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Commercial Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels, Tenant Improvements, Multi-Family 3+ Units) in Helena, Montana

Required for new commercial construction, commercial additions and remodels, tenant-improvement/tenant-finish build-outs, and multi-family construction of three units or more within Helena city limits. Reviewed under the International Building Code (IBC) edition currently adopted by the State of Montana, incorporated by reference into Helena City Code Section 3-2-1 (Ord. 3280, amended by Ord. 3301) -- presently the 2021 IBC. Helena's own certified local building program handles this permit directly: the Montana Department of Labor and Industry's published list of certified city, county and town programs shows Helena certified for Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical ("B, P, E, M") without the "(residential only)" qualifier the same list attaches to several other Montana cities, meaning the certification covers commercial construction and is not limited to one- and two-family dwellings. The Montana DLI's own Building Codes Program office happens to be headquartered in Helena, but that state agency is not the permitting authority for construction inside Helena city limits -- it is the direct issuing authority only for unincorporated Lewis and Clark County and other Montana jurisdictions that lack their own certified program. Commercial projects are billed on the same Ordinance 3134 valuation-based Building Permit Fee Tabulation table and the same 65% plan-review-fee rate as residential construction in Helena -- there is no separate, higher commercial plan-review percentage published, unlike some neighboring Montana cities that split the rate by project type.

Verified 2026-08-26 · Source

When you need this permit

  • New construction, additions, remodels, or tenant-improvement/tenant-finish build-outs of a commercial structure, or new construction of a multi-family building with three or more dwelling units, within Helena city limits
  • Reviewed under the IBC edition currently adopted by the State of Montana (presently the 2021 IBC, per Administrative Rules of Montana Title 24, Chapter 301), which Helena City Code Section 3-2-1 adopts and incorporates by reference rather than restating a fixed year in the city's own ordinance text
  • Application submitted on the same universal Permit Application form used for residential building permits -- Helena publishes no separate commercial-specific application form
  • Multi-Family & Commercial Plan Submittal Requirements checklist (November 2022) must accompany the application, covering site/civil plans, a building code analysis sheet (occupancy type, construction type, square footage, occupant load, fire-resistive construction and sprinkler/alarm requirements), architectural plans, and structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical plans and calculations each stamped by a Montana-licensed engineer
  • That same checklist lists the City's currently applicable codes as of October 26, 2022: 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 UPC, 2020 NEC, and the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC) -- the fire code listed is an older edition than the 2021-cycle codes used for building, mechanical, plumbing, and energy
  • A Foundation Permit (partial permit) application is available for commercial projects, allowing foundation work to begin under a separate application ahead of the full building permit -- distinct from a jurisdiction that requires the entire scope of work approved before any permit issues
  • Verification of energy-code compliance with the 2021 IECC or ASHRAE 90.1 is required; Helena and Lewis and Clark County are in Climate Zone 6
  • Installing an actual fire sprinkler, fire alarm, clean-agent suppression, or commercial kitchen hood extinguishing system requires Helena's separate Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Permit, administered jointly by the Community Development Department Building Division and the Helena Fire Department -- not the Montana State Fire Marshal -- rather than being folded into this building permit
  • A change to the building's or a tenant space's IBC occupancy classification requires Helena's separate Change of Occupancy Permit, billed on an hourly basis rather than this permit's valuation-based fee
  • Certificate of Occupancy / final inspection approval required before occupying the structure

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee -- valuation-based (same table used for residential construction)Building Permit Fee Tabulation, Figure 1 (Appendix A), Ordinance 3134 -- City of Helena Building and Plan Review Fees packet (November 2022); the same table documented under this jurisdiction's residential-building-permit entry
Per Ordinance 3134 Appendix A Building Permit Fee Tabulation -- $22.00 for $0-$500 valuation, ranging up to $4,955.00 for the first $1,000,000 plus $2.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof; no separate, higher commercial-only tier is published
Plan Review (Plan Check) FeeCity of Helena Building Permit Valuation Fee Calculation Example (November 2022): a $2,140.00 building permit fee produced a $1,391.00 plan check fee (65.00%); the packet applies this single rate without a residential/commercial split
65% of the calculated Building Permit Fee
Commercial/Multi-Family Valuation Basis
City of Helena Building and Plan Review Fees packet, Square Foot Construction Costs table (dated as of 3-6-2023 on the posted copy); Show full citationCity of Helena Building and Plan Review Fees packet, Square Foot Construction Costs table (dated as of 3-6-2023 on the posted copy); Ordinance 3134, item #25.b, referencing 'the cost per square foot figures for the type and quality of construction listed in the most current "Building Valuation Data" table published by the International Code Council (ICC) in the "Building Safety Journal" magazine, as regionally modified'
Greater of the applicant's stated construction contract dollar amount, or the Square Foot Construction Costs valuation table broken out by 2021 IBC occupancy group (e.g. B Business, M Mercantile, A-2 restaurants/bars, R-2 multi-family, S-1/S-2 storage) and construction type (IA through VB)

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Commercial Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels, Tenant Improvements, Multi-Family 3+ Units) permit actually take in Helena?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Foundation / Footing

    Before concrete pour; may be scheduled under a separate Foundation Permit ahead of the full building permit

  2. 2

    Framing

    After framing complete, before insulation or wall cover; verifies fire-resistive construction assemblies identified on the building code analysis sheet

  3. 3

    Mechanical / Plumbing / Electrical Rough-In

    Rough-in of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems before walls closed

  4. 4

    Final

    Required approved final inspection prior to Certificate of Occupancy and occupying the structure

See the full Helena inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Helena bills commercial building permits and plan review off the identical Ordinance 3134 valuation table and 65% plan-check rate used for residential construction -- budget the same way you would for a residential project of the same valuation, since there is no separate, higher commercial percentage published.
  • Helena's own certified local program covers this permit -- the Montana DLI Building Codes Program office sits in Helena and administers construction only in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County and other non-certified Montana jurisdictions, not inside Helena city limits.
  • A fire sprinkler, fire alarm, or fire suppression system installation is not part of this building permit -- it requires Helena's separate Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Permit, reviewed jointly by the Building Division and the Helena Fire Department.
  • A commercial project that also changes a space's occupancy classification needs Helena's separate Change of Occupancy Permit (billed hourly) in addition to this valuation-based building permit.
  • The City's Multi-Family & Commercial Plan Submittal Requirements checklist (November 2022) lists the 2012 International Fire Code as a currently applicable code alongside the 2021-cycle IBC, IRC, IMC, IEBC, IECC, IFGC, and the 2020 NEC -- confirm which fire-code edition applies to your project with the Building Division before finalizing life-safety plans.
  • A Foundation Permit (partial permit) is available if you need to begin footing/foundation work before the full commercial building permit is issued.

Frequently asked questions

Helena requires a commercial building permit (new construction, additions, remodels, tenant improvements, multi-family 3+ units) for: New construction, additions, remodels, or tenant-improvement/tenant-finish build-outs of a commercial structure, or new construction of a multi-family building with three or more dwelling units, within Helena city limits; Reviewed under the IBC edition currently adopted by the State of Montana (presently the 2021 IBC, per Administrative Rules of Montana Title 24, Chapter 301), which Helena City Code Section 3-2-1 adopts and incorporates by reference rather than restating a fixed year in the city's own ordinance text; Application submitted on the same universal Permit Application form used for residential building permits -- Helena publishes no separate commercial-specific application form; Multi-Family & Commercial Plan Submittal Requirements checklist (November 2022) must accompany the application, covering site/civil plans, a building code analysis sheet (occupancy type, construction type, square footage, occupant load, fire-resistive construction and sprinkler/alarm requirements), architectural plans, and structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical plans and calculations each stamped by a Montana-licensed engineer; That same checklist lists the City's currently applicable codes as of October 26, 2022: 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 UPC, 2020 NEC, and the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC) -- the fire code listed is an older edition than the 2021-cycle codes used for building, mechanical, plumbing, and energy; A Foundation Permit (partial permit) application is available for commercial projects, allowing foundation work to begin under a separate application ahead of the full building permit -- distinct from a jurisdiction that requires the entire scope of work approved before any permit issues; Verification of energy-code compliance with the 2021 IECC or ASHRAE 90.1 is required; Helena and Lewis and Clark County are in Climate Zone 6; Installing an actual fire sprinkler, fire alarm, clean-agent suppression, or commercial kitchen hood extinguishing system requires Helena's separate Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Permit, administered jointly by the Community Development Department Building Division and the Helena Fire Department -- not the Montana State Fire Marshal -- rather than being folded into this building permit; A change to the building's or a tenant space's IBC occupancy classification requires Helena's separate Change of Occupancy Permit, billed on an hourly basis rather than this permit's valuation-based fee; Certificate of Occupancy / final inspection approval required before occupying the structure. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Helena — Community Development Department, Building Division at (406) 447-8438 before starting work.

No. Per the City's own Building Permit Valuation Fee Calculation Example, the Plan Check Fee is 65% of the Building Permit Fee for both residential and commercial projects -- Helena does not publish a separate, higher commercial-only plan-review percentage.

Helena does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Helena — Community Development Department, Building Division at (406) 447-8438 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Permit Application (City of Helena Building Division); Multi-Family & Commercial Plan Submittal Requirements (November 2022). Depending on your project, Helena may also ask for: Foundation Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Helena requires 4 inspection(s) for a commercial building permit (new construction, additions, remodels, tenant improvements, multi-family 3+ units), in order: Foundation / Footing, Framing, Mechanical / Plumbing / Electrical Rough-In, Final. Schedule each through City of Helena — Community Development Department, Building Division ((406) 447-8438).

Apply through City of Helena — Community Development Department, Building Division at 316 N. Park Avenue, Room 435, Helena, MT 59623. Phone: (406) 447-8438, email: CityBuilding@helenamt.gov. Office hours: City County Building, 316 N Park Ave, Helena, MT 59623; applications and permits also processed online via Civic Access (helenamt.gov/business/civic-access/). Official information: https://www.helenamt.gov/Departments/Community-Development/Building.

Helena City Code Section 3-2-1 adopts and incorporates by reference the International Building Code edition currently adopted by the State of Montana under Administrative Rules of Montana Title 24, Chapter 301 -- presently the 2021 IBC, effective statewide June 11, 2022.

No. The City of Helena's own Building Division is certified by the Montana DLI Building Codes Program for Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical work -- without the residential-only qualifier the state's certified-jurisdiction list attaches to some other Montana cities -- so the City issues and inspects commercial building permits directly within Helena city limits. The DLI Building Codes Program office is physically located in Helena but functions as the direct permitting authority only for unincorporated Lewis and Clark County and other Montana jurisdictions without their own certified program.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-08-26.

Fee schedules

Applications & forms

Codes & ordinances

Department & other records

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Helena building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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