Electrical Permit in Helena, Montana

Helena requires an electrical permit for: Electrical permits must be obtained by a State of Montana licensed Master electrical contractor, and wiring must be performed by a State of Montana licensed electrician, except as provided by MCA 50-60-602; Separate Residential and Commercial Electrical permit applications and fee schedules; Work exempt from permit: minor repairs (lamp replacement, connecting approved portable equipment to approved permanently-installed receptacles), radio/TV transmission equipment wiring (though towers/antennas and power-supply wiring still require a permit), and temporary testing systems; Governed by the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted statewide by Montana effective June 11, 2022, subject to Technical Advisory NEC_TIA-23-3_210.8 (issued August 12, 2022). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Helena — Community Development Department, Building Division at (406) 447-8438 before starting work.

In Helena, the published Residential Electrical — Temporary construction service is: $35.00. Additional published fees: Residential Electrical — Single-family dwelling/cabin, 100 to 300 amp service (includes garage wired at same time) — $182.00 (includes maximum of three inspections); Residential Electrical — Single-family dwelling/cabin, 301 amp or larger service — $280.00 (includes maximum of three inspections); Residential Electrical — Interior rewire only or new addition to a home — $56.00; Residential Electrical — Private accessory building, up to 200 amp panel — $56.00; Residential Electrical — Change of service (and reconnection to distribution panel) — $35.00; Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Electrical — Installation cost $0-$500 — $42.00; Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Electrical — Installation cost $501-$1,000 — $42.00 for first $500 plus 8.4% of the balance; Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Electrical — Installation cost $50,001 or more — $616.00 for first $50,000 plus 0.42% of the balance; Requested electrical inspection or re-inspection (beyond original permit scope) — $56.00 for up to 1 hour; $28.00 for each additional 30 minutes or fraction. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for an electrical permit in Helena typically runs 1–5 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Helena — Community Development Department, Building Division at (406) 447-8438.

You'll need: Residential Electrical Permit Application; Commercial Electrical Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Helena requires 2 inspection(s) for an electrical permit, in order: 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, Montana has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; enforced by the City of Helena within city limits under its DLI-certified Building Code Enforcement Program; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), for One- and Two-Family Dwellings — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; City of Helena Building Division is the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for one- and two-family dwellings under IRC Chapters 8 and 9, including roofing/re-roofing; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; ICC A117.1-2017 (Accessibility) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; City of Helena is certified to enforce plumbing (P) within city limits; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; City of Helena is certified to enforce mechanical (M) within city limits; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022 (Technical Advisory NEC_TIA-23-3_210.8 issued August 12, 2022); City of Helena is certified to enforce electrical (E) within city limits; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022; 2021 Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Code — Montana statewide adoption, effective June 11, 2022 (Helena is NOT listed as WUI-certified; WUI enforcement in Helena's jurisdiction area is not confirmed — see notes); Statewide code administered by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI), Business Standards Division, Building Codes Program (formerly/also referenced as the Building Codes Bureau) — Mont. Code Ann. Title 50, Chapter 60, Parts 1-4. Local amendments apply — see the Helena overview page for the full list.

Electrical permits must be obtained by a State of Montana licensed Master electrical contractor, and the wiring must be performed by a State of Montana licensed electrician, except as provided by MCA 50-60-602.