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Residential Addition / Remodel / Alteration Permit in Helena, Montana

Required for additions, remodels, and structural alterations to existing one- and two-family dwellings within Helena city limits, using the same valuation-based fee schedule and 2021 IRC review standards as new construction.

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Room additions, structural modifications, and any alteration affecting the load path, egress, or fire-resistive construction of the dwelling
  • Same universal Permit Application form as new construction, with project description identifying scope as addition/remodel/alteration
  • Energy compliance documentation required where the addition affects conditioned floor area (IECC Climate Zone 6)
  • Structural drawings and calculations required for any structural modification, stamped by a Montana-licensed engineer if the work is an 'irregular structure' under IRC R301.2.2.6
  • Applicable setback (City Code 11-4-2) and lot coverage (City Code 11-4-1) zoning requirements must be met regardless of building permit applicability

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (same Building Permit Fee Tabulation table as new construction)Ordinance 3134; valuation is the greater of the stated contract cost of the addition/remodel or the applicable square-foot valuation
Per Ordinance 3134 Appendix A valuation table — $22.00 minimum up to $4,955.00 for the first $1,000,000 plus $2.75 per additional $1,000
Plan Review (Plan Check) FeePer the City's November 2022 worked fee example
65% of the Building Permit Fee

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Helena building department
~5–10 business days

How long did your Residential Addition / Remodel / Alteration Permit 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 (if new footings)

    Before concrete pour, if the addition includes new foundation work

  2. 2

    Framing

    After framing complete, before insulation or wall cover

  3. 3

    Final

    Approved final inspection required before occupying the addition

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

Tips

  • Helena uses the identical valuation-based fee table (Ordinance 3134) for additions/remodels as for new construction — there is no separate flat-rate schedule for typical remodel scopes.
  • Setback and lot coverage zoning rules under City Code Title 11 apply to additions regardless of whether the addition itself requires a building permit.

Frequently asked questions

Helena requires a residential addition / remodel / alteration permit for: Room additions, structural modifications, and any alteration affecting the load path, egress, or fire-resistive construction of the dwelling; Same universal Permit Application form as new construction, with project description identifying scope as addition/remodel/alteration; Energy compliance documentation required where the addition affects conditioned floor area (IECC Climate Zone 6); Structural drawings and calculations required for any structural modification, stamped by a Montana-licensed engineer if the work is an 'irregular structure' under IRC R301.2.2.6; Applicable setback (City Code 11-4-2) and lot coverage (City Code 11-4-1) zoning requirements must be met regardless of building permit applicability. 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 Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (same Building Permit Fee Tabulation table as new construction) is: Per Ordinance 3134 Appendix A valuation table — $22.00 minimum up to $4,955.00 for the first $1,000,000 plus $2.75 per additional $1,000. Additional published fees: Plan Review (Plan Check) Fee — 65% of the Building Permit Fee. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a residential addition / remodel / alteration permit in Helena typically runs 5–10 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: Permit Application (City of Helena Building Division); Residential One- and Two-Family Dwelling Plan Submittal Requirements; Site Plan. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Helena requires 3 inspection(s) for a residential addition / remodel / alteration permit, in order: Foundation (if new footings), Framing, 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.

No — the City of Helena uses the same Ordinance 3134 valuation-based Building Permit Fee Tabulation table for additions and remodels as for new construction, based on the greater of your stated contract value or the applicable square-foot valuation.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.

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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Residential Addition / Remodel / Alteration Permit in other cities

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