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Fire Alarm System Permit in Missoula, Montana

Required for installation of new fire alarm systems, additions to existing systems, and fire alarm alterations/tenant-improvement work within Missoula city limits. Plan review and inspection are performed by the Missoula Fire Department's Fire Prevention Bureau, coordinated with the underlying Commercial or Residential Building Permit for new construction and additions. The Fire Prevention Bureau bills fire alarm work as a distinct fee category from fire sprinkler work, with its own plan-review and inspection line items.

Verified 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Fire alarm system plans must be prepared and, where required, stamped by a licensed fire alarm contractor or engineer
  • New-construction/addition fire alarm work is billed per square foot of protected floor area; alteration/tenant-improvement fire alarm work is billed at a separate, lower per-square-foot rate
  • Sprinkler flow-monitoring-only devices (no full alarm system) are billed under a separate 'Flow Monitoring Only' flat fee rather than the square-footage schedule
  • Coordinate submittal timing with the underlying Commercial or Residential Building Permit application through Accela Citizen Access
  • Contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at (406) 552-6210 or firebureau@ci.missoula.mt.us for scope-specific questions

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Fire Alarm Plan Review — New Construction/Additions, 5,000 sf and belowCity of Missoula FY26 Fire Fee Schedule, Plan Review Fees
$303.00 (plus $22.00 per additional 1,000 sf over 5,000 sf)
Fire Alarm Plan Review — Alterations/Tenant Improvements, 5,000 sf and belowCity of Missoula FY26 Fire Fee Schedule, Plan Review Fees
$31.00 (plus $1.00 per additional 1,000 sf over 5,000 sf)
Fire Alarm Final Inspection — New Construction/Additions, 5,000 sf and belowCity of Missoula FY26 Fire Fee Schedule, Inspection Fees
$247.00 (plus $18.00 per additional 1,000 sf over 5,000 sf)
Fire Alarm Final Inspection — Existing Systems, 5,000 sf and belowCity of Missoula FY26 Fire Fee Schedule, Inspection Fees
$41.00 (plus $2.00 per additional 1,000 sf over 5,000 sf)
Flow Monitoring Only (flat fee)City of Missoula FY26 Fire Fee Schedule, Fire Protection Flat Fees
Review $255.00 / Inspection $111.00

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Fire Alarm System Permit permit actually take in Missoula?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Alarm Rough-In / Wiring

    Device and wiring rough-in inspected before concealment

  2. 2

    Fire Alarm Final

    System tested and verified operational, including device activation and monitoring-company connection; required before Certificate of Occupancy issuance

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

Tips

  • Sprinkler flow-monitoring-only installations (no full alarm system) are billed under a separate flat 'Flow Monitoring Only' fee ($255 review / $111 inspection) rather than the square-footage schedule.
  • Alteration/tenant-improvement fire alarm work is billed at a much lower per-square-foot rate than new construction — confirm which category applies before budgeting.
  • For questions on alarm or sprinkler requirements, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at (406) 552-6210; service companies typically also schedule the required recurring annual inspections.

Frequently asked questions

Missoula requires a fire alarm system permit for: Fire alarm system plans must be prepared and, where required, stamped by a licensed fire alarm contractor or engineer; New-construction/addition fire alarm work is billed per square foot of protected floor area; alteration/tenant-improvement fire alarm work is billed at a separate, lower per-square-foot rate; Sprinkler flow-monitoring-only devices (no full alarm system) are billed under a separate 'Flow Monitoring Only' flat fee rather than the square-footage schedule; Coordinate submittal timing with the underlying Commercial or Residential Building Permit application through Accela Citizen Access; Contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at (406) 552-6210 or firebureau@ci.missoula.mt.us for scope-specific questions. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Missoula Development Services — Building Division (Community Planning, Development & Innovation) at (406) 552-6630 before starting work.

For new construction/additions, plan review is $303 for systems up to 5,000 sf (plus $22 per additional 1,000 sf) and the final inspection is $247 up to 5,000 sf (plus $18 per additional 1,000 sf), per the FY26 Fire Fee Schedule.

Missoula does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Missoula Development Services — Building Division (Community Planning, Development & Innovation) at (406) 552-6630 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Fire Alarm System Plans. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Missoula requires 2 inspection(s) for a fire alarm system permit, in order: Alarm Rough-In / Wiring, Fire Alarm Final. Schedule each through City of Missoula Development Services — Building Division (Community Planning, Development & Innovation) ((406) 552-6630).

Apply through City of Missoula Development Services — Building Division (Community Planning, Development & Innovation) at 435 Ryman St., Missoula, MT 59802. Phone: (406) 552-6630, email: BLDG@ci.missoula.mt.us. Office hours: Permit/application questions: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, (406) 552-6060, coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us. Building code questions: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, (406) 552-6630, BLDG@ci.missoula.mt.us. Inspection scheduling: (406) 552-6040 or text (888) 413-4439.. Official information: https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/3202/Building-Division.

Missoula, Montana has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective in Missoula September 1, 2022 per Missoula Municipal Code (MMC) 15.04.010; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective September 1, 2022 per MMC 15.04.010; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective September 1, 2022 per MMC 15.04.010; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective September 1, 2022 per MMC 15.04.010; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective September 1, 2022 per MMC 15.04.010; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective September 1, 2022 per MMC 15.04.010; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective September 1, 2022 per MMC 15.04.010; 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective September 1, 2022 per MMC 15.04.010; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) — as amended by the State of Montana; effective September 1, 2022 per MMC 15.04.010; 2021 Wildland Urban Interface Code — statewide adoption by the Montana Building Codes Bureau, Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Title 24, Chapter 301. Local amendments apply — see the Missoula overview page for the full list.

The Missoula Fire Department's Fire Prevention Bureau reviews and inspects fire alarm systems, coordinating with Development Services on the underlying building permit. Contact the Bureau at (406) 552-6210 or firebureau@ci.missoula.mt.us.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-22.

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 Missoula building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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