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Residential Plumbing Permit in Missoula, Montana

Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in Missoula residential properties, including water heater replacement. Governed by the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code as amended by the State of Montana. A statewide homeowner exemption under MCA 50-60-506(4) allows an owner-occupant to do their own plumbing work without a license.

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Apply online through Accela Citizen Access
  • Installing or replacing an electric or gas water heater requires a plumbing permit
  • For 1-2 family dwellings, plumbing scope is field-verified rather than plan-reviewed
  • Commercial plumbing projects require plans designed by a licensed professional or master plumber unless otherwise approved
  • Under MCA 50-60-506(4), an owner of a single-family dwelling who personally performs plumbing work in the dwelling they will occupy (not built for resale speculation or as a rental) is exempt from the plumbing permit/license requirement, but must still comply with code

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Plumbing Permit Issuance — for issuing each permitCity of Missoula FY26 Building-MEP Fee Schedule (Resolution 8887), Section C.1.a
$43.00
Water heater installation or replacement (storage tank type)City of Missoula FY26 Building-MEP Fee Schedule, Section C.2.b
$16.00
Installation, relocation, or replacement of plumbing fixture, trap, or stub-outCity of Missoula FY26 Building-MEP Fee Schedule, Section C.2.a
$16.00
Repair or alteration of drainage or vent pipingCity of Missoula FY26 Building-MEP Fee Schedule, Section C.2.d
$16.00
Lawn sprinkler or fire protection system, or any one meter (including backflow protection device)City of Missoula FY26 Building-MEP Fee Schedule, Section C.2.e
$16.00
Gray water system installationCity of Missoula FY26 Building-MEP Fee Schedule, Section C.2.k
$100.00

Review timeline

Plan reviewMissoula’s published plan-review target
2–3 business days

How long did your Residential Plumbing 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

    Rough-In

    After pipes installed, before wall cover

  2. 2

    Final

    Fixtures connected, no leaks, venting verified

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

Tips

  • Water heater replacement requires a plumbing permit; the fee is a flat $16.00 for a storage-tank-type water heater per the FY26 fee schedule.
  • A homeowner performing plumbing work personally in the single-family home they will occupy is exempt from the state plumbing permit/license requirement under MCA 50-60-506(4) — this exemption does NOT apply to rental or spec-built properties.
  • The 'issuing each permit' base fee of $43.00 applies in addition to the per-fixture/per-scope fee.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, a plumbing permit is required for water heater installation or replacement. Storage-tank-type water heater replacement carries a $16.00 fee per the City of Missoula FY26 Building-MEP Fee Schedule, plus the $43.00 permit issuance fee.

In Missoula, the published Plumbing Permit Issuance — for issuing each permit is: $43.00. Additional published fees: Water heater installation or replacement (storage tank type) — $16.00; Installation, relocation, or replacement of plumbing fixture, trap, or stub-out — $16.00; Repair or alteration of drainage or vent piping — $16.00; Lawn sprinkler or fire protection system, or any one meter (including backflow protection device) — $16.00; Gray water system installation — $100.00. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Missoula's published plan-review target for a residential plumbing permit is 2–3 business days.

You'll need: Plumbing Permit Application (Accela Citizen Access). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Missoula requires 2 inspection(s) for a residential plumbing permit, in order: Rough-In, 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.

If you own and will occupy a single-family dwelling (not a rental or spec-built home), Montana's homeowner exemption (MCA 50-60-506(4)) allows you to do the plumbing work yourself without a plumbing license. A City permit and inspection are still required.

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

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Residential Plumbing Permit in other cities

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