Residential Addition / Remodel / Alteration Permit in Livingston, Montana
VerifiedRequired for additions, remodels, alterations, and exterior decks affecting existing one- and two-family dwellings in Livingston, including changes to door/window openings and moving or adding walls. Reviewed against the 2021 IRC as adopted locally. Uses the same Building Permit Application as new construction.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Building permit required per City of Livingston FAQs for: any structural work, changing door or window openings, moving or adding walls, and building exterior decks
- Two complete sets of plans (site plan, cross-section(s), elevation(s), foundation/floor plan as applicable to scope) submitted with the Building Permit Application
- Detached, one-story residential storage buildings 120 sq. ft. or smaller are exempt from the building permit requirement
- Commercial alterations, even minor, will almost always require a permit to verify life-safety code compliance for the occupancy
Required documents
- Required
Building Permit Application
City of Livingston Building Department Permit Application (Residential category)
- Required
Construction Drawings
Site plan and structural/framing details showing scope of work and connection to the existing structure
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (same schedule as new construction) | $23.50 minimum ($1.00-$500.00 valuation), scaling per the City of Livingston Fee Schedule Building Fees table | City of Livingston Fee Schedule (Resolution 5181, approved 2/03/2026) |
| Plan Review Fee (projects over $15,000) | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | City of Livingston Fee Schedule (Resolution 5181, approved 2/03/2026) |
| Other Building Inspection Fees (after-hours, unlisted inspection, additional plan review) | Overtime rate + benefits of assistant building inspector (currently $53.89/hour); 2-hour minimum after-hours, 1/2-hour minimum otherwise | City of Livingston Fee Schedule (Resolution 5181, approved 2/03/2026) |
Review timeline
1–10 business days
Livingston’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Footing/Foundation
Required before concrete pour for additions, deck posts, or foundation work
- 2
Framing
Structural framing and connections to the existing structure verified before walls are closed
- 3
Final
Completed work verified against approved plans
Tips
- A residential storage shed 120 sq. ft. or smaller (one-story, detached) does not need a Livingston building permit — smaller than the 200 sq. ft. threshold used in Billings.
- Exterior decks explicitly require a building permit per the City's FAQ, unlike some jurisdictions that exempt low decks.
- Setbacks and lot coverage are governed by Livingston Municipal Code Chapter 30 (Zoning) — confirm with the Planning Department, (406) 222-4903, before finalizing a site plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to build a deck or add a room in Livingston?
- Yes. Building permits are required for any structural work, including building exterior decks, moving or adding walls, and changing door or window openings, per the City of Livingston FAQs page.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Livingston Building & Planning Department (Building Division) — city-certified for Building and Swimming Pool permits only; Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau — official building department
- FAQs | City of Livingston
- Building Permit Application (PDF) | City of Livingston
- City Fee Schedule (PDF, approved 2/03/2026) | City of Livingston
- MCA 50-60-106(2)(c) — 10-working-day permit/disapproval requirement for certified jurisdictions
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 Livingston building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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