Solar PV / Alternative Energy Permit (State-Issued) in Conrad, Montana

Conrad requires a solar pv / alternative energy permit (state-issued) for: Complete the state's Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1 series, Rev. 11/25): identify the alternative energy type as Solar and the system type (PV String System, Generator, or Micro Inverter/AC Module System); If the system will produce 90 or more volts, the electrical work must be performed by a Montana-licensed electrical contractor unless the homeowner is doing the work on their own private house; If the project involves a grid-tied alternative energy generator (virtually all net-metered residential/commercial solar), a licensed electrical contractor must obtain an ADDITIONAL permit for the final utility interconnection — stated directly on the state application form; Mail the completed application and fee to Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or apply online at https://aca-prod.accela.com/bcb/; Because Conrad holds full DLI Building certification, a separate City of Conrad Building Permit application is likely required for the roof-mount racking/structural attachment portion of the installation — confirm with the City of Conrad building department. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Conrad Building & Zoning Department — Building Official Keith Thaut; city-certified for Building (B) permits only. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits within Conrad city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. at (406) 271-5821 before starting work.

The state's Application for Alternative Energy Permit lists a flat $45 fee under 'Residential Change of Service,' which applies to residential grid-tied solar. Commercial solar is billed on the state's tiered valuation-based fee schedule (e.g., $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance for projects up to $1,000).

Conrad does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Conrad Building & Zoning Department — Building Official Keith Thaut; city-certified for Building (B) permits only. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits within Conrad city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. at (406) 271-5821 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Application for Alternative Energy Permit. Depending on your project, Conrad may also ask for: City of Conrad Building Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Conrad requires 2 inspection(s) for a solar pv / alternative energy permit (state-issued), in order: Rough-In (Electrical), Final Interconnection. Schedule each through City of Conrad Building & Zoning Department — Building Official Keith Thaut; city-certified for Building (B) permits only. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits within Conrad city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. ((406) 271-5821).

Apply through City of Conrad Building & Zoning Department — Building Official Keith Thaut; city-certified for Building (B) permits only. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits within Conrad city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. at 413 South Main Street, Conrad, MT 59425-2337. Phone: (406) 271-5821, email: office@cityofconrad.com. Office hours: City Hall: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Building Inspector Keith Thaut should be called directly at (406) 271-5821 before construction begins so inspections can be scheduled; approval times from the Building Inspector may vary. Building & Zoning general line (406) 271-3623, fax (406) 271-5602..

Conrad, Montana has adopted: Montana has a mandatory statewide building code administered by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Building Codes Bureau, amended by the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Title 24, Chapter 301. Cities, counties, and towns may become 'certified' to locally administer permitting and inspection for all or part of the code; non-certified trades in a partially-certified jurisdiction fall under direct state administration by the DLI Building Codes Bureau. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Certified City, County and Town Programs (bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits).; Conrad is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building (B) ONLY within city limits; certified building official on file with DLI: Keith Thaut, (406) 271-5821. Verified directly against the DLI Building Codes Bureau's 'Montana Certified Local Government Program' roster PDF, updated 04/22/2026: 'Conrad | B | Keith Thaut | 271-5821 | City Limits'. Source: https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf; City of Conrad Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 1 (Building Codes and Regulations), Section 4-1-1 (Adoption of Codes), last amended by Ordinance 425 (8-9-2022): adopts 'the state building code' referenced in Mont. Code Ann. Section 50-60-203 (2021), consisting of: (1) International Building Code (IBC), 2021 Edition, as described in and amended by ARM 24.301.131; (2) International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 Edition, as described in and amended by ARM 24.301.154; (3) International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2021 Edition, as amended by ARM 24.301.161; (4) International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2021 Edition, as described in and amended by ARM 24.301.171. Source: City of Conrad Municipal Code 4-1-1, https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/conradmt/latest/conrad_mt/0-0-0-728 (also verified via the City's own Building Permit Packet PDF); The City's Building Permit Packet 'Validity of Permit/Disclaimer' form (signed by every applicant) additionally names the International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Piping Code, ICC A117.1 Accessibility Standards, the Uniform Plumbing Code, and the National Electrical Code as codes/standards referenced for construction in Conrad — consistent with the statewide code set enforced by the DLI even though Conrad itself is not separately certified in the Mechanical/Plumbing/Electrical trades. Source: City of Conrad Building Permit Packet PDF (Validity of Permit/Disclaimer page), https://www.cityofconrad.com/_files/ugd/984806_971dc8cb30b84475b0f2cd026eed99df.pdf; Per the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's Current Codes page (statewide effective date June 11, 2022): 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC, 2021 ISPSC, 2021 UPC, 2020 NEC, 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessibility. Conrad's own municipal code (Title 4-1-1) names the same 2021 IBC/IRC/IECC/IEBC editions without authoring independently amended code text, consistent with a small B-only-certified jurisdiction enforcing the state-adopted editions. Source: bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/current-codes. Local amendments apply — see the Conrad overview page for the full list.

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau issues the electrical/interconnection permit for solar PV in Conrad, using its statewide Application for Alternative Energy Permit — not the City, since Conrad holds no DLI Electrical certification. The roof-mount/racking structural portion is likely handled by the City of Conrad's own Building Permit, since Conrad is DLI-certified for Building.