You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-05.
City of Deer Lodge building permits
VerifiedCity of Deer Lodge, Montana — as published 2026-07-05.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family residential construction, additions, remodels, and a wide range of specific residential scopes (fences, windows/doors, siding, decks, roofing, stairs/ramps, egress windows, demolition) within Deer Lodge city limits. Issued and reviewed LOCALLY by the City of Deer Lodge Building Inspector (Sean Beach) — Deer Lodge is a Montana-certified local government for Building permitting (residential only), per the state Building Codes Bureau's certified-jurisdiction roster. Reviewed against the 2021 IRC/IBC (Administrative Rules of Montana, Title 24, chapter 301). The city's own portal explicitly states mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and COMMERCIAL building permits are reviewed by the State of Montana, not the city.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Submit application through the City of Deer Lodge's online iWorQ portal (fill required fields, upload plans/documents) or in person/by mail at City Hall, 300 Main Street
- Have a contractor access code ready before starting an online application, per the portal's own instructions
- Application fee must be paid before the permit is reviewed, EXCEPT for plan-review submissions and new-structure permits, which are priced individually by the Building Inspector and processed on that basis
- Many common residential scopes (fences, window/door header changes, partial or full siding, partial or full roofing, decks, stairs/ADA ramps/landings, egress windows, demolition) use the flat per-scope fee schedule below rather than a valuation table
- New construction and any scope requiring plan review is NOT on the flat fee schedule — contact the Building Inspector directly for pricing
- Starting work without a permit doubles the original permit fee, per Appendix L of the 2021 International Residential Code as adopted on the city's fee schedule
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (iWorQ online portal)City of Deer Lodge's online permitting system (deerlodgemt2.portal.iworq.net); applicant fills required fields, uploads plans/documents, then returns to search for the permit and pay the application fee
- OptionalBuilding Permit Fee ScheduleCity of Deer Lodge published flat-fee table for common residential scopes; contact Building Inspector Dan Green/Sean Beach for new-structure and plan-review pricing not listed on the schedule
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fence (after zoning compliance) | $20 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Windows & Doors with Header Changes | $20 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule — includes all windows & doors done at one time; if done using separate permits, price is per permit |
| Siding: Partial House (up to 50% of entire house) | $20 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Stairs, ADA Ramps & Landings | $20 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Roof: Partial House (up to 50% of entire roof) | $20 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Demolition | $20 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Egress Window: with excavation and egress area well | $40 (otherwise $45) | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule — includes all egress windows done at one time; if done using separate permits, price is per permit |
| Siding: Entire House | $40 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Deck or Decks | $40 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Roof: Entire House | $40 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Plan Review (if necessary) | $35 to $150 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| All Other Permits (including new construction) | Priced per Appendix L of the 2021 International Residential Code Book; Building Inspector contacts applicant directly for new-structure and plan-review pricing | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule; also confirmed on the iWorQ portal description |
| Starting Without a Permit | Double the original fee | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule, citing Appendix L, 2021 IRC |
Electrical Permit
VerifiedRequired for electrical installations, alterations, service changes, and panel upgrades in the City of Deer Lodge. Electrical permitting is NOT locally certified in Deer Lodge — it is issued and inspected DIRECTLY by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Bureau, under the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), effective June 11, 2022. Confirmed both by the state's certified-jurisdiction roster (Deer Lodge City listed with a 'B (residential only)' designation only, no 'E') and by the city's own permit portal description.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- State electrical permits are required on all electrical work performed in Montana except in cities/counties/towns certified to issue electrical permits — the City of Deer Lodge is NOT certified for electrical, so all electrical work there requires a State Electrical Permit
- Work must be performed by a Montana-licensed electrical contractor (Residential or Commercial Electrical Permit) OR by the homeowner personally on their own owner-occupied home under a Homeowner Electrical Permit
- Application for Residential/Homeowner/Commercial/Alternative Energy Electrical Permit submitted to the Building Codes Bureau with applicable fee(s), or applied for online at aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
- All wiring must meet the requirements of the National Electrical Code (2020 Edition, as amended by ARM Title 24, chapter 301)
- Electrical permit holders must call for rough-in and final inspections, giving 48 hours' notice before covering up work
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical PermitState Building Codes Bureau form BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); for licensed electrical contractors performing work on single-family dwellings, cabins, accessory buildings, multi-family, mobile home courts, etc.
- OptionalApplication for Homeowner Electrical PermitState Building Codes Bureau form BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); for homeowners personally wiring their own owner-occupied home, garage, and premises
- OptionalApplication for Alternative Energy PermitState Building Codes Bureau form; for solar, wind, or hydro installations (PV String System, Micro Inverter/AC Module System, or Generator)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential — Up to 200-amp service (new single-family dwelling or cabin) | $200 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Residential — 201 to 400-amp service | $380 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Residential — 401 to 600-amp service | $600 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Residential — 601-amp service and up | $800 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 4+ circuits & change of service and/or interior panel | $120 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 4+ circuits, no panel board or service change | $100 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment | $70 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 1 additional circuit or piece of equipment | $45 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Residential Change of Service — exterior meter base, interior/exterior main disconnect only | $45 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Residential Change of Service — disconnect with feeder and distribution panelboard replacement | $75 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Private Property Accessory Building (garage, etc.) — up to 200-amp panel | $80 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Private Property Accessory Building — 201 to 300-amp panel | $150 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Private Property Accessory Building — 301-amp panel | $250 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Construction Service (Provisional Power) | $60 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Permit Renewal (expiration no more than 30 days) | $60 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Requested Inspection, per hour | $60 (plus $30 for each additional 30 minutes or fraction thereof beyond one hour, plus travel time) | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial Electrical — valuation $0 to $1,000 | $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance | Application for Alternative Energy Permit / Commercial fee chart, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial Electrical — valuation $1,001 to $10,000 | $75 for the first $1,000 plus 2% of the balance | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial Electrical — valuation $10,001 to $50,000 | $255 for the first $10,000 plus 0.5% of the balance | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial Electrical — valuation $50,001 or more | $455 for the first $50,000 plus 0.3% of the balance | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedRequired for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in the City of Deer Lodge. Plumbing is NOT locally certified in Deer Lodge — it is issued and inspected DIRECTLY by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Bureau, under the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), effective June 11, 2022.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- State plumbing permits are required for all plumbing work in Montana except in certified jurisdictions — the City of Deer Lodge is NOT certified for plumbing, so a State Plumbing Permit is required
- Work must be performed by, or under the direction of, a Montana-licensed Master Plumber; service of a licensed Master Plumber is required on all public/commercial buildings
- Homeowner exemption: a homeowner does not need a state plumbing permit if performing the installation themselves on their own owner-occupied residence, not built for resale or as a rental
- A plumbing inspection must be requested and conducted before any plumbing work is covered
- Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1) submitted to the Building Codes Bureau with applicable fee(s), or applied for online at aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Plumbing PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau form BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); lists fixtures/traps by type and the flat per-item fee schedule
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Each plumbing fixture or trap | $10 each | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Plumbing Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — covers bath tub, lavatory, shower, urinal, water closet, kitchen sink, service sink, wash/laundry tray, dishwasher, laundry box, car wash sump, ice machine, glass fill station, coffee maker, drinking fountain, dental chair, area drain, indirect waste, grease trap, bar sink, floor/mop sink, sump drain/lift station, glass washer, aspirator, X-ray tank, etc. |
| Each new water heater or replacement | $25 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Each connection of building water supply to water service/public utility or private well | $20 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Each connection of building drain to sewer system/public or septic | $20 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Gray water system, commercial or residential | $60 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Repair or alteration of drainage or vent piping | $30 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Alteration or repair of water piping and/or treatment | $30 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Each storm drain and storm drainage | $30 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Each lawn sprinkler, fire protection system, any meter, or backflow device | $30 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Each hose bibb, vacuum breaker, and/or backflow device | $6 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Each industrial water pre-treatment equipment including drainage and vent | $30 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Medical gas piping systems (per system) | $100 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); additional $10 per outlet if total outlets for all gases/vacuum piping exceed 20 |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and fuel-gas installations in the City of Deer Lodge. Mechanical is NOT locally certified in Deer Lodge — it is issued and inspected DIRECTLY by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Bureau, under the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), both effective June 11, 2022.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- A state mechanical permit is required for heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, restaurant kitchen hoods, and other mechanical systems on buildings to which state building permits are applicable and located outside cities/counties certified to issue their own mechanical permits — the City of Deer Lodge is not certified for mechanical
- Exemptions: farm and ranch buildings, mining buildings on mining property, petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except offices/shops), residential buildings containing fewer than five dwelling units (except when serving transient guests), and private garages/storage buildings for the owner's own use
- Application for Mechanical Permit (BCP-1) submitted to the Building Codes Bureau with applicable fee(s), or applied for online at aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
- Mechanical permit holders must call for gas piping pressure tests, rough-in, and final inspections, giving 48 hours' notice before covering up work
- All work must meet the International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code as adopted by Montana
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Mechanical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau form BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); valuation-based fee schedule with a worked fee-calculation example printed on the form
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit — project value $0 to $10,000 | $48 for the first $1,000 plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Mechanical Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25). Worked example on the form: a $9,460 project = $48 + 9 x $14 = $174 total. |
| Mechanical Permit — project value $10,001 to $50,000 | $166 for the first $10,000 plus $9 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Mechanical Permit — project value $50,001 or more | $514 for the first $50,000 plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
Demolition Permit
VerifiedRequired for demolition of a structure within Deer Lodge city limits, priced on the city's own Building Permit Fee Schedule as a flat $20 fee alongside other common residential scopes. Issued locally by the City of Deer Lodge Building Inspector through the same iWorQ application portal used for other Building Permit scopes.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Submit application through the City of Deer Lodge's online iWorQ portal, or in person/by mail at City Hall, 300 Main Street
- Application fee ($20 flat, per the Building Permit Fee Schedule) must be paid before the application is reviewed
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (iWorQ online portal)Same portal and application used for other Building Permit scopes in Deer Lodge; select demolition as the scope of work
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition | $20 | City of Deer Lodge Building Permit Fee Schedule |
Solar PV / Alternative Energy Permit (State-Issued)
VerifiedRequired for installation of grid-tied residential or commercial rooftop/ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems in the City of Deer Lodge. Because Deer Lodge (City) is DLI-certified for Building (B) RESIDENTIAL ONLY and holds no Electrical certification, the electrical/interconnection portion of any solar PV installation is issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena as an Application for Alternative Energy Permit — the same statewide form used for solar, wind, and hydro systems, already cited as a document option on this file's electrical-permit entry — not by the City of Deer Lodge. The City's own permit portal confirms electrical permits generally are reviewed by the State, not the City. Roof-mounted racking/structural attachment on a RESIDENTIAL structure may separately require the City's own Residential Building Permit; commercial solar structural work falls to the state, since Deer Lodge's Building certification does not extend to commercial.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- 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
- Apply online at https://aca-prod.accela.com/bcb/ or mail the paper application with payment to: Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517
- Because Deer Lodge's own Building certification is residential-only, a separate City Residential Building Permit application may also be required for the roof-mount racking/structural attachment portion of a residential rooftop system; commercial solar structural work is state-administered since Deer Lodge holds no commercial Building certification
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Alternative Energy PermitMontana DLI Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1 series, Rev. 11/25) covering solar, wind, and hydro installations
- OptionalCity of Deer Lodge Residential Building PermitMay be required in addition to the state electrical permit for the structural/racking portion of a residential rooftop installation, since Deer Lodge's own DLI certification covers Building, residential only
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Change of Service (applies to residential grid-tied solar PV) | $45 | Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1 series, Rev. 11/25), Type of Work item F, 'Residential Change of Service'; the flat fee line item on the same form used for solar/wind/hydro alternative energy applications statewide, directly fetched and text-extracted from the state's own PDF form; consistent with the $45 'Residential Change of Service' figure already documented on this file's general electrical-permit entry |
| Commercial Alternative Energy/Solar — valuation $0 to $1,000 | $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance of the project cost | Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1 series, Rev. 11/25), Commercial fee chart; matches the commercial electrical fee tiers already documented on this file's electrical-permit entry |
| Commercial Alternative Energy/Solar — valuation $1,001 to $10,000 | $75 for the first $1,000 plus 2% of the balance of the project cost | Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1 series, Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial Alternative Energy/Solar — valuation $10,001 to $50,000 | $255 for the first $10,000 plus 0.5% of the balance of the project cost | Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1 series, Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial Alternative Energy/Solar — valuation $50,001 or more | $455 for the first $50,000 plus 0.3% of the balance of the project cost | Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1 series, Rev. 11/25) |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit (State-Issued Electrical Permit)
VerifiedInstallation of a Level 2 (or higher) electric vehicle charging station in the City of Deer Lodge is billed and issued under the same State Electrical Permit already documented on this file's electrical-permit entry — the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's BCP-1 Application for Residential (or Commercial) Electrical Permit has NO distinct EV-charger/EVSE line item; the form's fee schedule is organized entirely by service amperage, circuit count, and change-of-service type. A residential EV charger circuit is billed under the generic 'Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire' circuit-addition tiers (or a 'Residential Change of Service' fee if the panel/service is also being upgraded to support the charger), the same mechanism used for any other new residential circuit. Because Deer Lodge is not DLI-certified for electrical, this is issued directly by the state Bureau, not the City Building Inspector.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- State electrical permits are required on all electrical work performed in Montana except in cities/counties/towns certified to issue electrical permits — the City of Deer Lodge is NOT certified for electrical, so an EV charging station circuit or dedicated EVSE outlet requires a State Electrical Permit
- Work must be performed by a Montana-licensed electrical contractor, or by the homeowner personally on their own owner-occupied home under a Homeowner Electrical Permit
- Confirmed directly against the BCP-1 Application for Residential Electrical Permit PDF: the form contains no separate 'EV charger,' 'electric vehicle,' or 'EVSE' fee line — an EV charger circuit is priced the same as any other new circuit or service change
- If installing a new charger requires upgrading the electrical panel or service size, the applicable 'Residential Change of Service' or amperage-tier fee (already documented on this file's electrical-permit entry) applies instead of/in addition to the circuit-addition fee
- Apply online at https://aca-prod.accela.com/bcb/ or mail the paper application with payment to: Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical PermitState Building Codes Bureau form BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); used for EV charger circuits the same as any other residential electrical addition — no EV-specific form exists
- OptionalApplication for Homeowner Electrical PermitState Building Codes Bureau form BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); for homeowners personally wiring an EV charger circuit at their own owner-occupied home
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 1 additional circuit or piece of equipment (typical dedicated Level 2 EV charger circuit) | $45 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — same fee line used for this file's electrical-permit entry; no separate EV-charger line item exists on the form |
| Residential Change of Service (if panel/service upgrade is needed to support the charger) | $45 (exterior meter base/main disconnect only) or $75 (disconnect with feeder and panelboard replacement) | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial EVSE installation — valuation-based, same as other commercial electrical work | $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance (for the $0-$1,000 tier); higher tiers scale as documented on this file's electrical-permit entry | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) Commercial fee chart |
Sign Permit (City Zoning Permit — On-Site Signage)
The City of Deer Lodge has no standalone 'sign permit' form. On-site signs permitted as accessory uses in the city's business and industrial districts are one of three triggering conditions on the single City Zoning Permit application (form rev. 05/13/2024) — the same form used for occupant/use changes in those districts (see this file's change-of-use-permit entry). The form's own text states a Zoning Permit is required for 'all on-site signs permitted as accessory uses in all business and industrial districts,' and separately asks whether the property complies with on-site signage requirements, with a Signage Plan required 'as needed/requested' to demonstrate compliance.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Submit a City of Deer Lodge Zoning Permit application (form rev. 05/13/2024) for any on-site sign permitted as an accessory use in a business or industrial district
- Provide a Signage Plan if needed/requested to demonstrate compliance with the city's on-site signage requirements, per the form's own instruction
- Applicant/property owner signature is required on the form; the Building Inspector and Fire Chief each have dedicated comment fields in the official-use section, and the City Sanitarian additionally reviews food-service uses
- Zoning district and any applicable overlay (floodplain, historic preservation, Superfund) are recorded on the form's official-use section during review
- No published city text extends the Zoning Permit's signage trigger to signs outside business/industrial districts or to signs not classed as an on-site accessory use
Required documents
- RequiredZoning Permit ApplicationCity of Deer Lodge form (rev. 05/13/2024); item 3 of the form's stated triggers covers all on-site signs permitted as accessory uses in business/industrial districts
- OptionalSignage PlanRequired if needed/requested to demonstrate the proposed sign complies with the city's on-site signage requirements, per the form's own instruction ('Site, Landscaping, and/or Signage Plans are necessary to satisfy the last three items, as needed/requested')
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Permit fee (covers the sign-permit use case) | Not published | The Zoning Permit form itself includes only a 'Fees Paid? Yes/No' checkbox in the official-use section, no dollar figure; the city's separate Fees/Fines Schedule PDF (business licenses, animal control, beverage licenses) has no Zoning Permit or sign-permit line item. Both documents fetched and checked directly; genuinely not published. Contact City Hall, (406) 846-2238, for the current fee. |
Change of Use / Occupancy Permit (City Zoning Permit)
The City of Deer Lodge does not maintain a separate 'change of use' or 'certificate of occupancy' permit. A change in activity, use, or occupancy of a business/industrial-district space is handled through the same Zoning Permit (form rev. 05/13/2024) used for signage (see this file's sign-permit entry), per the form's own stated triggers: (1) occupying a vacant business/industrial-district space without triggering a Building Permit or Conditional Use Permit, and (2) any change in activity or use at a property in the business or industrial districts — which the form states 'complements Business Licenses.' Where the change of use also involves construction, or the use requires conditional approval, it instead falls under a Building Permit (locally issued for residential scopes; state-issued for commercial, since Deer Lodge's own DLI certification is residential-only) or the city's separate Conditional Use Permit (already documented in this file's localAmendments) rather than the Zoning Permit.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Submit a City of Deer Lodge Zoning Permit application (form rev. 05/13/2024) when occupying a vacant business/industrial-district space without triggering a Building Permit or Conditional Use Permit, OR when there is a change in activity/use at a business/industrial-district property
- The Zoning Permit 'complements' — is filed alongside, not instead of — a Business License, per the form's own text
- Confirm active water/sewer/trash utility accounts, on-site parking-space count, and compliance with landscaping, signage, and visibility requirements — all tracked as yes/no fields directly on the form
- If the change of use involves construction work, or the use requires conditional approval under the zoning ordinance, a Building Permit or Conditional Use Permit applies instead of (or in addition to) the Zoning Permit, since the Zoning Permit is specifically for changes NOT triggering those other permits
- For food-service uses, the form additionally routes to the City Sanitarian for comments alongside the Building Inspector and Fire Chief
Required documents
- RequiredZoning Permit ApplicationCity of Deer Lodge form (rev. 05/13/2024); items 1 and 2 of the form's stated triggers cover vacant-space occupancy and activity/use changes in business/industrial districts
- OptionalBusiness License ApplicationThe Zoning Permit 'complements' Business Licenses per the form's own text; a Business License is generally filed alongside a change-of-use Zoning Permit
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Permit fee (covers the change-of-use case) | Not published | Same finding as this file's sign-permit entry: the Zoning Permit form has only a 'Fees Paid? Yes/No' checkbox, no dollar figure, and the city's Fees/Fines Schedule PDF has no Zoning Permit line item. |
| Business License fees typically filed alongside a change of use (for reference, not the Zoning Permit fee itself) | $125.00/year (Local Resident Business License), $150.00/year (Non-Resident Business License), $50.00 up to 6 months (Contractors Business License) | City of Deer Lodge Fees/Fines Schedule PDF — listed here because the Zoning Permit form states the permit 'complements Business Licenses' |
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit (No Standalone Product — Folded Into the Commercial Building Permit and State Electrical Permit)
Neither the City of Deer Lodge nor the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau publishes a standalone fire-sprinkler or fire-alarm permit for Deer Lodge. The state Bureau's own permit-applications index lists only seven permit types (Boiler, Building, Electrical, Elevator, Factory Built Building, Mechanical, Plumbing) — no Fire Suppression or Fire Alarm category. Where the adopted 2021 IBC (Chapter 9, Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, already part of this file's codesAdopted) requires a fire sprinkler system, plan review happens as part of the applicable Building Permit: because Deer Lodge's own DLI certification is Building (residential only), any commercial building — where sprinkler requirements typically arise — is a STATE-issued Commercial Building Permit, not a city permit. Fire alarm system wiring/interconnection is billed and inspected under the ordinary State Electrical Permit (already documented on this file's electrical-permit entry), since Deer Lodge is not electrical-certified. The City of Deer Lodge Fire Department (Fire Chief Brant Pierson) performs fire-code-enforcement review as part of the city's own Zoning Permit process — the Zoning Permit form includes a dedicated 'Fire Chief Comments' field — but the Fire Department does not itself issue a separate sprinkler/alarm construction permit. Businesses/individuals that sell, install, or service fire protection systems in Montana must separately hold a Montana Fire Protection License from the DLI Business Standards Division, a contractor/technician licensure requirement distinct from any project permit.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Where the adopted 2021 IBC Chapter 9 requires a fire sprinkler and/or fire alarm system, the system plans are submitted as part of the State Commercial Building Permit application/plan review to the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau — Deer Lodge's own city Building certification is residential-only and does not extend to commercial buildings
- Fire alarm system wiring/interconnection requires a State Electrical Permit (BCP-1), the same statewide form already used for other electrical work in Deer Lodge, since the city is not DLI-certified for electrical
- Businesses/individuals selling, installing, or servicing fire protection (sprinkler/alarm) systems in Montana must hold a Montana Fire Protection License issued by the DLI Business Standards Division's Fire Protection License Program — a contractor/technician licensure requirement, separate from any specific project permit
- The City of Deer Lodge Fire Department (Fire Chief Brant Pierson) reviews fire-code compliance as part of the city's own Zoning Permit process (the form includes a dedicated 'Fire Chief Comments' field) but does not independently issue a standalone sprinkler/alarm construction permit
- Confirmed directly against the state Building Codes Bureau's permit-applications index: no dedicated 'fire sprinkler permit' or 'fire alarm permit' appears among the seven listed permit types (Boiler, Building, Electrical, Elevator, Factory Built Building, Mechanical, Plumbing)
Required documents
- OptionalCommercial Building Permit / Plan Review Application (state)Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau form; fire sprinkler system plans are submitted as part of this application's plan review when IBC Chapter 9 requires one — no separate fire-suppression form exists
- OptionalApplication for Electrical Permit (Residential or Commercial)State Building Codes Bureau form BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); used for fire alarm system wiring the same as any other electrical addition — no fire-alarm-specific form exists
- OptionalMontana Fire Protection License ApplicationDLI Business Standards Division form for businesses/individuals selling, installing, or servicing fire protection systems statewide; a licensure requirement for the installing contractor, not a per-project permit
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Building Permit (state) — covers plan review for any building, including code-required fire sprinkler/fire alarm systems | Generally 1% to 2% of building valuation, calculated by the Building Codes Bureau | Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, 'Is a State Building Permit Needed?' page, direct quote: 'The fee is generally one to two percent (1% - 2%) of the building valuation, and will be calculated by the BUREAU.' Applies because Deer Lodge's own city Building certification is residential-only and does not cover commercial buildings, where fire sprinkler/alarm requirements typically arise under IBC Chapter 9. |
| State Electrical Permit — fire alarm system wiring/interconnection (billed as ordinary circuit work; no separate 'fire alarm' fee line exists) | $45 for a single additional circuit (typical alarm control panel/initiating circuit), scaling per the same amperage/circuit tiers already documented on this file's electrical-permit entry | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential/Commercial Electrical Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — confirmed no distinct fire-alarm fee line exists on the form, the same pattern already documented for EV chargers on this file's ev-charger-permit entry |
| Fire sprinkler/fire alarm-specific permit fee (as a standalone line item) | Not published — no such line item exists | Checked the state Building Codes Bureau's full permit-applications index (Boiler, Building, Electrical, Elevator, Factory Built Building, Mechanical, Plumbing only — no Fire Suppression/Alarm category), the Residential/Commercial Electrical Permit forms, and the City of Deer Lodge Fire Department page and Fees/Fines Schedule; none publishes a dedicated fire-sprinkler or fire-alarm fee |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.
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 City of Deer Lodge building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.