You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-04.
Sidney building permits
VerifiedSidney, Montana — as published 2026-07-04.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
VerifiedRequired for new residential structures larger than eighty (80) square feet, and additions to existing residential structures, within Sidney city limits. Issued and reviewed LOCALLY by the City of Sidney Fire Marshal / Building Inspector (Kale Rasmussen) under Sidney's Montana DLI certification for Building (B), all project types, city limits only. Reviewed against the state-adopted 2021 IBC/IRC/IECC editions (ARM Title 24, chapter 301). Electrical and Plumbing work associated with the project require SEPARATE State permits (see the state-enforced permit entries below); Mechanical/HVAC work likewise requires a separate State Mechanical Permit.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the 'Application For A Residential Building Permit Within The City Limits Of The City Of Sidney' form: applicant name, property owner, applicant address/phone, nature of permit, location of building, legal description (lot/block/addition)
- Site Plan showing property lines, street & alley right-of-ways, exterior building dimensions, and setbacks (distances) from property lines to building roof overhang
- Contractor documentation: proof of Montana Contractor License, proof of Liability Insurance, proof of Worker's Compensation Coverage
- State Plumber Permit and State Electrical Permit are separately required (checkbox items on the City's own application) — these are Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau permits, not issued by the City
- Drainage: single-family residences should have a minimum 5% slope to the front or rear of the property; multi-family/apartment complexes may need a detailed drainage plan
- Indicate whether the connection requires a new water and/or sewer connection fee (connection fees determined at time of permit)
- Indicate whether the site is in a flood zone; if yes, the local floodplain administrator must review the plans
- Sidney Public Works Department review is required if: the permit is for new construction on an unoccupied parcel, construction includes additional water/sewer facilities, or construction includes curb/gutter/driveway/sidewalk work within the street right-of-way
- A minimum of two complete sets of plans, plus the completed Building Permit Application, per the 'Sidney/Richland' Application/Building Plan Proposal submittal checklist: Site/Plot Plan, Foundation Plan/Details, Floor Plan, Reflected Ceiling Plan, Wall Section/Details (engineered drawings required for pre-manufactured floor/roof trusses), Elevations, and Energy Calculations
- Plans will not be reviewed until the review fee has been received
Required documents
- RequiredApplication For A Residential Building PermitCity of Sidney form, captioned 'Within The City Limits Of The City Of Sidney'; available at cityofsidneymt.com/fire-building/page/building-permit-applications
- RequiredBuilding Permit Submittal Documents Checklist'Sidney/Richland Application/Building Plan Proposal' — minimum construction documents needed (Site/Plot Plan, Foundation Plan/Details, Floor Plan, Reflected Ceiling Plan, Wall Section/Details, Elevations, Energy Calculations); prefabricated steel buildings and fire suppression systems require engineer-prepared drawings
- RequiredMinimum Two Complete Sets of Plans
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500 | $23.50 | City of Sidney/Richland Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 (verified by direct visual inspection of the scanned PDF — text layer not machine-extractable) |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $501 to $2,000 | $23.50 for the first $500 plus $3.05 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000 | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $25,000 | $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000 | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,001 to $50,000 | $391.75 for the first $25,000 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000 | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,001 to $100,000 | $643.75 for the first $50,000 plus $7 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000 | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001 to $500,000 | $993.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000 | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001 to $1,000,000 | $3,233.75 for the first $500,000 plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000 | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,001 and up | $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Plan Review Fee | 35% of the calculated building permit fee | Applicable when submittal documents are required; must be paid in addition to the building permit fee. Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Plan Review Services Only (no permit) | 50% of the combined plan examination and building permit fee | Applicable only if plan review services are provided. Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Additional Plan Review | $85.00 per hour in addition to regular fee (minimum 1/2-hour charge) | Applicable when additional plan review is required due to changes, additions, or revisions to plans. Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Inspections After Normal Business Hours | $85.00 per hour in addition to regular fee (minimum 1/2-hour charge) | 'Normal Business Hours' = 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated | $85.00 per hour (minimum 1/2-hour charge) | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Water/Sewer Connection Fee | Determined at time of permit issuance, not a fixed published figure — per the City's Residential Building Permit Application |
Commercial Building Permit
VerifiedRequired for new commercial structures larger than eighty (80) square feet, and additions to existing commercial structures, within Sidney city limits. Issued and reviewed LOCALLY by the City of Sidney Fire Marshal / Building Inspector (Kale Rasmussen) under Sidney's Montana DLI certification for Building (B), all project types, city limits only. Electrical and Plumbing work associated with the project require SEPARATE State permits; Mechanical/HVAC work likewise requires a separate State Mechanical Permit.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the 'Application For A Commercial Building Permit Within The City Limits Of The City Of Sidney' form (two-part: Part 1, and Parts 2-3)
- Site Plan showing property lines, street & alley right-of-ways, exterior building dimensions, and setbacks
- Contractor documentation: proof of Montana Contractor License, proof of Liability Insurance, proof of Worker's Compensation Coverage
- State Plumber Permit and State Electrical Permit are separately required (checkbox items on the City's own application) — Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau permits, not issued by the City
- New construction or expansion of commercial property must provide a storm runoff plan
- List all plumbing fixtures included, or provide architectural drawings, for the water/sewer connection section
- Indicate whether the site is in a flood zone; if yes, the local floodplain administrator must review the plans
- Commercial and high-density housing properties must provide an accessible, wind-protected area for solid waste containers and a separate area for confining cardboard if necessary, shown on the site plan
- If any demolition (wall/ceiling demolition, flooring removal, etc.) is part of the project, a Certificate of Asbestos Inspection and abatement is required (contact DEQ, 406-444-5286, with questions)
- Sidney Public Works Department will review all commercial applications for new construction or additions
- A minimum of two complete sets of plans per the 'Sidney/Richland' Application/Building Plan Proposal submittal checklist; complex or commercial projects may require a design professional; fire suppression systems require engineer-prepared drawings and specifications; prefabricated steel buildings require engineered drawings
Required documents
- RequiredApplication For A Commercial Building Permit (Part 1)City of Sidney form, captioned 'Within The City Limits Of The City Of Sidney'
- RequiredApplication For A Commercial Building Permit (Parts 2-3)Companion continuation pages to the Part 1 commercial application
- RequiredBuilding Permit Submittal Documents Checklist'Sidney/Richland Application/Building Plan Proposal' — Site/Plot Plan, Foundation Plan/Details, Floor Plan, Reflected Ceiling Plan, Wall Section/Details, Elevations, Energy Calculations
- OptionalCertificate of Asbestos Inspection and AbatementRequired only if demolition is part of the project scope
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (same table as residential) | $23.50 minimum up to $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 per additional $1,000 over $1,000,000 | City of Sidney/Richland Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 — identical valuation-based table applies to commercial and residential building permits |
| Plan Review Fee | 35% of the calculated building permit fee | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Additional Plan Review | $85.00 per hour in addition to regular fee (minimum 1/2-hour charge) | Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| Water/Sewer Connection Fee | Determined at time of permit issuance — per the City's Commercial Building Permit Application |
Electrical Permit
VerifiedRequired for electrical installations, alterations, service changes, and panel upgrades within Sidney city limits. Electrical permitting is NOT locally certified in Sidney (the DLI roster's Sidney line lists only 'B', no 'E') — 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. Corroborated by the City's own Building Permit Application forms, which list 'State Electrical Permit (required)' as a checklist item.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- State electrical permits are required on all electrical work performed in Montana except in cities/counties/towns certified to issue electrical permits — Sidney 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
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) — statewide fee schedule, same table used in all non-electrical-certified Montana jurisdictions (e.g. Anaconda-Deer Lodge) |
| 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) |
| Alternative Energy (electrical connection portion) | $45 | 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 | 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 within Sidney city limits. Plumbing is NOT locally certified in Sidney (the DLI roster's Sidney line lists only 'B', no 'P') — 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. Corroborated by the City's own Building Permit Application forms, which list 'State Plumber Permit (required)' as a checklist item.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- State plumbing permits are required for all plumbing work in Montana except in certified jurisdictions — Sidney 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) — statewide fee schedule; covers bath tub, lavatory, shower, urinal, water closet, kitchen sink, service sink, wash/laundry tray, dishwasher, laundry box, and other listed fixtures |
| 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 within Sidney city limits. Mechanical is NOT locally certified in Sidney (the DLI roster's Sidney line lists only 'B', no 'M') — 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 2026-07-04 · 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 — Sidney 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
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Mechanical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau form BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25); valuation-based fee schedule
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) — statewide fee schedule |
| 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) |
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
VerifiedRequired for installing a rooftop or ground-mount photovoltaic system within Sidney city limits. Because Sidney is not electrical-certified, TWO permits and TWO authorities apply: a City of Sidney Building Permit for the structural/roof-mount work (valuation-based, no dedicated solar line item) and a State of Montana Electrical Permit for the PV electrical installation, issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, which now uses a flat 'Alternative Energy' fee line (current form revision 11/25).
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- City of Sidney Building Permit required for the structural/roof-mount or ground-mount component; reviewed under the general valuation-based fee schedule — no solar-specific fee line found
- State of Montana Electrical Permit required separately for the PV system's electrical installation — issued by the DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not the City of Sidney (Sidney's own line on the DLI certified-jurisdiction roster shows 'B' only, no 'E')
- If a licensed electrical contractor is performing the work, use the Application for Residential (or Commercial) Electrical Permit and answer 'Yes' to 'Does this project consist of, or include an Alternative Energy Source?', selecting Solar and the applicable system type (Microinverter/AC Module System, PV String System, or Generator)
- If a non-electrician solar installer is performing the work, use the standalone Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 11/25) instead
- If the project involves a grid-tied alternative energy generator, a licensed electrical contractor MUST obtain an additional permit for the final connection, even if a non-electrician installer handled the rest of the work
- If the system produces 90 volts or more, a licensed electrical contractor must perform the work unless the homeowner is doing the work on their own private house
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Sidney Building Permit Application
- OptionalState of Montana Application for Residential or Commercial Electrical Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 11/25)Used by licensed electrical contractors; includes an Alternative Energy Source question near the bottom of the form
- OptionalState of Montana Application for Alternative Energy Permit (Rev. 11/25)Used by non-electrician solar/wind/hydro installers, or when the project is solar/wind/hydro only
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500 | $23.50 | City of Sidney/Richland Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18; no solar-specific fee line |
| City Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $25,000 | $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| City Plan Review Fee | 35% of the calculated building permit fee | Applicable when submittal documents are required |
| State Electrical Permit — Alternative Energy (residential, via the Residential Electrical Permit form's 'K. Alternative energy' line, or the standalone Alternative Energy Permit's 'Residential Change of Service' line) | $45 flat | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit and Application for Alternative Energy Permit (both BCP-1/Rev. 11/25) — CURRENT figure as of this fetch. NOTE: an earlier-dated form revision (Rev. 12/22, still served at a different DLI URL) used a $65 Alternative Energy Source add-on instead of this $45 flat fee, cross-checked against Belgrade and Shelby, MT elsewhere in this corpus (both verified against the older Rev. 12/22 form) — the state appears to have updated its fee schedule/form between these revisions; use the Rev. 11/25 figure as current. |
| State Electrical Permit — Commercial Alternative Energy (via the Alternative Energy Permit's Commercial fee chart) | $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance (project cost $0-$1,000); $75 for the first $1,000 plus 2% of the balance ($1,001-$10,000); $255 for the first $10,000 plus 0.5% of the balance ($10,001-$50,000); $455 for the first $50,000 plus 0.3% of the balance ($50,001+) | Application for Alternative Energy Permit (Rev. 11/25) |
| Additional grid-tie connection permit (if applicable) | Separate electrical permit fee applies (per the applicable Single Family Dwelling/service-amperage bracket, e.g. $200 for up to 200-amp service) for the licensed electrical contractor's required final connection permit | Required whenever the project involves a grid-tied alternative energy generator, per the Alternative Energy Permit form's Question D |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedRequired for installing an electric vehicle charging station (Level 2 or DC fast charger) within Sidney city limits. Because Sidney is not electrical-certified, the electrical installation is a State of Montana Electrical Permit, issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau (Sidney's own line on the DLI certified-jurisdiction roster shows 'B' only, no 'E'), not a City permit. The Building Codes Bureau's BCP-1 fee schedule has no dedicated EV-charger/EVSE line item; a dedicated EV charger circuit is billed under the same 'Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire' per-circuit fee tiers documented in this file's electrical-permit entry (the closest matching category for adding one or more new circuits/pieces of equipment to an existing service), or under the applicable panel/service-upgrade tier if the installation requires a service change.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- State of Montana Electrical Permit required for the EV charger's dedicated circuit and any panel/service work — issued by the DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not the City of Sidney
- 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
- No dedicated 'EV Charger'/'EVSE' checkbox exists on the BCP-1 Application for Residential/Commercial Electrical Permit; a single new dedicated circuit for a Level 2 charger is entered under the 'Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire' per-circuit fee category
- If the EV charger installation requires a new or upgraded electrical service/panel, that scope is billed under the same electrical permit's amperage-tiered service-change fee lines documented in this file's electrical-permit entry
- A separate City of Sidney Building Permit would only apply if the EV charger installation includes new structural work (e.g., a new carport/accessory building) — a standalone circuit to an existing structure would not trigger the City's building-permit process
- Apply online at https://aca-prod.accela.com/bcb/ or mail the paper BCP-1 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 an EV charger circuit since no dedicated EV-charger 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 | $45 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — the closest documented fee category for a single new dedicated EV charger circuit added to an existing service, since no dedicated EV-charger fee line exists on the state's schedule |
| Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment | $70 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — applicable if the EV charger installation includes additional circuits/equipment beyond the charger itself |
| Residential Change of Service — exterior meter base, interior/exterior main disconnect only | $45 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — applicable only if a service change is needed to support the charger's load |
| 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) |
Sign Permit
VerifiedRequired for the erection, construction, relocation or alteration of any non-exempt commercial/business sign or other outdoor advertising device within Sidney city limits. Per the City of Sidney Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 593, 03-21-2022), Article 11.19 'Outdoor Advertising', Section 11.19.50 ('Permit Required'): such work 'requires a Building Permit,' plus a separate Electrical Permit if the sign is illuminated. Because sign permits are issued as a Building Permit, they are administered LOCALLY by the City of Sidney Fire Marshal / Building Inspector (Kale Rasmussen) under Sidney's Montana DLI Building (B) certification, all project types, city limits only — the same authority and fee schedule documented in this file's commercial-building-permit entry. No dedicated 'Sign Permit' application form or sign-specific fee line item was found on the City's website or its (visually-inspected) Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule; signs are billed under the same general valuation-based Building Permit Fee table.
Verified 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- A Building Permit is required for the erection, construction, relocation, or alteration of any sign or other outdoor advertising device, unless the sign qualifies for an exemption under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 11.19.30 (Exemptions)
- Exempt signs (no permit required) include: official notices/warning signs/historical information; indoor signs and window displays not visible from outside; building-identification/commemorative signage up to 4 sq ft and residential owner/occupant wall signs; holiday lights/displays (up to 45 days before and 15 days after the holiday); one real estate 'for sale'/'for rent' sign per lot up to 6 sq ft; religious symbols, non-commercial message signs, and temporary political signs; way-finding/traffic-control signs up to 6 sq ft; and non-commercial murals
- An Electrical Permit is separately required if the sign is illuminated — issued by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau as a State Electrical Permit, since Sidney is not electrical-certified (see this file's electrical-permit entry)
- Non-residential (commercial) district sign area is capped at 300 total square feet per property, measured as the surface area of one face of each sign; there is no maximum number of individual signs provided the 300 sq ft total is not exceeded
- Maximum height of any freestanding sign, including embellishments, may not exceed the maximum building height allowed in the given zoning district
- Internally illuminated signs are prohibited in all residential zoning districts and are only allowed in Commercially and Industrially zoned districts; flashing, blinking, rotating-beam, or hologram signs are prohibited everywhere
- Signs that display moving or electronic images (digital/electronic graphic display signs) require a Conditional Use Permit in addition to the standard sign permit
- Off-site signs are permitted but count toward the overall sign-area cap for the property/use on which they are located
- Nonconforming signs (legally existing before the current Ordinance) may not be moved, altered, re-erected, relocated, or replaced without being brought into full compliance; abandoned signs must be removed within 60 days of the use they advertised ending
- The Zoning Administrator may approve temporary signs for up to 30 days to advertise special events
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Sidney Building Permit Application (Residential or Commercial, as applicable)No dedicated 'Sign Permit Application' form is published separately by the City; sign work is processed on the same Building Permit Application forms used for other construction, per Zoning Ordinance Sec. 11.19.50
- RequiredSign plans/drawingsShowing sign area, height, and (if illuminated) electrical specifications; no dedicated sign-plan checklist is published beyond the general Building Permit Submittal Documents checklist
- OptionalState of Montana Application for Residential or Commercial Electrical Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 11/25)Required separately, only if the sign is illuminated
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (same table as residential/commercial building permits) | $23.50 minimum up to $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 per additional $1,000 over $1,000,000 | City of Sidney/Richland Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 — no sign-specific fee line exists; confirmed by direct visual inspection of the scanned fee-schedule PDF (image-based, no machine-readable text layer) |
| Plan Review Fee | 35% of the calculated building permit fee | Applicable when submittal documents are required. Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| State Electrical Permit (if sign is illuminated) | See this file's electrical-permit entry for the full Residential/Commercial Electrical fee schedule | Montana Building Codes Bureau, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — billed under the standard electrical fee categories (e.g., per-circuit or valuation-based commercial electrical tiers); no dedicated sign/illuminated-sign fee line item found |
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit
VerifiedSidney has NO distinct, standalone 'fire sprinkler permit' or 'fire alarm permit' product or fee schedule of its own — the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau does not certify a separate 'Fire' trade (its certified-jurisdictions roster only lists B/P/E/M/SP/W codes, and Sidney's own roster line shows only 'B', no 'SP'). Instead, TWO existing, already-documented permit pathways in this file cover fire-protection systems: (1) an automatic fire SPRINKLER (suppression) system is reviewed as part of the standard City of Sidney Building Permit — the City's own 'Sidney/Richland' Building Permit Submittal Documents checklist states 'Fire Suppression Systems. Any building in which an automatic fire suppression system is installed must have construction drawings and specifications prepared by a licensed engineer,' and this review is administered by the City's Fire Marshal / Building Inspector (Kale Rasmussen holds BOTH titles) under Sidney's Montana DLI Building (B) certification; and (2) fire ALARM system wiring, being electrical work, is not locally certified in Sidney (DLI roster shows 'B' only, no 'E') and is issued as a State of Montana Electrical Permit by the DLI Building Codes Bureau, billed under the standard Residential/Commercial Electrical Permit fee schedule documented in this file's electrical-permit entry (no dedicated fire-alarm fee line item exists on the state BCP-1 form). Separately, the City of Sidney has locally adopted the International Fire Code by reference (Sidney Municipal Code Title 7, Chapter 4, Sec. 7-4-1: 'The city hereby adopts as part of this code the international fire code standards which are the current standards adopted from time to time by the International Fire Code Commission and set forth in the Montana administrative rules (ARMs)... (Ord. 554, 5-5-2014)'), enforced by the same Fire Marshal/Building Inspector. Contractors who sell, install, or service fire protection (sprinkler/alarm) systems anywhere in Montana, including Sidney, must separately hold a state Fire Protection License (Business Entity and Individual Endorsement) from the DLI's Montana Fire Protection License Program — a professional licensing requirement, not a per-project permit.
Verified 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Automatic fire SPRINKLER (suppression) systems: reviewed as part of the applicable City of Sidney Residential or (more commonly) Commercial Building Permit; construction drawings and specifications must be prepared by a licensed engineer, per the City's Building Permit Submittal Documents checklist
- Fire ALARM systems: the electrical installation/wiring requires a separate State of Montana Electrical Permit (Residential or Commercial), issued by the DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, since Sidney holds no DLI electrical certification
- Any contractor who sells, installs, or services fire sprinkler or fire alarm systems in Montana must hold a current Montana Fire Protection License (Business Entity endorsement, plus an Individual Endorsement for the person performing the work) from the DLI's Montana Fire Protection License Program — separate from, and in addition to, the project-specific building/electrical permit
- No dedicated 'fire sprinkler permit' or 'fire alarm permit' application, checkbox, or fee line item was found on the City of Sidney's Building Permit Applications, on the visually-inspected City Fee Schedule PDF, or on the Montana DLI's Residential/Commercial Electrical Permit application forms (BCP-1, Rev. 11/25) — both are folded into their respective existing permit categories
- The City's locally-adopted International Fire Code (Title 7, Ch. 4, Sec. 7-4-1 of the Sidney Municipal Code) is on file at all times in the office of the city clerk and enforced by the Fire Marshal/Building Inspector; violation of the fire code carries a fine up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in the county jail (Sec. 7-4-1(C), Ord. 469, 5-7-2001)
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Sidney Commercial (or Residential) Building Permit ApplicationCovers the fire sprinkler/suppression system scope as part of the overall building permit; requires engineer-prepared fire-suppression construction drawings and specifications per the Submittal Documents checklist
- RequiredState of Montana Application for Residential or Commercial Electrical Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 11/25)Covers the fire alarm system's electrical wiring/installation; filed with the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, not the City
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (covers fire sprinkler/suppression system scope, same table as commercial-building-permit) | $23.50 minimum up to $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 per additional $1,000 over $1,000,000 | City of Sidney/Richland Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 — no dedicated fire-sprinkler fee line; confirmed by direct visual inspection of the scanned fee-schedule PDF |
| City Plan Review Fee | 35% of the calculated building permit fee | Applicable when submittal documents (including engineer-prepared fire-suppression drawings) are required. Sidney/Richland Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 |
| State Commercial Electrical Permit — valuation-based (covers fire alarm system wiring) | $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance ($0-$1,000); $75 for the first $1,000 plus 2% of the balance ($1,001-$10,000); $255 for the first $10,000 plus 0.5% of the balance ($10,001-$50,000); $455 for the first $50,000 plus 0.3% of the balance ($50,001+) | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Commercial Electrical Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — no dedicated fire-alarm fee line item exists; billed under the standard commercial electrical valuation schedule |
Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy
Sidney has NO standalone, separately-published 'Change of Use Permit' or Certificate of Occupancy application/fee distinct from its existing Building Permit process. The Sidney Municipal Code, Title 4 ('Building Regulations'), Chapter 1, Sec. 4-1-3 ('Activities Regulated') establishes that the City's building code 'shall regulate the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance' of buildings/structures, 'and shall provide for the issuance of permits and collection of fees' (Ord. 473, 5-20-2002) — meaning a change of occupancy or use IS a regulated activity, but it is folded into the same Residential or Commercial Building Permit process (documented elsewhere in this file) rather than issued as its own product, whenever construction/alteration work accompanies the change. Separately, Sidney's Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 593) independently triggers requirements specifically keyed to 'change of use' even with no construction: off-street parking must be provided for the new use per the parking-requirements article, and a Landscape Plan is required for 'changes of use' per the landscaping standards. No dedicated Change-of-Use application form, and no distinct Certificate-of-Occupancy fee, were found on the City of Sidney's own website, its Building Permit Applications, or its (visually-inspected) Fee Schedule PDF, despite an exhaustive search of the City's Fire Marshal/Building Inspector pages, both Building Permit Application forms, the Building Permit Submittal Documents checklist, the full Zoning Code PDF, and the City's Municipal Code Titles 4, 5, 7, and 11 hosted on American Legal Publishing's code library. Richland County — a companion but legally SEPARATE Montana DLI certification sharing the same building official (Kale Rasmussen) and office — publishes its own 'Occupancy Permits' page describing a standard practice of issuing a Certificate of Occupancy after required inspections, or a Certificate of Final Inspection for remodels/small additions in lieu of a full CO; this is documented County practice, not confirmed by any City-of-Sidney-specific source as identically applied inside Sidney city limits. Confidence is marked 'partial' for this reason — this is a genuine, chased-out finding of an unpublished process, not an assumption.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- A change of use/occupancy of a structure is a regulated activity under Sidney Municipal Code Sec. 4-1-3, which authorizes the City to require permits and collect fees for 'conversion, occupancy, [and] use' changes, in addition to construction activities
- If the change of use involves any construction, alteration, or remodel work, the standard City of Sidney Residential or Commercial Building Permit process applies (see those entries in this file for full requirements/fees)
- Off-street parking must be provided for the new use in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance's Off-Street Parking Required Spaces table, whenever an existing use of a structure or land is changed to another use
- A Landscape Plan is required for changes of use under the Zoning Ordinance's landscaping standards (same trigger as new developments/expansions over 1,000 sq ft of gross floor area)
- No license shall be issued for the conduct of any business, and no permit shall be issued, if the premises/building does not fully comply with municipal requirements, per Sidney Municipal Code Sec. 5-1-7 ('Building And Premises') — meaning a new Business License (required for most commercial occupants under Title 5, Chapter 1) will not issue until the premises comply, functioning as an informal compliance check tied to occupancy changes
- No standalone Change-of-Use or Certificate-of-Occupancy application form is published by the City of Sidney; applicants should contact the Fire Marshal/Building Inspector directly to confirm current practice for a specific project
Required documents
- OptionalCity of Sidney Residential or Commercial Building Permit ApplicationRequired only if the change of use is accompanied by construction, alteration, or remodel work; no separate Change-of-Use form exists
- OptionalCity of Sidney Business License ApplicationRequired under Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 1 for most new commercial occupancies/businesses; will not be issued if the premises fail to comply with municipal building/zoning requirements (Sec. 5-1-7)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (if construction/alteration accompanies the change of use) | $23.50 minimum up to $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 per additional $1,000 over $1,000,000 | City of Sidney/Richland Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18 — same table as commercial-building-permit; no distinct change-of-use or Certificate-of-Occupancy fee line found, confirmed by direct visual inspection of the scanned fee-schedule PDF |
| Certificate of Occupancy / Change-of-Use-only fee (no construction) | No published fee found for a pure occupancy-classification change with no accompanying construction work — this is a genuine gap after exhausting the City's own published materials and Municipal Code; contact the Building Inspector's office (406.433.1122) to confirm current practice |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-04.
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 Sidney building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.