This is PermitBase’s published record for Sidney as of 2026-07-20. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.
Sidney building permits
VerifiedSidney, Montana — as published 2026-07-20.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Codes 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 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).Sidney is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building (B), ALL project types, within CITY LIMITS ONLY; certified official on file with DLI: Kale Rasmussen, 480-9113 (city phone format as printed in the roster; the City of Sidney's own published number for the same official is 406.433.1122). Verified directly by fetching and text-extracting the DLI Building Codes Bureau's 'MONTANA CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM' roster PDF (updated 04/22/2026): the roster carries TWO SEPARATE line items — 'Richland County | B | Kale Rasmussen | 480-9113 | County except Sidney' and 'Sidney | B | Kale Rasmussen | 480-9113 | City Limits'. This confirms Sidney's own certification is a DISTINCT, SEPARATE entry from Richland County's countywide program, not a subset or duplicate listing — the same certified official (Kale Rasmussen, who is also Richland County's building inspector per richland.org/building.html) administers both programs, but the County's own certification explicitly EXCLUDES Sidney ('County except Sidney'), and Sidney has its own independent 'City Limits' certification. Source: https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdfUnlike several Montana B-only-certified cities (e.g., Hardin, Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Colstrip) whose certification is explicitly 'B (residential only)', Sidney's DLI roster entry lists plainly 'B' with no residential-only qualifier — matching the pattern of Choteau/Conrad/Cutbank/Glasgow/Lewistown/Red Lodge, i.e. Sidney's local Building certification covers BOTH residential and commercial building permitting within city limits. Corroborated directly by the City's own published forms: cityofsidneymt.com/fire-building/page/building-permit-applications lists both a 'Residential Building Permit Application' and a two-part 'Commercial Building Permit Application' as separate City-issued forms, each captioned 'WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF SIDNEY.' Source: DLI roster PDF; https://cityofsidneymt.com/fire-building/page/building-permit-applicationsElectrical and Mechanical/HVAC permitting are NOT locally certified in Sidney — the DLI roster's Sidney line lists only 'B' (no 'E' or 'M' code), meaning Electrical and Mechanical permits of any project type within Sidney city limits route DIRECTLY to the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau for state administration, exactly as in a non-certified jurisdiction. Plumbing is likewise not covered by Sidney's own DLI code letter, and is independently confirmed as state-administered by the City's own Residential and Commercial Building Permit Application forms, both of which include a checklist item 'State Plumber Permit (required)' and 'State Electrical Permit (required)' under the Contractor section — direct documentary evidence, from the City's own application forms, that plumbing and electrical permits for construction within Sidney are STATE permits, not city-issued. Source: DLI roster PDF; City of Sidney Residential Building Permit Application PDF; Commercial Building Permit Application PDFPer the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's Current Codes page (statewide effective date June 11, 2022, applicable uniformly to all certified and state-enforced jurisdictions): 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC, 2021 ISPSC, 2021 UPC, 2020 NEC, 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessibility. Source: bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/current-codes
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. Show full citationHideMontana 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) |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-04.
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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.