Skip to main content
PermitBase

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in Sidney, Montana

Required 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

When you need this permit

  • 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

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 1 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our checklist will assemble all of them, free →

Fee schedule

City Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500City of Sidney/Richland Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule, Eff. 1/2/18; no solar-specific fee line
$23.50
City Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $25,000
City of Sidney Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule (effective 1/2/18), Building Permit Fees table: “$2,001 - $25,000 — $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction… Show full citationCity of Sidney Building Code Enforcement Fee Schedule (effective 1/2/18), Building Permit Fees table: “$2,001 - $25,000 — $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof to and including $25,000.” The schedule is a scan and carries no letterhead, city name or seal; it is published in the City of Sidney's own document centre. A plan review fee of 35 percent of the calculated building permit fee applies in addition where submittal documents are required.
$69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof
City Plan Review FeeApplicable when submittal documents are required
35% of the calculated building permit fee
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)Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Alternative Energy Permit and Application for Residential Electrical Permit (both Rev. 11/25). Residential alternative-energy work is priced at $45.
$45 flat
State Electrical Permit — Commercial Alternative Energy (via the Alternative Energy Permit's Commercial fee chart)Application for Alternative Energy Permit (Rev. 11/25)
$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+)
Additional grid-tie connection permit (if applicable)Required whenever the project involves a grid-tied alternative energy generator, per the Alternative Energy Permit form's Question D
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

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit permit actually take in Sidney?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    City Building Inspection

    Structural/roof-mount or ground-mount foundation compliance

  2. 2

    State Electrical Rough-In

    Must be requested with 48 hours' notice before covering up work

  3. 3

    State Electrical Final

    All devices installed, system energized; requires 48 hours' notice

See the full Sidney inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Solar in Sidney needs TWO separate permits from TWO separate authorities: a City of Sidney Building Permit for any structural component (valuation-based, no solar line item) and a State of Montana DLI Electrical Permit for the PV electrical work.
  • Montana changed its Alternative Energy fee between form revisions: the current application (Rev. 11/25) charges a flat $45 for residential alternative-energy work. An older revision showing a $65 add-on is still downloadable from the state's site, so check the revision date printed in the form header before you file.
  • If your project is grid-tied, budget for an ADDITIONAL electrical permit and fee for the final connection, performed by a licensed electrical contractor, even if a non-electrician installer handled the rest of the solar work under the Alternative Energy Permit.

Frequently asked questions

Sidney requires a solar photovoltaic (pv) permit for: 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. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Sidney Fire Marshal / Building Inspector — Kale Rasmussen; city-certified for Building (B), ALL project types (residential and commercial), within Sidney city limits ONLY. Electrical and Plumbing permits of ANY project type within Sidney city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau (Sidney holds no state certification in those trades), as is Mechanical/HVAC. at 406.433.1122 before starting work.

As of the current (Rev. 11/25) form, a flat $45 for a residential alternative-energy connection. Commercial projects use a valuation-based chart instead. If the system is grid-tied, an additional electrical permit and fee applies for a licensed electrical contractor to make the final connection.

Sidney does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Sidney Fire Marshal / Building Inspector — Kale Rasmussen; city-certified for Building (B), ALL project types (residential and commercial), within Sidney city limits ONLY. Electrical and Plumbing permits of ANY project type within Sidney city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau (Sidney holds no state certification in those trades), as is Mechanical/HVAC. at 406.433.1122 for current turnaround.

You'll need: City of Sidney Building Permit Application. Depending on your project, Sidney may also ask for: State of Montana Application for Residential or Commercial Electrical Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 11/25); State of Montana Application for Alternative Energy Permit (Rev. 11/25). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Sidney requires 3 inspection(s) for a solar photovoltaic (pv) permit, in order: City Building Inspection, State Electrical Rough-In, State Electrical Final. Schedule each through City of Sidney Fire Marshal / Building Inspector — Kale Rasmussen; city-certified for Building (B), ALL project types (residential and commercial), within Sidney city limits ONLY. Electrical and Plumbing permits of ANY project type within Sidney city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau (Sidney holds no state certification in those trades), as is Mechanical/HVAC. (406.433.1122).

Apply through City of Sidney Fire Marshal / Building Inspector — Kale Rasmussen; city-certified for Building (B), ALL project types (residential and commercial), within Sidney city limits ONLY. Electrical and Plumbing permits of ANY project type within Sidney city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau (Sidney holds no state certification in those trades), as is Mechanical/HVAC. at 1105 3rd St NW, Sidney, MT 59270. Phone: 406.433.1122, email: buildingofficial@cityofsidneymt.com; firemarshal@cityofsidneymt.com. Office hours: Not published on the City of Sidney Fire Marshal / Building Inspector pages; call 406.433.1122 or email buildingofficial@cityofsidneymt.com. Fax: 406.433.7509.. Official information: https://cityofsidneymt.com/fire-building.

Sidney, Montana has adopted: Montana has a mandatory statewide building code administered by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Building Codes Bureau, amended by the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Title 24, Chapter 301. Cities, counties, and towns may become 'certified' to locally administer permitting and inspection for all or part of the code; non-certified trades 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 (the phone format as printed in the roster; the City of Sidney's own published number for the same official is 406.433.1122). The DLI Building Codes Bureau's 'MONTANA CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM' roster PDF (updated 04/22/2026) carries TWO SEPARATE line items — 'Richland County | B | Kale Rasmussen | 480-9113 | County except Sidney' and 'Sidney | B | Kale Rasmussen | 480-9113 | City Limits'. Sidney's 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 holds its own independent 'City Limits' certification. Source: https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf; Unlike 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-applications; Electrical 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 PDF; Per 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. Local amendments apply — see the Sidney overview page for the full list.

No. Sidney is not electrical-certified — every electrical permit for work in Sidney, including solar, is a State of Montana permit issued by the DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena. The City still issues its own Building Permit for the structural/roof-mount or ground-mount component.

Sidney's permit history isn't searchable here yet

This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Sidney yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.

Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Sidney lands. Privacy.

Other permits in Sidney

Residential Building PermitCommercial Building PermitElectrical PermitPlumbing PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitEV Charger / EVSE PermitSign PermitFire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm PermitChange of Use / Certificate of Occupancy

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in other cities

Anaconda-Deer Lodge, MontanaBelgrade, MontanaBillings, MontanaBozeman, MontanaButte-Silver Bow, MontanaChoteau, MontanaCity of Deer Lodge, MontanaColstrip, Montana

Compare solar photovoltaic (pv) permit fees across Montana →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Sidney project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Sidney — in one checklist. Free, for any city and any number of projects.

Get started →