Skip to main content
PermitBase

Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm Permit (State-Issued) in Forsyth, Montana

Forsyth's own local fire code, Forsyth Code of Ordinances 6-1-1 'Adoption Of Fire Prevention Code' (Title 6 Fire Regulations, Chapter 1 Fire Prevention Code, Ord. 2015-06, 9-28-2015), adopts only a generic, undated 'fire prevention code, current edition, as recommended by the National Board Of Fire Underwriters' on file with the city clerk-treasurer — Title 6 Chapter 1 contains just two sections (6-1-1 this adoption clause, and 6-1-2 a voluntary $20 wood/coal stove inspection fee unrelated to sprinkler or alarm systems), confirming Forsyth has NO locally-administered fire sprinkler or fire alarm permit-and-fee mechanism of its own. Because Forsyth's DLI certification also does not extend to commercial Building work or to Electrical work of any kind, fire suppression (sprinkler) systems route through the same state-issued process documented in the commercial-building-permit-state entry: the DLI Building Codes Bureau's statewide Building Permit/Plan Review Application (BCP-1) lists 'Fire Suppression' as one of its explicit 'Type Of Work' checkboxes, alongside New/Addition/Alteration/Change of Use/etc. Fire alarm system wiring, in turn, has no dedicated line item on any state permit form — it is billed under the same general valuation-based Commercial (or Residential) Electrical Permit fee schedule as any other electrical work, since Forsyth holds no local Electrical certification at all. The Montana Fire Protection License Program (administered separately by DLI's Business Standards Division boards office) licenses the businesses and individuals who sell, install, and service fire-suppression and fire-alarm equipment statewide — it is a contractor-licensing program, not a separate permit-issuing authority for individual installations, and does not substitute for the Building Codes Bureau's own plan-review permit process.

Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Fire suppression (sprinkler) systems: check the 'Fire Suppression' box under Type Of Work on the Building Permit/Plan Review Application (BCP-1) and submit complete plans, subject to the same DLI Building Codes Bureau plan-review process documented for commercial building permits
  • Fire alarm systems: apply using the same statewide Commercial Electrical Permit application (or Residential Electrical Permit, for a residential-only project) used for any other electrical work in Forsyth, since the state issues all electrical permits here — there is no separate fire-alarm-specific form or line item
  • The contractor performing sprinkler or alarm installation/service must hold a current Montana Fire Protection License (Business Entity and/or Individual Endorsement) issued by DLI's Business Standards Division boards office, separate from the permit itself
  • Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, MCA and ARM Title 24, Chapter 301 (building) or ARM 24.301.431 (electrical), as applicable to the component of work

Required documents

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

Not ready yet — 0 of 2 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29 →

Fee schedule

Fire Suppression (sprinkler) — Building Permit/Plan Review FeeMontana DLI Building Codes Bureau, 'Is a State Building Permit Needed?' guidance page — the same fee-calculation method already documented for Forsyth's commercial-building-permit-state entry, since fire suppression is checked as a Type Of Work option on the identical Building Permit/Plan Review Application
Generally 1%-2% of building valuation, calculated by the Building Codes Bureau after screening
Fire Alarm wiring — Commercial Electrical Permit (project value $0-$1,000)Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Commercial Electrical Permit — the general valuation-based fee schedule applied to ALL commercial electrical work in non-electrically-certified jurisdictions (Forsyth included), since no fire-alarm-specific line item exists on the form. Higher project-value tiers scale down to $75 for the 1st $1,000 + 2% ($1,001-$10,000), $255 for the 1st $10,000 + 0.5% ($10,001-$50,000), and $455 for the 1st $50,000 + 0.3% ($50,001+).
$45 for the first $500, plus 6% of the balance of the project cost

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm Permit (State-Issued) permit actually take in Forsyth?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    State Building Inspection (Fire Suppression system)

    Permit holder must call the Bureau's building inspector at least 24 hours before a requested inspection; the inspector then has 72 hours from notification to perform it — same process documented for the state Building Permit generally

  2. 2

    State Electrical Inspection (Fire Alarm wiring)

    Fire alarm system wiring is inspected as part of the standard state Commercial/Residential Electrical Permit inspection process

Tips

  • There is no separate 'fire sprinkler permit' or 'fire alarm permit' product in Forsyth — sprinkler systems are checked as 'Fire Suppression' Type Of Work on the same statewide Building Permit/Plan Review Application used for commercial construction, and fire alarm wiring is billed under the same general valuation-based Commercial Electrical Permit fee schedule used for any other electrical work.
  • Forsyth's own Fire Prevention Code (6-1-1) adopts only a generic, undated National Board of Fire Underwriters reference with no local permit-fee mechanism — everything routes to the state DLI Building Codes Bureau for both components.
  • The Montana Fire Protection License Program licenses the CONTRACTOR who performs sprinkler/alarm work, separate from the project permit itself — confirm your installer holds a current license before applying.
  • Budget separately for the Fire Suppression plan-review fee (1%-2% of valuation) AND the Commercial Electrical Permit fee for alarm wiring if a project includes both — they are billed through two different state applications.

Frequently asked questions

Forsyth requires a fire sprinkler & fire alarm permit (state-issued) for: Fire suppression (sprinkler) systems: check the 'Fire Suppression' box under Type Of Work on the Building Permit/Plan Review Application (BCP-1) and submit complete plans, subject to the same DLI Building Codes Bureau plan-review process documented for commercial building permits; Fire alarm systems: apply using the same statewide Commercial Electrical Permit application (or Residential Electrical Permit, for a residential-only project) used for any other electrical work in Forsyth, since the state issues all electrical permits here — there is no separate fire-alarm-specific form or line item; The contractor performing sprinkler or alarm installation/service must hold a current Montana Fire Protection License (Business Entity and/or Individual Endorsement) issued by DLI's Business Standards Division boards office, separate from the permit itself; Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, MCA and ARM Title 24, Chapter 301 (building) or ARM 24.301.431 (electrical), as applicable to the component of work. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Forsyth Building Department — city-certified for Building (B), RESIDENTIAL ONLY per the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's certified-jurisdiction roster (certified official on file: Gabe Martinsen). Commercial building permits, and Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits of ANY project type, within Forsyth city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. Rosebud County itself performs NO building or electrical permitting function for the city or the unincorporated county — confirmed directly on the Rosebud County Planner page. at (406) 346-2521 before starting work.

In Forsyth, the published Fire Suppression (sprinkler) — Building Permit/Plan Review Fee is: Generally 1%-2% of building valuation, calculated by the Building Codes Bureau after screening. Additional published fees: Fire Alarm wiring — Commercial Electrical Permit (project value $0-$1,000) — $45 for the first $500, plus 6% of the balance of the project cost. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Forsyth does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Forsyth Building Department — city-certified for Building (B), RESIDENTIAL ONLY per the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's certified-jurisdiction roster (certified official on file: Gabe Martinsen). Commercial building permits, and Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits of ANY project type, within Forsyth city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. Rosebud County itself performs NO building or electrical permitting function for the city or the unincorporated county — confirmed directly on the Rosebud County Planner page. at (406) 346-2521 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Building Permit/Plan Review Application (BCP-1) — Fire Suppression box checked; Commercial (or Residential) Electrical Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Forsyth requires 2 inspection(s) for a fire sprinkler & fire alarm permit (state-issued), in order: State Building Inspection (Fire Suppression system), State Electrical Inspection (Fire Alarm wiring). Schedule each through City of Forsyth Building Department — city-certified for Building (B), RESIDENTIAL ONLY per the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's certified-jurisdiction roster (certified official on file: Gabe Martinsen). Commercial building permits, and Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits of ANY project type, within Forsyth city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. Rosebud County itself performs NO building or electrical permitting function for the city or the unincorporated county — confirmed directly on the Rosebud County Planner page. ((406) 346-2521).

Apply through City of Forsyth Building Department — city-certified for Building (B), RESIDENTIAL ONLY per the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's certified-jurisdiction roster (certified official on file: Gabe Martinsen). Commercial building permits, and Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC permits of ANY project type, within Forsyth city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. Rosebud County itself performs NO building or electrical permitting function for the city or the unincorporated county — confirmed directly on the Rosebud County Planner page. at City Hall, 247 N 9th Ave, Forsyth, MT 59327. Phone: (406) 346-2521, email: Not published; contact City Hall at (406) 346-2521. Office hours: City Hall, 247 N 9th Ave, Forsyth, MT 59327, Monday-Friday (hours not published online as of this review). City Hall main line (406) 346-2521. The City of Forsyth's own website (forsythmt.info) is a Wix-hosted site whose 'Permit Application' and 'Code Information Consultation' pages are generic Wix Bookings service-page templates with no published fee schedule, application form, or department-specific contact beyond the main city phone number; no dedicated Building Department staff directory, direct-dial extension, or department email was found published anywhere on the site as of this review.. Official information: https://www.forsythmt.info/.

No. Forsyth's local Fire Prevention Code (6-1-1) contains no sprinkler or alarm permit-fee mechanism. Fire suppression (sprinkler) systems are permitted via the 'Fire Suppression' checkbox on the state DLI Building Permit/Plan Review Application, and fire alarm wiring is billed under the standard state Commercial or Residential Electrical Permit, since Forsyth holds no local Electrical certification and no Building certification for commercial work.

State DLI Building Codes Bureau inspectors — sprinkler systems under the Building Permit inspection process (24-hour notice, 72-hour turnaround), and alarm wiring under the standard state Electrical Permit inspection process.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-22.

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 Forsyth building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Other permits in Forsyth

Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration)Commercial Building Permit (State-Issued)Electrical Permit (State-Issued)Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit — State-Issued Electrical Permit Add-OnPlumbing Permit (State-Issued, incl. Water Heater)Mechanical / HVAC Permit (State-Issued)EV Charger / Electric Vehicle Charging Circuit Permit (State-Issued)Sign Permit (Zoning)Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy (State-Issued)

Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm Permit (State-Issued) in other cities

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

Compare fire sprinkler & fire alarm permit (state-issued) fees across Montana →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Forsyth project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Forsyth — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.

Get started →