You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-07.
Choteau building permits
VerifiedChoteau, Montana — as published 2026-07-07.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family home construction, additions, and alterations within Choteau city limits. Issued by the City of Choteau under its DLI-certified local Building (B) program using a combined Zoning/Building Permit Application form. Reviewed by contracted Building Official Kyle Harlan against the state-adopted IBC/IRC/IECC editions referenced on the City's own permit packet.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Combined Zoning/Building Permit Application must be completed: project location, owner, contractor, and architect/designer contact information, change-of-use indication, flood plain zone indication, type of work (New/Addition/Alteration/Repair/Move/Re-Roof/Other), full description of work, and project valuation (prior value and completed value)
- A signed Zoning/Building Permit Acknowledgement Form must be submitted, acknowledging the City does not oversee contractors, does not review floodplain/property-line/accessibility compliance, and that the applicant is solely responsible for code compliance
- A Plot Plan must be submitted for new buildings, drawn to a 5-foot grid (1 inch = 20 feet), showing building/site/setback dimensions, easements, drainage or finish contours, first floor elevation, street elevation, sewer service elevation, water/sewer/gas/electrical service line locations, and survey pin locations, with north indicated
- If the property is in Flood Zone 'A', additional applications are required per the City's 2024 Floodplain Regulations
- Applicant must call Building Inspector Kyle Harlan at (406) 788-3398 prior to construction and during the project so required inspections can be scheduled
Required documents
- RequiredZoning/Building Permit ApplicationCombined City of Choteau form covering both the Zoning Permit and Building Permit application numbers, project description, valuation, and office-use fee block
- RequiredZoning/Building Permit Acknowledgement FormSigned acknowledgement of applicant/owner responsibility for code compliance; must be signed before permit issuance
- RequiredPlot PlanSite plan drawn on the City's graph-grid form showing building location, setbacks, utilities, and survey pins for new construction
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning, Building, Board of Appeals, Public Works, and (commercial-only) Plan Review fees | Not published as a fixed table by the City of Choteau — the permit application's 'For Office Use' block has blank dollar-amount lines for each fee category, filled in by city staff after review, unlike Billings/Havre which publish standalone valuation-based Fee Schedule PDFs. Confirmed via direct review of the City's Zoning/Building Permit Application form (choteaumt.org/s/Choteau-Zoning-and-Building-Permit-packet.pdf); no published amount exists to cite, so this is left null rather than estimated. Applicants must contact the City Office at (406) 466-2510 for a current quote. |
Re-Roofing Permit
VerifiedRequired for roof repair or replacement within Choteau city limits, using the same combined Zoning/Building Permit Application with 'Re-Roof' checked under Type of Work. The applicant must confirm receipt of the City's general re-roof/roofing requirements as part of the application certification.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Type of Work box 'Re-Roof' checked on the combined Zoning/Building Permit Application
- Applicant certifies on the application signature line: 'I have received a copy of the general re-roof/roofing requirements'
- Description of work, project valuation (prior and completed value), and property/owner/contractor information required as with any other permit type on this form
Required documents
- RequiredZoning/Building Permit Application (Re-Roof)Same combined City of Choteau form used for all building/zoning work, with 'Re-Roof' selected under Type of Work Planned
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Not published as a fixed table; filled in by city staff on the 'For Office Use' block after review. See residential-building-permit fee note for the same finding. |
Demolition / Building Move Permit
VerifiedRequired for demolishing or moving a structure within Choteau city limits, using the combined Zoning/Building Permit Application with 'Move' or 'Other' (for demolition) checked under Type of Work.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Type of Work box 'Move' checked for relocating a structure into, out of, or within city limits; demolition is captured under 'Other' with a full description of work attached
- Full description of the scope of work must be attached on a separate page per the application's instructions
- Project valuation (prior value and completed/post-project value) must be provided
- Signed Zoning/Building Permit Acknowledgement Form required, same as new construction
Required documents
- RequiredZoning/Building Permit Application (Move/Other)Same combined City of Choteau form with 'Move' or 'Other' selected and a full work-scope description attached
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building/Zoning permit fee | Not published as a fixed table; filled in by city staff on the 'For Office Use' block after review. |
Zoning Permit (Fence, Sign, Accessory Structure)
VerifiedA Zoning Permit — separate in purpose from (though co-located on the same form as) a Building Permit — is required for fences, signs, and other site improvements within Choteau city limits. Zoning permits are explicitly not a substitute for a building permit where one is otherwise required.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Zoning permits are required for new home and business construction, additions, fences, and signs; approval from the City Office is required before work begins
- A zoning permit is NOT the same as a building permit; projects that also require structural work need the Building Permit side of the combined application as well
- Fees for zoning permits are set by City Council resolution
- A denied zoning permit application may be appealed to the Board of Adjustments; Board of Adjustments decisions may be further appealed to District Court
Required documents
- RequiredZoning/Building Permit Application (Zoning Permit Application number)Same combined City of Choteau form; the Zoning Permit Application field/number is used for fence, sign, and similar site-improvement approvals
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning permit fee | Set by City Council resolution; not published as a fixed public table. Confirmed via City of Choteau Services page and permit packet 'For Office Use' block. |
Electrical Permit (State-Issued)
VerifiedBecause Choteau is DLI-certified for Building only, electrical work anywhere within Choteau city limits requires a Residential (or Commercial) Electrical Permit issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not by the City of Choteau, under the 2020 NEC.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Application must be signed and dated by the licensed electrical contractor's person in charge, or filed as a homeowner permit for owner-performed work
- Payment must be submitted with the application; incomplete applications are returned unprocessed
- Property address, GEOCODE/parcel/lot/block, owner information, and power company must be provided
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form; mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin — up to 200-amp service (includes meter base and attached garages if wired at the same time) | $200 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit (Rev. 12/22) — same statewide fee schedule that applies to all non-electrically-certified Montana jurisdictions, including Choteau |
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin — 201 to 400-amp service | $380 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (Rev. 12/22) |
| Residential Change of Service — exterior meter base & interior/exterior main disconnect only | $45 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (Rev. 12/22) |
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
VerifiedSolar PV installation in Choteau is split across the same two permitting authorities as any other trade in this Building-only-certified city: a City of Choteau Building/Zoning Permit for racking/structural mounting (fee not published, filled in by city staff on the 'For Office Use' block after review, same as every other Choteau building-permit scope), and a State of Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau Residential Electrical Permit for the interconnection, issued directly by the State since Choteau holds Building certification only. The State's own Application for Residential Electrical Permit form (Rev. 12/22) contains a genuine, distinct 'Alternative Energy Source' line: a flat $65 add-on fee to whatever base electrical-service fee applies, triggered by checking 'Solar' (vs. Wind or Hydro) and then selecting either 'Micro Inverter/AC Module System' or 'PV String System' as the installation type.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- City of Choteau combined Zoning/Building Permit Application required for the racking/structural mounting portion, with a Plot Plan showing panel/array location, same as any other structural project
- Separate State of Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau Application for Residential Electrical Permit required for the grid interconnection, since Choteau is not electrically certified
- On the state electrical application, check 'Yes' under 'Does this project consist of, or include an Alternative Energy Source?', select 'Solar' as the alternative energy type, and select either 'Micro Inverter/AC Module System' or 'PV String System' as the installation type
- The $65 Alternative Energy Source fee is added on top of whichever base service-type fee applies from the state's standard table (e.g. Single Family Dwelling up to 200-amp service $200, or a smaller Residential Change of Service fee if no new service is involved)
- Application must be signed and dated by the licensed electrical contractor's person in charge; incomplete applications are returned unprocessed
- Call Building Inspector Kyle Harlan at (406) 788-3398 prior to construction and during the project to schedule the City's own structural inspections
Required documents
- RequiredZoning/Building Permit Application (racking/structural)Same combined City of Choteau form used for all building/zoning work
- RequiredPlot PlanSite plan showing panel/array location, drawn on the City's graph-grid form
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical Permit (State DLI, Alternative Energy Source section completed)Montana Building Codes Bureau statewide form; mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov; 'Solar' checked under Alternative Energy Source with the $65 add-on fee included
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City Building/Zoning permit fee (racking/structural) | Not published as a fixed table by the City of Choteau, consistent with every other Choteau building-permit entry in this file -- filled in by city staff on the 'For Office Use' block after review. Confirmed via direct review of the City's Zoning/Building Permit Application form on 2026-07-20; no solar-specific city fee line exists. | |
| State Electrical Permit -- Alternative Energy Source (Solar) add-on | $65.00 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit (Rev. 12/22) -- a genuine, distinct statewide fee line: 'If yes, please include an additional $65 fee to the already selected type of work from above table,' with a checkbox for Solar (vs. Wind/Hydro) and a further choice between Micro Inverter/AC Module System and PV String System. Added on top of the applicable base service-type fee (e.g. $200 for Single Family Dwelling up to 200-amp service, or $45 for a Residential Change of Service with only a meter base/disconnect). |
Plumbing Permit (State-Issued, incl. Water Heater)
VerifiedBecause Choteau is DLI-certified for Building only, plumbing work anywhere within Choteau city limits — including water heater installation/replacement — requires a Plumbing Permit issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not by the City of Choteau, under the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Application must be signed by the Master Plumber and include the Master Plumber License Number, or filed as a homeowner permit for owner-performed work where allowed
- Property address, county, and whether the job is inside city limits must be indicated
- Type of Building and Type of Work must be indicated; sewer service type (public/septic) and potable water source must be indicated
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 505, MCA and ARM 24.301.301 / 24.301.361
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Plumbing PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Each NEW water heater (or replacement) | $25 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1) statewide Fee Schedule — same schedule applied to all non-plumbing-certified jurisdictions, including Choteau |
| Each plumbing fixture or trap | $10 per fixture/trap | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1) statewide Fee Schedule |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit (State-Issued)
VerifiedBecause Choteau is DLI-certified for Building only, mechanical/HVAC work anywhere within Choteau city limits requires a Mechanical Permit issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not by the City of Choteau, under the 2021 International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Project Value must be provided; permit fee is calculated from the state's valuation-based fee schedule
- Type of Building and Type of Work must be indicated
- Boiler work requires a separate Boiler Permit form, not the Mechanical Permit
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 104, MCA and ARM 24.301.172
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Mechanical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit — Project value $0-$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) statewide Fee Schedule — same schedule applied to all non-mechanically-certified jurisdictions, including Choteau |
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedChoteau has no dedicated EV charger/EVSE permit type. Choteau is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building only, with no certification in Electrical -- so, exactly as with the solar-pv-permit entry's electrical/interconnection component in this file, an EVSE circuit installation requires a Residential Electrical Permit issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena (not the City of Choteau), under the 2020 NEC. Choteau's own municipal City Building/Zoning Permit would apply only if the install requires new structural work (e.g. a dedicated equipment pad or enclosure), which is not typical for a standard EVSE circuit. The State's own Application for Residential Electrical Permit form (Rev. 12/22) contains an exact governing line item for this scope: under 'Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire,' item H, '1 additional circuit or piece of equipment,' is $45 -- this is precisely the scope of a standard dedicated EVSE circuit added to an existing service, confirmed by direct reading of the fee-schedule PDF on 2026-07-20 (not merely inferred from an adjacent line).
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical work for an EVSE circuit anywhere within Choteau city limits requires a Residential (or Commercial) Electrical Permit issued by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, because Choteau holds no DLI Electrical certification
- Apply using the Montana DLI Application for Residential Electrical Permit (or Commercial equivalent)
- A City of Choteau Building/Zoning Permit is separately required only if the installation involves new structural work; a simple wall-mounted EVSE circuit typically would not trigger this
- No EV-charger-specific line item exists by name, but the state's own service-tier fee table maps a standard EVSE circuit to Type of Work item H, '1 additional circuit or piece of equipment' ($45), on the Application for Residential Electrical Permit
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical Permit (Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau)State-issued application form, submitted to the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena because Choteau is not DLI-certified for Electrical
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire -- item H: 1 additional circuit or piece of equipment | $45 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit (Rev. 12/22), Type of Work table, item H -- the governing line item for a standard dedicated EVSE circuit added to an existing panel/service. Confirmed by direct read of the fee-schedule PDF on 2026-07-20. |
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin -- up to 200-amp service (includes meter base and attached garages if wired at the same time) | $200 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (Rev. 12/22), item A -- applies instead of the $45 circuit-addition fee if the EVSE install requires a new or upgraded electrical service rather than just an additional circuit |
| Residential Change of Service -- exterior meter base & interior/exterior main disconnect only | $45 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (Rev. 12/22), item I -- applies instead if the EVSE install involves only a service/panel change rather than a new service or simple circuit addition |
Sign Permit (Zoning Permit for Signage)
VerifiedChoteau does not have a separate sign-permit application or a standalone, independently numbered sign ordinance chapter available online -- signage is regulated as part of the City's Zoning Permit process. The City's own Services page states that Zoning Permits are required for 'new home and business construction, additions, fences, and signs,' using the same combined Zoning/Building Permit Application (Zoning Permit Application number) used for all other zoning-governed work in the city. A sign large enough to require structural review would also use the Building Permit Application number and the form's 'Plan Review (Commercial Only)' fee line.
Verified 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Approval from the City Office is required before erecting, altering, or placing a sign within Choteau city limits, per the City's Services page listing of items requiring a Zoning Permit
- Use the combined Zoning/Building Permit Application, entering a Zoning Permit Application number; if the sign involves structural work (e.g. a freestanding pole/monument sign foundation), the Building Permit Application number and a Plot Plan are also required
- For commercial signage, the application's 'Plan Review (Commercial Only)' fee line applies in addition to the Zoning fee line
- A denied sign/zoning permit application may be appealed to the Board of Adjustments, and Board of Adjustments decisions may be further appealed to District Court
Required documents
- RequiredZoning/Building Permit Application (Zoning Permit Application number)Same combined City of Choteau form used for fences, signs, and other site improvements; no sign-specific application form is published separately
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning permit fee | Set by City Council resolution, not published as a fixed public table. Confirmed via direct review of the City of Choteau Services page and the Zoning/Building Permit Application's 'For Office Use' block on 2026-07-22, same finding as the fence-sign-zoning-permit entry in this file. | |
| Plan Review (Commercial Only) | A distinct blank fee line exists on the City's Zoning/Building Permit Application specifically for commercial-scope plan review (would apply to a commercial sign requiring structural/plan review), confirmed by direct read of the application form on 2026-07-22; no fixed dollar amount is published. |
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm System Permit (State Fire Marshal Review)
Fire protection systems (sprinklers, alarms) are regulated under Montana's Fire Code (Title 50, chapter 61, MCA and ARM Title 23, chapter 12 -- the International Fire Code, 2021 edition), administered by the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) -- a wholly separate regulatory track from the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau/local Building certification that governs Choteau's other building-permit entries in this file. Choteau's DLI 'Building (B) only' certification does NOT extend to fire code/fire protection systems. Confirmed directly against the SFMO's own current 'Fire Inspection Certified Jurisdiction' roster (updated 11/18/2025): Choteau is NOT among the roughly two dozen certified jurisdictions listed (Belgrade, Big Sky, Billings, Bozeman, Butte/Silver Bow County, Central Valley, Columbia Falls, Glendive, Great Falls, Havre, Hebgen Basin/West Yellowstone, Helena, Laurel, Libby, Livingston, Lockwood, Miles City, Missoula City, Missoula Rural, Plentywood, Polson, Red Lodge, Sidney, Whitefish, Yellowstone Club). Per MCA 50-61-114, when a local government's own fire inspection program does not exist, 'a fire inspector of the department of justice' performs inspections in place of a local fire chief/inspector -- so fire protection system work in Choteau is reviewed/inspected by the State Fire Marshal's Office, not the City of Choteau or a local fire district.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Fire sprinkler and fire alarm system installation, alteration, and servicing must be performed by a business holding a current Montana Board of Fire Protection (DLI) license (Business Entity -- Sell, Install and Service, or the equivalent Individual Endorsement)
- Because Choteau does not appear on the Montana State Fire Marshal Office's IFC-2021 Certified Jurisdiction roster, fire code compliance review/inspection of fire protection systems is carried out by a Department of Justice fire inspector rather than a City of Choteau or local fire-district official, per MCA 50-61-114
- The City of Choteau's own Zoning/Building Permit Acknowledgement Form does not cover fire-protection-system compliance -- it explicitly limits the City's review to building, zoning, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes, so fire-sprinkler/alarm compliance sits outside the City's own permit review regardless of a City Building/Zoning Permit also being pulled for the same project
- Contact the Deputy State Fire Marshal assigned to Teton County -- Doug Ulsh (covers Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Hill, Liberty, Pondera, Teton and Toole Counties), (406) 431-3172 -- to initiate plan submission/inspection for a Choteau fire protection system project
Required documents
- RequiredMontana Board of Fire Protection contractor license (held by the installing/servicing business, not filed per-project by the property owner)DLI Board of Fire Protection Business Entity (Sell, Install and Service) or Individual Endorsement license; required of the contractor performing the work
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Board of Fire Protection Business Entity license -- initial application fee | $200 | Montana DLI Board of Fire Protection license-information page, confirmed 2026-07-22 -- this is a one-time/annual CONTRACTOR licensing fee paid by the installing business, not a per-project plan-review or permit fee. No per-project SFMO plan-review or permit fee could be located published online for fire sprinkler/alarm work in Choteau specifically or in non-certified Montana jurisdictions generally. |
Change of Use Permit
VerifiedChoteau does not issue a separate Change of Use Permit or Certificate of Occupancy document. Change of use is a Yes/No checkbox field ('Change of Use Yes ___ No ___') directly on the City's combined Zoning/Building Permit Application -- confirmed by direct review of the application form on 2026-07-22 -- meaning a change-of-use project is processed through the exact same City Building/Zoning review as new construction, additions, or alterations, rather than through a distinct product or application. Per the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's own Building Permit FAQ, a state building permit (including for a change of occupancy) is required only 'except for projects located within the jurisdictional limits of a local government program' -- since Choteau holds its own DLI Building certification, change-of-occupancy review for property within city limits stays with the City (Building Official Kyle Harlan) rather than routing to the state.
Verified 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Check 'Yes' under 'Change of Use' on the combined Zoning/Building Permit Application and provide a full description of the proposed new use, per the form's 'Description of Work' field
- Project valuation (prior value and completed value) must be provided, same as any other permit type on this form
- For a commercial change of use, the application's 'Plan Review (Commercial Only)' fee line applies in addition to the Zoning and Building fee lines
- Signed Zoning/Building Permit Acknowledgement Form required, same as new construction -- the City does not review or certify accessibility (ADA) compliance, floodplain location, or property lines as part of this or any other permit type
Required documents
- RequiredZoning/Building Permit Application ('Change of Use: Yes' checked)Same combined City of Choteau form used for all building/zoning work; no separate change-of-use or certificate-of-occupancy application exists
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning and Building permit fees | Not published as a fixed table; filled in by city staff on the 'For Office Use' block after review, same finding as every other Choteau building-permit entry in this file. | |
| Plan Review (Commercial Only) | A distinct blank fee line exists on the application specifically for commercial-scope plan review, which would apply to a commercial change of use; confirmed by direct read of the application form on 2026-07-22, no fixed dollar amount published. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
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 Choteau building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.