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Change of Use / Change of Occupancy (Certificate of Occupancy) in Glasgow, Montana

Glasgow does not have a standalone Change of Use or Certificate of Occupancy application, product, or fee. A 'CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY FROM ____ TO ____ OCCUPANCY' field is built directly into the City's standard Application for Building Permit -- the same combined form used for all new construction, additions, and alterations (Building Permit Packet PDF, page 6, Legal Description section of the application form). This means a change of use/occupancy in Glasgow is processed as a Building-Permit-class action through the Public Works/Building Codes Department, not through a separate certificate-of-occupancy office or process. Montana state law, MCA 50-60-107, separately establishes that 'a certificate of occupancy for a building constructed in accordance with the provisions of the state building code or county, city, or town building code must certify that the building conforms to the requirements of the building regulations applicable to it,' and that such a certificate, once issued, is binding and conclusive on all local agencies unless set aside by a court.

Verified 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • File the standard Application for Building Permit, completing the 'CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY FROM ___ TO ___ OCCUPANCY' field in the Legal Description section, alongside standard owner/contractor/architect contact information and the class-of-work designation
  • Same supporting materials as any other Building Permit application apply where relevant to the change (e.g., plot plan, construction/floor plan) if the change of occupancy involves any physical alteration; per MCA 50-60-107 the certificate must certify the building conforms to applicable building regulations for the new occupancy
  • No separate change-of-use or certificate-of-occupancy fee, form, or office was found distinct from the general Building Permit process -- this KB's residential-building-permit entry documents the same unresolved fee-schedule gap that would apply here
  • Because Glasgow is Building-certified but not Electrical/Plumbing-certified (see codesAdopted), a change of occupancy involving those trades would still require separate State DLI-issued Electrical/Plumbing permits per this KB's electrical-permit-state and plumbing-permit-state entries

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building permit fee (change of occupancy, processed via the standard Building Permit Application)Same fee-schedule gap as the general Residential Building Permit entry -- Glasgow publishes no fixed fee table (City Building Permit Packet, Public Works page, Municode). Contact the Building Codes Department at (406) 228-2476 ext. 8 for a current quote.
Not published — contact the department

Review timeline

Plan reviewGlasgow’s published plan-review target
4–7 business days

How long did your Change of Use / Change of Occupancy (Certificate of Occupancy) permit actually take in Glasgow?

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

Inspection process

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

    Tips

    • Glasgow does not issue a separate 'Certificate of Occupancy' document or maintain a distinct change-of-use office -- a change of occupancy is simply a field on the same Application for Building Permit used for new construction, additions, and alterations.
    • Under Montana state law (MCA 50-60-107), a properly issued certificate of occupancy is binding on all local agencies -- keep your issued Building Permit/occupancy documentation on file as your proof of compliance for the approved occupancy classification.
    • If your change of use also involves physical alteration work (walls, additions, etc.) or trade work outside the City's Building-only certification, budget for the corresponding separate City Building Permit requirements and/or State DLI Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical permits documented elsewhere in this KB.

    Frequently asked questions

    Glasgow requires a change of use / change of occupancy (certificate of occupancy) permit for: File the standard Application for Building Permit, completing the 'CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY FROM ___ TO ___ OCCUPANCY' field in the Legal Description section, alongside standard owner/contractor/architect contact information and the class-of-work designation; Same supporting materials as any other Building Permit application apply where relevant to the change (e.g., plot plan, construction/floor plan) if the change of occupancy involves any physical alteration; per MCA 50-60-107 the certificate must certify the building conforms to applicable building regulations for the new occupancy; No separate change-of-use or certificate-of-occupancy fee, form, or office was found distinct from the general Building Permit process -- this KB's residential-building-permit entry documents the same unresolved fee-schedule gap that would apply here; Because Glasgow is Building-certified but not Electrical/Plumbing-certified (see codesAdopted), a change of occupancy involving those trades would still require separate State DLI-issued Electrical/Plumbing permits per this KB's electrical-permit-state and plumbing-permit-state entries. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Glasgow Public Works Department / Building Codes Department — Rod Dees, Code Compliance Officer; city-certified for Building (B) permits only. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical permits within Glasgow city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. at (406) 228-2476 before starting work.

    Glasgow's published plan-review target for a change of use / change of occupancy (certificate of occupancy) permit is 4–7 business days.

    You'll need: Application for Building Permit. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through City of Glasgow Public Works Department / Building Codes Department — Rod Dees, Code Compliance Officer; city-certified for Building (B) permits only. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical permits within Glasgow city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. at 319 3rd Street South, Glasgow, MT 59230. Phone: (406) 228-2476, email: codecompliance@cityofglasgowmt.com. Office hours: City Hall: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM, closed federal holidays. Code Compliance Officer Rod Dees: (406) 228-2476 ext. 8, cell (406) 263-3386. Public Works Department can also be reached at (406) 228-2476 ext. 4 for pre-submittal project discussions.. Official information: https://www.cityofglasgowmt.com/public-works-department.

    Glasgow, 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 in a partially-certified jurisdiction fall under direct state administration by the DLI Building Codes Bureau. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Certified City, County and Town Programs list (bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits).; Glasgow is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building (B) ONLY within city limits; certified building official on file with DLI: Rod Dees, (406) 228-2476. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, 'Montana Certified Local Government Program' roster, updated 04/22/2026, https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf, which lists 'Glasgow | B | Rod Dees | 228-2476 | City Limits'.; Per the City of Glasgow's own 'General Information for Building Permit Applications' packet (Public Information Sheet GIPBA No. 4, dated 11/17/2021): all building designs and plans must adhere to the 2018 International Residential Code, 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2018 International Existing Building Code, 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2012 International Energy Code, and the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code, plus applicable local zoning codes. Source: City of Glasgow Building Permit Packet, cityofglasgowmt.com/_files/ugd/2ff7f3_a263251865d842a9b7db016c72ebf448.pdf; The 2021 editions govern. The City's own permit packet (dated 11/17/2021) cites 2018-edition I-codes and the 2012 IECC, while Montana DLI's statewide Current Codes page lists 2021 editions; Glasgow's own Municipal Code settles the discrepancy — Chapter 8, Article II adopts the 2021 editions by section, each 'Pursuant to MCA 50-60-301 and ARM 24.301.202'. The City packet is simply out of date relative to the City's own codified ordinance. City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) (nodeId COOR_CH8BUBURE); codification current through Ordinance No. 981, adopted 2022-08-15, online content updated 2023-12-01.; The City of Glasgow's own Building Permit Packet contains an internal inconsistency regarding Mechanical permits: one bullet in the 'General Information' page states 'The City of Glasgow also issues plumbing/mechanical permits,' while a later 'NOTICE' section in the same packet states plainly: 'The City of Glasgow covers Building Permits and Mechanical Permits; the State of Montana issues plumbing and electrical plans for work in the city.' The DLI's own certified-jurisdictions roster (updated 04/22/2026) lists Glasgow's certification as 'B' ONLY, with no 'M' code shown (contrast with e.g. Havre or Choteau, also 'B' only, or Belgrade/Billings which show explicit 'M' certification). Given the DLI roster is the authoritative statewide certification record, this KB treats Mechanical permits in Glasgow as STATE-ISSUED (routed to the DLI Building Codes Bureau) consistent with the official 'B'-only certification, while flagging the City's own document's contrary claim as an unresolved discrepancy applicants should verify directly with (406) 228-2476 ext. 8 before assuming which office issues a mechanical permit.; International Building Code, 2021 edition — adopted at Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-23, 'as amended by ARM 24.301.131 and all accompanying appendices, amendments, and modifications adopted by the building codes bureau, state department of labor and industry', pursuant to MCA 50-60-301 and ARM 24.301.202. City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) (nodeId COOR_CH8BUBURE); codification current through Ordinance No. 981, adopted 2022-08-15, online content updated 2023-12-01.; International Residential Code, 2021 edition — adopted at Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-24, as amended by ARM 24.301.154, for detached single- or two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories and their accessory structures. City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) (nodeId COOR_CH8BUBURE); codification current through Ordinance No. 981, adopted 2022-08-15, online content updated 2023-12-01.; International Fuel Gas Code — adopted at Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-25 'as adopted by the state in ARM 24.301.173'. NOTE: Sec. 8-25 is the one adoption section in Article II that cites NO edition year of its own; the edition is whatever ARM 24.301.173 currently carries. Stated as the section states it rather than assumed to be 2021 by analogy with Secs. 8-23, 8-24, 8-26 and 8-27. City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) (nodeId COOR_CH8BUBURE); codification current through Ordinance No. 981, adopted 2022-08-15, online content updated 2023-12-01.; International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition — adopted at Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-26, as amended by ARM 24.301.171, usable 'as an alternative prescriptive method for the remodel, repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition, and relocation of existing buildings'. City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) (nodeId COOR_CH8BUBURE); codification current through Ordinance No. 981, adopted 2022-08-15, online content updated 2023-12-01.; International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 edition — adopted at Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-27, as amended by ARM 24.301.161. This supersedes the 2012 IECC cited in the City's own 2021 permit packet. City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) (nodeId COOR_CH8BUBURE); codification current through Ordinance No. 981, adopted 2022-08-15, online content updated 2023-12-01.; Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (current edition, published by the General Services Administration) — adopted by reference at Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-28(a), together with the appendices, amendments and modifications adopted by the state building codes bureau as set out in the Administrative Rules of Montana. City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) (nodeId COOR_CH8BUBURE); codification current through Ordinance No. 981, adopted 2022-08-15, online content updated 2023-12-01.; Uniform Plumbing Code (current edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) — adopted by reference at Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-88(a), with the ARM amendments. NOTE this is a UPC jurisdiction for plumbing, not an IPC one; plumbing permits themselves are issued by the Montana DLI rather than the City, per localAmendments. City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) (nodeId COOR_CH8BUBURE); codification current through Ordinance No. 981, adopted 2022-08-15, online content updated 2023-12-01.; City of Glasgow Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article II (Technical Codes) adopts seven codes by section.. Local amendments apply — see the Glasgow overview page for the full list.

    No standalone certificate-of-occupancy product or application was found. A change of occupancy is documented via a dedicated field on the City's standard Application for Building Permit, processed by the Public Works/Building Codes Department like any other building permit action.

    File the City's Application for Building Permit and complete the 'Change of Occupancy From/To' field in the Legal Description section. There is no separate change-of-use permit or fee documented apart from the general Building Permit process; contact the Building Codes Department, (406) 228-2476 ext. 8, for project-specific guidance and a fee quote.

    Sources & verification

    Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-22.

    Applications & forms

    Codes & ordinances

    Department & other records

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

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