Billings building permits

Building department

Address

316 N 26th St, 5th Floor, Billings, MT 59101

Phone

(406) 657-8270

Email

permits@billingsmt.gov

Office hours

Building Division front counter, 5th Floor, City Hall, 316 N. 26th St., Billings, MT 59101 (inspection requests: inspections@billingsmt.gov or 406-657-8270)

Website

Official site

Permit portal

Apply online at Billings's portal

Inspection guide

See how inspections work in Billings — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.

Codes adopted

Montana adopts a single statewide building code by rule and, by default, enforces it directly — local governments only gain enforcement authority once the state certifies them. Under the Montana Building Codes Act (Mont. Code Ann. Title 50, Chapter 60), the Department of Labor & Industry's Building Codes Bureau adopts one state building code applicable everywhere (§ 50-60-203, codified further at Administrative Rules of Montana Title 24, Chapter 301) — currently the 2021 editions of the IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, ISPSC, and UPC, with the 2020 NEC for electrical (effective statewide since 6/11/2022 per the Bureau's own Current Codes page). A city, county, or town may adopt and enforce its own building-code program under § 50-60-301, but its adopted code "may include only codes adopted by the Building Codes Bureau" — a local edition can never diverge from or be less stringent than the state's. Critically, under § 50-60-302, a local government cannot enforce ANY building code — even one it has formally adopted — until the Bureau certifies its program (requiring an approved code, a published fee schedule, an enforcement plan, and properly licensed or nationally certified inspectors); certification is granted per TRADE, not as one blanket designation. The Bureau's own "Certified City, County and Town Programs" list uses the key B=Building, P=Plumbing, E=Electrical, M=Mechanical, SP=Pool, W=Wildland-Urban-Interface — a jurisdiction can be certified for Building only while Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical remain directly state-enforced within the same city limits (e.g., Havre, Anaconda-Deer Lodge), or certified across all trades (e.g., Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell). Non-certified jurisdictions — most of Montana's unincorporated county land, since very few counties appear on the certified list — fall under direct enforcement by the state Building Codes Bureau (§ 50-60-304). Montana also exempts private homes and buildings of four or fewer dwelling units not serving transient guests from the state building-permit requirement entirely, though electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits remain separately required regardless. Always confirm with the specific jurisdiction which trades it is certified for versus which remain directly state-enforced.

• 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 (building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, swimming pool, etc.); a certified local program's adopted code 'may include only codes adopted by the Building Codes Bureau' (ARM 24.301.202). Non-certified areas fall under direct state administration by the DLI Building Codes Bureau. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Certified City, County and Town Programs and Current Codes pages (bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits).
• Billings is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building (B), Plumbing — Mechanical/Gas (P(M/G)), Electrical (E), Mechanical (M), and Swimming Pool (SP) within Billings city limits; certified program contact on file with DLI: Jessica Fust, (406) 657-8270. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Current Codes page (list of certified jurisdictions), bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/current-codes
• 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022; adopted by City of Billings, last readopted September 1, 2022 per Administrative Order #150
• 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022; adopted by City of Billings per Administrative Order #150. Note: per the City's Adopted Codes page, IRC Chapters 11-14 and 16-43 are deleted in their entirety; IRC Chapter 15 (Exhaust Systems) is adopted as an alternative to the IMC for exhaust systems only, with all other mechanical-system requirements for detached 1-2 family dwellings and townhouses (3 stories or less) found in the adopted IMC
• 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022
• 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022; adopted by City of Billings per Administrative Order #150
• 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022; adopted by City of Billings per Administrative Order #150
• 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022; adopted by City of Billings per Administrative Order #150
• 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022; adopted by City of Billings per Administrative Order #150 (Montana uses the Uniform Plumbing Code, not the International Plumbing Code)
• 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022; adopted by City of Billings per Administrative Order #150
• 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022; Billings is DLI-certified for swimming pool (SP) permitting
• 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) — per City of Billings Building Division FAQ, current adopted code list
• ICC A117.1-2017 Accessibility — effective statewide June 11, 2022 (state-adopted; referenced for commercial accessibility compliance)
• NFPA 99c, Standard on Gas and Vacuum Systems (medical gas), 2021 Edition — per City of Billings Adopted Codes page
• All codes amended by the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Title 24, Chapter 301. City of Billings Building Codes were last (re)adopted September 1, 2022 per Administrative Order #150

Permit types & fees

• Residential Building Permit (New Construction)

  Required for construction of new single-family homes, duplexes, and other one- and two-family dwellings in Billings. Reviewed against the 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC as adopted by the City of Billings (Administrative Order #150), plus City of Billings Design Criteria. Applications are submitted through the City's online CityView Portal, which the City rolled out March 2, 2026 to replace the prior GoPost system.

  →

• Residential Addition / Remodel / Alteration Permit

  Required for additions, remodels, and structural alterations to existing one- and two-family dwellings in Billings, including decks, garages, and interior remodels affecting structural or life-safety elements. Reviewed against the 2021 IRC as adopted by the City of Billings. Apply through the CityView Portal.

  →

• Electrical Permit

  Required for electrical installation, alteration, or repair work in Billings, governed by the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted statewide and by the City of Billings. Billings is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for electrical permitting.

  →

• EV Charger / EVSE Installation Permit

  Billings has no separate EV charger/EVSE permit category. A dedicated circuit for a home Level 2 EV charger is billed under the City of Billings Electrical Permit Fees schedule's existing 'Interior Rewire Only or New Addition to Home' line item, issued by the City of Billings Building Division (Billings is a Montana DLI-certified local jurisdiction for electrical permitting).

  →

• Plumbing Permit

  Required for plumbing installation, alteration, or repair work in Billings, governed by the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted statewide and by the City of Billings. Billings is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for plumbing (mechanical/gas) permitting.

  →

• Mechanical / HVAC Permit

  Required for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and related mechanical installations in Billings, governed by the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) as adopted by the City of Billings. Billings is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for mechanical permitting.

  →

• Re-Roofing Permit

  Required for residential and commercial re-roofing in Billings. Governed by the 2018 IRC roofing provisions per the City's published Roofing Guidelines, plus the Design Criteria wind and snow load requirements. May be submitted via email in addition to the CityView Portal.

  →

• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

  Required for installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems on properties in Billings. Governed by the City's Solar-Photovoltaic System Plan Requirements (rev. 02/23), the 2020 NEC (Article 705 interconnection requirements), and Design Criteria structural loads. Apply through the CityView Portal.

  →

• Demolition / Moving Permit

  Required for demolition or removal of any building within Billings city limits, and for moving a structure. Governed by City Code Chapter 6, Article 6-1000 (Demolition and Moving of Buildings), Division 3.

  →

• Fence and Retaining Wall Permit

  Fences and retaining walls in Billings are regulated by height and structural criteria, with two separate approval pathways: a Planning Department permit for mid-height fences, and a Building Division permit for tall fences and taller/load-bearing retaining walls.

  →

• Sign Permit

  Required to erect, place, modify the size or shape of, or convert most signs and their support structures in Billings, per City Code Sec. 27-1402(B) (Article 27-1400, Sign Code). Administered by the Planning Division; applications are submitted through the CityView Portal using the dedicated Sign or Fence Permit application type.

  →

• Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm System Permit

  Covers plan submittal and review of automatic sprinkler systems, alternative automatic extinguishing systems (clean agent, foam, CO2), and fire alarm systems for new and remodeled buildings in Billings. The Billings Fire Prevention Bureau's Deputy Fire Marshals assist with plans review, but sprinkler/alarm/extinguishing-system plans themselves are submitted to and reviewed by the City's contracted third-party plan reviewer, Fire Safety Consultants, Inc. (FSCI). The City organizes sprinkler, alternative-extinguishing, and alarm systems together on one submittal form rather than as separate permit products, so this entry covers all three as a single category.

  →

• Certificate of Occupancy

  Billings does not offer a separate, standalone 'change of use' permit application or fee. A Certificate of Occupancy notifies owners, buyers, or other interested parties that required inspections have been performed and the structure complies with adopted building codes; it is issued as the final step of whichever building/trade permit(s) cover the underlying construction or use-change work, funded through the permit fees already paid for that work — not through a distinct change-of-use product. For remodels and small additions, the City may issue a Certificate of Final Inspection instead.

  →

Comparable nearby cities