How long does building permit review take in Billings?

Once a complete plan has been submitted and any special issues addressed, initial review takes 4-7 business days for residential (single-family and duplex) projects; Commercial-Minor takes 2-4 weeks and Commercial-Major takes 3-6 weeks. Source: City of Billings Building Division FAQ.

Where do I submit a building permit application in Billings?

Applications are submitted online via the CityView Portal at cityview.billingsmt.gov/Portal/, which the City of Billings launched March 2, 2026. The Building Division is located on the 5th floor of City Hall, 316 N. 26th Street.

Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Billings, Montana

Verified

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.

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

From$30.00Residential and Commercial Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $1,000 — see all 8 fees below

When you need this permit

Building permit required for new single-family and two-family dwelling construction
Plans must comply with the 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC as adopted by City of Billings Administrative Order #150
Plans must show compliance with City of Billings Design Criteria: 30 psf minimum roof snow load (Pf), 110 MPH residential wind design speed (Exposure C), 42-inch minimum frost/foundation depth, Seismic Design Category A for residential
Commercial plans (not one/two-family) must be stamped by a Montana-licensed architect or engineer; plumbing and electrical detail may be excluded on single-family plan sets provided mechanical equipment locations are shown
Application submitted online via the CityView Portal (cityview.billingsmt.gov/Portal/)
Only one electronic set of plans is required since submittal is electronic

Required documents

Required
Building Permit Application
Submitted online through the CityView Portal at cityview.billingsmt.gov/Portal/
Required
Residential Plan Checklist
City of Billings checklist for residential plan submittals
Required
Construction Drawings
Site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, framing, elevations, and structural details consistent with the 2021 IRC and City of Billings Design Criteria
Required
Design Criteria Compliance Documentation
Plan sheet documenting snow load, wind speed, frost depth, and seismic design category per City of Billings Design Criteria

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Residential and Commercial Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $1,000	$30.00	City of Billings Building Permit Fees schedule (Residential and Commercial Building Permit Fees table)
Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,001 to $2,000	$45.00	City of Billings Building Permit Fees schedule
Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $25,000	$45.00 for the first $2,000, plus $9.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof	City of Billings Building Permit Fees schedule
Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,001 to $50,000	$252.00 for the first $25,000, plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof	City of Billings Building Permit Fees schedule
Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,001 to $100,000	$422.75 for the first $50,000, plus $4.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof	City of Billings Building Permit Fees schedule
Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001 to $500,000	$652.75 for the first $100,000, plus $3.25 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof	City of Billings Building Permit Fees schedule
Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001 to $1,000,000	$2,072.75 for the first $500,000, plus $2.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof	City of Billings Building Permit Fees schedule
Other Inspections and Fees (re-inspection, after-hours inspection, unlisted inspection, additional plan review)	$45.00 minimum (two-hour minimum for after-hours; half-hour minimum for extra plan review), or total hourly City cost if greater	City of Billings Building Permit Fees schedule

Review timeline

4–7 business days

Billings’s published plan-review target

Inspection process

1
Foundation/Footing
Before concrete pour — verify forms, rebar, and foundation depth meets 42-inch minimum frost depth
2
Framing
Per City of Billings Framing Inspection checklist: moisture barrier, window/roof flashing, bottom-plate anchor bolting, floor/wall/roof framing per plans, attic and crawlspace access, egress windows, smoke alarm rough-in, and fire-rated construction
3
Mechanical Rough-In
Per City of Billings Mechanical Rough Inspection checklist: dryer vent length/support, combustion air, vent clearances, exhaust fan termination, duct sealing and insulation
4
Residential Final
Per City of Billings Residential Final Inspection checklist: address posted, exterior grading and caulking, deck/patio compliance, fire separation at garage, attic/crawlspace access, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, handrails/guardrails, final plumbing and mechanical verification

Tips

The City of Billings rolled out a new Community Development software platform, CityView, on March 2, 2026, replacing the prior GoPost online portal — use cityview.billingsmt.gov/Portal/ for all current submittals.
Initial plan review takes 4-7 business days for residential (single-family and duplex) once a complete plan set is submitted and any special issues (variances, special reviews, subdivisions) are resolved. Source: City of Billings Building Division FAQ.
Design Criteria compliance (30 psf snow load, 110 mph wind, 42-inch frost depth, Seismic Category A) must be documented on submitted plans.
To request an inspection, email inspections@billingsmt.gov or call (406) 657-8270.
Plans are reviewed in the order received; single-family and minor projects are mixed in with more complex plans rather than expedited ahead of them.

Frequently asked questions

How long does building permit review take in Billings?: Once a complete plan has been submitted and any special issues addressed, initial review takes 4-7 business days for residential (single-family and duplex) projects; Commercial-Minor takes 2-4 weeks and Commercial-Major takes 3-6 weeks. Source: City of Billings Building Division FAQ.
Where do I submit a building permit application in Billings?: Applications are submitted online via the CityView Portal at cityview.billingsmt.gov/Portal/, which the City of Billings launched March 2, 2026. The Building Division is located on the 5th floor of City Hall, 316 N. 26th Street.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.

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

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