Residential Plumbing Permit (State-Issued, including Water Heater) in Laurel, Montana
VerifiedRequired for plumbing work anywhere within Laurel city limits, including new water heater installation/replacement. Because Laurel is NOT DLI-certified for Plumbing, this permit is issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau (Helena) under the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, not the city.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Application must be signed by the Master Plumber and include Master Plumber License Number
- Accurate location and owner information required; property address, county, and whether the job is located inside city limits must be indicated
- Type of Building and Type of Work (New, Alteration/Addition) must be indicated
- Sewer Service Type (Public Sewer or Septic) and Potable Water Source must be indicated
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 505, MCA and ARM 24.301.301 and ARM 24.301.361
Required documents
- Required
Application for Plumbing Permit
Montana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1, Rev. 10/2019); 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, Rev. 10/2019), Fee Schedule |
| Each connection of building water supply to water service/public utility or private well | $20 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 10/2019), Fee Schedule |
| Each connection of building drain to sewer system/public or septic | $20 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 10/2019), Fee Schedule |
| Each plumbing fixture or trap (bath tub, lavatory, shower, water closet, kitchen sink, etc.) | $10 per fixture/trap | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 10/2019), Fee Schedule |
| Repair or alteration of drainage or vent piping | $30 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 10/2019), Fee Schedule |
| Gray water system, commercial or residential | $60 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1, Rev. 10/2019), Fee Schedule |
Review timeline
1–21 business days
Laurel’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
Tips
- Because this permit is issued by the state Building Codes Bureau, the governing review timeline is the Bureau's own published figure: 'On average it takes three weeks for a plan to be reviewed' (Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Building Permits page), with the Bureau's FAQ noting the process 'may take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks depending upon the bureau's work load, the size of the project and the number of items that must be modified.' Encoded here as 1–21 calendar days.
- Plumbing permits within Laurel city limits are issued by the STATE Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not the city — mail applications and payment to PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or apply online at ebiz.mt.gov.
- A straightforward water heater replacement is a flat $25 state fee.
- Master Plumber signature and license number are required fields on the application.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Laurel?
- Yes. Water heater installation or replacement requires a state Plumbing Permit for $25, issued by the Montana Building Codes Bureau (not the city), since Laurel is not plumbing-certified. Apply by mail to PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or online at ebiz.mt.gov.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Laurel Building Department — city-certified for Building (B) and Swimming Pool (SP) only; Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel/Gas permits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau — official building department
- City of Laurel Building/Building Code Enforcement page (confirms state routing)
- Application for Plumbing Permit (PDF, BCP-1, Rev. 10/2019)
- Montana Building Codes Bureau — Certified City, County and Town Programs (PDF)
- Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau — Building Permits (review timeline: 'On average it takes three weeks for a plan to be reviewed')
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 Laurel building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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