Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Laurel, Montana
VerifiedRequired for new single-family and two-family dwelling construction within Laurel city limits. Reviewed against the 2021 IRC (Laurel City Code Chapter 14.16) and 2021 IECC (Chapter 14.22) as locally adopted by the City of Laurel. Laurel is a Montana DLI-certified Building (B) jurisdiction; applications are submitted on the city's universal Construction Permit and Application form at City Hall.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Building permit required for new single-family and two-family dwelling construction within city limits
- Plans must comply with the 2021 IRC (Laurel City Code Ch. 14.16) and 2021 IECC (Ch. 14.22) as locally adopted
- Application must include job address, owner and contractor contact information (with current City of Laurel business license number for the general contractor), subdivision/lot/block/tract, zoning, valuation of project, description of work, occupancy, type of construction, number of units, total square feet, and rated walls
- Applicant must call Montana One-Call (1-800-424-5555) at least two business days before digging
- Work must not commence before permit issuance; the Building Permit Fee doubles if work has started prior to issuance
- Permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance, unless a written extension request is submitted to and approved by the Building Department
- Permit holder must give the Building Department 24-hour notice for all required inspections (call (406) 628-4796)
Required documents
- Required
Construction Permit and Application
City of Laurel's universal permit application/inspection-record form; submitted at City Hall, 115 W 1st St
- Required
Construction Drawings
Site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, framing, and elevations sufficient to demonstrate 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC compliance
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — Valuation $1.00 to $500.00 | $36.00 | Resolution No. R25-18, Appendix A (Building Permit Fees and Charges); valuation-based schedule, escalating in $1,000 valuation bands up to $100,000, then $1,491.00 for the first $100,000 plus $6.40 per additional $1,000 (to $500,000), $4,051.00 for the first $500,000 plus $5.47 per additional $1,000 (to $1,000,000), and $6,239.00 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.58 per additional $1,000 thereafter |
| Residential Plan Review | 50% of the Building Permit Fee | Resolution No. R25-18, Appendix A |
| Finished Basement | $50.00 per sq.ft. | Resolution No. R25-18, Appendix A; unfinished basements valued per the most recent ICC Building Valuation Table |
| On-site Pre-building Inspection (New & Additions) | $30.00 | Resolution No. R25-18, Building Permit Fees and Charges table, page 11 |
| Additional Plan Review (changes/additions/revisions to plans, minimum one half hour) | $100.00 per hour | Resolution No. R25-18, Building Permit Fees and Charges table |
| Additional Re-Inspection Fee | $100.00 | Resolution No. R25-18, Building Permit Fees and Charges table |
Review timeline
1–10 business days
Laurel’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Footings
Before concrete pour — form placement, rebar, and footing depth
- 2
Foundation
Foundation wall construction prior to backfill
- 3
Damp-proofing
Foundation damp-proofing/waterproofing before backfill
- 4
Ground Inspection
Under-slab/ground work prior to concealment
- 5
Framing
Structural framing prior to insulation and drywall
- 6
Roofing
Roof assembly per 2021 IRC prior to final covering
- 7
Insulation
Insulation installation per 2021 IECC prior to drywall
- 8
Gypsum/Drywall
Drywall/gypsum board installation
- 9
Building Final
Completed work verified against approved plans
- 10
Site Improvements Final
Site work, grading, and improvements complete
Tips
- One Construction Permit and Application form covers the entire building permit and inspection record — keep the card at the job site for every inspection.
- Call (406) 628-4796 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule any inspection; do not cover or conceal work before the required inspection is approved.
- The Building Permit Fee doubles if construction starts before the permit is issued.
- Montana statute (MCA 50-60-106(2)(c)) requires Laurel — a jurisdiction certified under 50-60-302 — to issue the building permit or a written notice of plan disapproval within 10 WORKING days of submission when the contractor attaches the completed state single-family-dwelling checklist to the plans. That statutory 10-working-day ceiling is the governing review timeline; the city publishes no separate turnaround figure of its own.
Frequently asked questions
- Who issues residential building permits in Laurel?
- The City of Laurel Building Department issues building permits under its own Montana DLI-certified Building (B) program (2021 IRC/IECC as locally adopted). Applications are submitted at City Hall, 115 W 1st St, Laurel, MT 59044.
- How much does a building permit cost in Laurel?
- Fees are valuation-based per Resolution No. R25-18, Appendix A, starting at $36.00 for a $1-$500 valuation project and scaling up through tables to $1,491.00 for the first $100,000 (plus $6.40 per additional $1,000) for larger projects. Residential plan review is an additional 50% of the building permit fee.
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
- Building/Building Code Enforcement | City of Laurel, MT
- Construction Permit and Application (PDF) | City of Laurel
- Resolution No. R25-18, Schedule of Fees and Charges (PDF) | City of Laurel
- Laurel, MT Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14.16 (International Residential Building Code, 2021 Edition)
- MCA 50-60-106(2)(c) — 10-working-day permit/plan-disapproval deadline for certified jurisdictions (single-family-dwelling checklist); governs the review timeline
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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