Electrical Permit in Unincorporated Yellowstone County, Montana
VerifiedAll electrical work in unincorporated Yellowstone County requires a State Electrical Permit from the Montana Building Codes Bureau, since Yellowstone County is not a certified local government for electrical code enforcement. Homeowners may wire their own home under a Homeowner Electrical Permit; all other work requires a Montana-licensed electrical contractor. Governed by Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431.
Verified 2026-07-02 · Source
When you need this permit
- Required for any new electrical installation, remodel, or repair statewide except in certified local jurisdictions (per Section 50-60-602, MCA exemptions and certified-government list — Yellowstone County is not certified)
- Homeowners may self-perform wiring on their own home, garage, and premises via a Homeowner Electrical Permit — 'Is this permit for work to be done to property you own and maintain for your own personal use?' and 'Will you personally be performing the electrical work?' must both be answered yes
- All other electrical work must be performed by a Montana-licensed electrical contractor (UCO or LCO license) pulling a Residential or Commercial Electrical Permit
- Alternative energy (solar/wind/hydro) connections that are grid-tied require a licensed electrical contractor for the final connection even if a homeowner self-installs the rest
Required documents
- Required
Application for Residential Electrical Permit
Filed by a licensed electrical contractor (UCO/LCO license required) with the Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or online at aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
- Optional
Application for Homeowner Electrical Permit
Used instead of the residential contractor application when the property owner personally performs the wiring on their own primary residence
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family Dwelling — Up to 200-amp service | $200 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential/Homeowner Electrical Permit (ARM 24.301.431, Rev. 11/25), option A |
| Single Family Dwelling — 201 to 400-amp service | $380 | Same source, option B |
| Single Family Dwelling — 401 to 600-amp service | $600 | Same source, option C |
| Single Family Dwelling — 601-amp service and up | $800 | Same source, option D |
| Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 4+ circuits & change of service/interior panel | $120 | Same source, option E |
| Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 4+ circuits (no panel/service change) | $100 | Same source, option F |
| 2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment | $70 | Same source, option G |
| 1 additional circuit or piece of equipment | $45 | Same source, option H |
| Residential Change of Service — exterior meter base/main disconnect only | $45 | Same source, option I |
| Residential Change of Service — disconnect w/ feeder & distribution panelboard replacement | $75 | Same source, option J |
| Alternative Energy connection (residential change of service) | $45 | Same source, option K |
| Private Property Accessory Building (garage, etc.) — up to 200-amp panel | $80 | Same source, option L |
| Private Property Accessory Building — 201 to 300-amp panel | $150 | Same source, option M |
| Private Property Accessory Building — 301-amp panel | $250 | Same source, option N |
| Construction Service (Provisional Power) | $60 | Same source, option AA |
| Livestock wells / residential irrigation (new service) | $50 | Same source, option BB |
| Permit Renewal (expiration no more than 30 days) | $60 | Same source, option CC |
| Requested Inspection, per hour | $60 (plus $30 per additional 30 min. or fraction thereof beyond one hour, plus travel time) | Same source, option DD |
Review timeline
~1–5 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Yellowstone County building department
Inspection process
- 1
Rough-In
Electrical permit holders must call for rough-in inspection and give 48 hours' notice before covering up the work
- 2
Final
Final inspection by a State Electrical Inspector; all wiring must meet National Electrical Code requirements
Tips
- A homeowner may wire their own home, garage, and premises using a State Homeowner's Electrical Permit — but if the alternative energy source is grid-tied, a licensed electrical contractor must still make the final connection to the grid.
- Electrical permit holders must call for rough-in and final inspections and give 48 hours notice before covering up work.
- Montana's adopted electrical code is the 2020 NEC (effective June 11, 2022) with Technical Advisory NEC_TIA-23-3_210.8 issued August 12, 2022 — not the 2023 edition used in some other states.
- Permits can be filed by mail to Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517 or online at aca-prod.accela.com/bcb.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need an electrical permit for work on my house in unincorporated Yellowstone County?
- Yes. All electrical work in unincorporated Yellowstone County requires a State Electrical Permit from the Montana Building Codes Bureau, since the county has no certified electrical code enforcement program. Homeowners may self-perform work on their own home under a Homeowner Electrical Permit; otherwise a Montana-licensed electrical contractor must pull the permit.
- How much does an electrical permit cost in unincorporated Yellowstone County?
- Per the Montana Building Codes Bureau fee schedule (ARM 24.301.431): a single-family dwelling with up to 200-amp service is $200 ($380 for 201-400 amp, $600 for 401-600 amp, $800 for 601+ amp). Smaller jobs range from $45 (one additional circuit) to $150-$250 for accessory-building panels.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
- Montana Department of Labor & Industry — Building Codes Bureau (Business Standards Division, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau) — official building department
- Montana Building Codes Bureau — Electrical Permits (requirements, jurisdiction, exemptions)
- Montana Building Codes Bureau — Application for Residential Electrical Permit (ARM 24.301.431, Rev. 11/25) — verbatim fee schedule
- Montana Building Codes Bureau — Application for Homeowner Electrical Permit (ARM 24.301.431, Rev. 11/25)
- Montana Building Codes Bureau — Current Codes (2020 NEC effective 6/11/2022)
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 Unincorporated Yellowstone County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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