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Water Heater Permit in Unincorporated Yellowstone County, Montana

Installing or replacing a water heater in unincorporated Yellowstone County requires a state plumbing permit line item from the Montana Building Codes Bureau, unless the owner-occupant exemption applies (homeowner doing the work themselves on their own non-rental, non-speculative residence).

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

When you need this permit

  • New water heater installation or replacement by a licensed plumber requires a state Plumbing Permit Contractor
  • Exempt if the owner-occupant is performing the installation themselves on their own personal residence (not a rental, not built for resale) Owner-builder

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Each new water heater or replacementMontana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Plumbing Permit (ARM 24.301.301/24.301.361, Rev. 11/25) — flat per-unit line item
$25

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Yellowstone County building department
~1–5 business days

How long did your Water Heater Permit permit actually take in Unincorporated Yellowstone County?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

    See the full Unincorporated Yellowstone County inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

    Tips

    • If you own and personally occupy the residence (not a rental, not built for resale) and are replacing your own water heater yourself, no state plumbing permit is required.
    • If a licensed plumber performs the replacement, the flat fee is $25 per the Building Codes Bureau's published fee schedule. Contractor

    Frequently asked questions

    Only if a licensed plumber performs the work — the state plumbing permit fee is $25 per water heater. Homeowners replacing their own water heater in their own owner-occupied, non-rental residence are exempt from the permit requirement.

    In Unincorporated Yellowstone County, the published Each new water heater or replacement is: $25. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

    Plan review for a water heater permit in Unincorporated Yellowstone County typically runs 1–5 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with Montana Department of Labor & Industry — Building Codes Bureau (Business Standards Division, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau) at (406) 841-2056.

    You'll need: Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through Montana Department of Labor & Industry — Building Codes Bureau (Business Standards Division, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau) at 301 South Park Ave, Floors 4-5, Helena, MT 59620 (mailing: Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517). Phone: (406) 841-2056, email: buildingcodes@mt.gov. Office hours: Mon–Fri, state business hours; online permitting available 24/7 via https://aca-prod.accela.com/bcb/. Official information: https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/.

    Unincorporated Yellowstone County, Montana has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted statewide by ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; ICC A117.1-2017 (Accessibility) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022 (fixture table at ARM 24.301.351); 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022 (NEC Technical Advisory NEC_TIA-23-3_210.8 issued August 12, 2022); 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; 2021 Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC) — ARM Title 24, Chapter 301; effective June 11, 2022; NOTE: All codes listed are statewide codes administered directly by the Montana Building Codes Bureau for areas (like unincorporated Yellowstone County) that are NOT within a certified local-government building code jurisdiction..

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

    Other permits in Unincorporated Yellowstone County

    Residential Building PermitElectrical PermitPlumbing PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitRoofing Permit (Reroof)Solar Panel PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station / EVSE Permit (State Electrical Permit)Sign PermitFire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm PermitChange of Use / Zoning Compliance Permit

    Water Heater Permit in other cities

    Boise, IdahoBountiful, UtahDraper, UtahHerriman, UtahLayton, UtahLogan, UtahMillcreek, UtahOgden, Utah

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