Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need an electrical permit?

Electrical permits are required when electrical fixtures are added (such as required smoke alarms when a building permit is required).

Residential Projects (1-2 Family Dwellings)

• Install, change or repair any hard wired electrical system.
• Run any additional wiring, put in an additional electrical outlet or light fixture or change out your fuse box to circuit breakers.
• Extend any branch circuit for a switch or outlet more than 6'.

Commercial Projects

• Install, change or repair any hard wired electrical system.
• Run any additional wiring, put in an additional electrical outlet or light fixture or change out your fuse box to circuit breakers.
• Add an outlet or switch in any room.

When are plans/drawings required to be submitted with my permit application?

All commercial electrical projects will need to provide plans designed by a licensed professional or master electrician. Electrical is not reviewed on for 1-2 family dwelling permits; compliance will be field verified during the inspection. For solar permits, see photovoltaic information below.

Electrical Permit Resources

• GFCI Requirements for New Residential Construction (PDF)
• Ufer Grounds (PDF)
• Electrical Service Changes (PDF)
• Appliance Disconnects (PDF)
• STEP Electrical Specs (PDF)
• Photovoltaic Policy and Inspections (PDF)
• 2020 NEC - 230.71

When do I need a plumbing permit?

Residential Projects (1-2 Family Dwellings)

• Repair, replace, relocate, or add to the water/sewer piping system  within your home.
• Installation of new plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, dishwashers, etc.
• Install or replace an electric or gas water heater.
• Replace existing fixtures if concealed plumbing is required.
• Installation of backflow preventers.

Commercial Projects

• Repair, replace, relocate, or add to the piping system.
• Install new plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, dishwashers, etc.
• Install or replace an electric or gas water heater.
• Replace existing fixtures if concealed plumbing is required.
• Installation of backflow preventers.

When are plans/drawings required with my permit application?

• Commercial Projects: All commercial plumbing projects will need to provide plans designed by a licensed professional or master plumber unless approved otherwise. An isometric drawing is required; see plumbing plan review checklist below.
• 1-2 Family Dwelling Projects: Mechanical, electrical and plumbing are not reviewed on permits for 1-2 family dwelling permits; compliance will be field verified. However, 1-2 Family dwellings are required to provide a completed Water Meter Worksheet to size the water meter where the project has more than 3 bathrooms or is adding an additional dwelling unit to the same service line. Note: while the worksheet sizes the water meter,  the water supply line must still be sized in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code which may require a larger supply line size. 

Plumbing Permit Resources

• Checklist - Commercial Plumbing Plan Review
• Water Meter Worksheet
• Fats, Oil and Grease Sector Control Program 

When do I need a mechanical permit?

Mechanical permits are required when vents and ducts are added, replaced or relocated. This includes dryer vents, range hood vents and extending heating ducts, adding registers and replacing furnaces and air conditioning units.

• Installation of any new HVAC equipment (including small exhaust fans)
• Installation or alteration of ductwork, vent system or chimney.
• Installation of a fireplace insert of gas fireplace.
• Install, alter, or repair gas piping between meter and an appliance.
• Exhaust bath fans, dryer vents, kitchen exhausts etc.
• Anytime a gas supply line need to have a gas meter set or to unlock an existing gas meter. Schedule a 460 Gas/Mech inspection (Air test of gas lines is required)

When is a mechanical permit NOT required?

• Portable heating appliances, portable cooling units, portable evaporative coolers, portable ventilation appliances and equipment.
• Steam, hot water or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment or appliances regulated by this code.
• The replacement of any minor part that does not alter the approval of equipment or an appliance or make such equipment or appliance unsafe.
• Self-contained refrigeration systems that contain 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or less of refrigerant, or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.
• Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

When are plans/drawings required with my permit application?

Commercial: All commercial mechanical projects will need to provide plans designed by a licensed professional unless approved otherwise.

Residential (1-2 Family Dwellings): Mechanical is not reviewed on permits for 1-2 family dwelling permits; compliance will be field verified at the time of inspection. Review of appliance locations will be provided where equipment locations are shown on the floor plans. 

Inspections Required

The holder of the permit shall be responsible for the scheduling of such inspections.

• Underground inspection shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping installed, and before backfill is put in place. Where excavated soil contains rocks, broken concrete, frozen chunks and other rubble that would damage or break the piping or cause corrosive action, clean backfill shall be on the job site. 
  Exception: Ground-source heat pump loop systems tested in accordance with Section 1210.10 shall be permitted to be backfilled prior to inspection.
• Rough-in inspection shall be made after the roof, framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and all ducting and other components to be concealed are complete, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.
• Final inspection shall be made upon completion of the mechanical system.

You can apply for a demolition permit by submitting a demo permit application. A demolition permit is required in the following cases:

• If you are demolishing anything structural (interior or exterior)
• Anytime you are demolishing an entire structure with utility connections.
• Anytime you are demolishing more than 3 sq ft of drywall on a commercial project. 
• Structures over 200 SF at 1-2 family dwelling locations
• Structures over 120 SF at commercial locations

For more information please visit our Demolition Permit Page. 

If you are within Missoula City Limits, you may. A permit is required for all the following:

• Commercial projects require an Architect or Engineer involvement, regardless of project complexity. 
• New Construction (Residential and Commercial projects)
• Decks
• Demolition 
• Interior remodels (adding/removing walls – (load bearing or not), relocating fixtures, alterations)
• Additions
• Egress windows – new openings in walls. 
• Remodeling
• Finishing out an unfinished basement.
• Siding
• Signs or fences over 7' in height
• Swimming pools
• Residential or commercial roofing - replacement or re-cover.
• Commercial storage buildings and garages over 120 sq. ft. of floor area. 
• Residential storage buildings and garages over 200 sq. ft. of floor area. 
• Retaining walls exceeding 4’ in total height from bottom of footing to top of wall or any wall supporting a surcharge. 
• Fences or flag poles over 7' tall (Note: All fences require a fence permit regardless of height)
• Commercial pallet or storage racks over 5 foot 9 inches in height. 
• All connections and repairs to the city's sewer system require an excavation permit from Development Services. 
• This list does not contain all types of work requiring a permit. Please call our office at 406-552-6630 before starting any type of work to determine whether you need a permit.

When do I NOT need a Building Permit?

• Installation of cabinetry, countertops, flooring, paneling, painting, or wallpaper
• Replacement of windows which are the same size and type as the window being replaced.
• Residential sheds under 200 square feet and commercial sheds under 120 square feet (floor area) (please check with the zoning division to make sure you meet setbacks and height restrictions)
• Residential decks do not require a permit if they meet ALL the following criteria: 1) The deck is completely free-standing (not attached to a structure in any way), 2) Is 30" or less above the ground, and does not have a roof/arbor over it. 3) Does not exceed 200 square feet in area. 4) Does not serve the dwelling’s primary required egress door. 

The holder of the permit shall be responsible for the scheduling of such inspections. Different projects require different inspections. If you have questions on which inspections will be required for your project you can reach us at 406-552-6630.

• For a list of inspections see the Inspection Scheduling Guide (PDF). See also our Inspection Procedures (PDF). 
• All permits should have a final inspection.
• Occupancy: All open permits must have passed a final inspection in order to occupy and receive a Certificate of Occupancy. See also information on requesting a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.

Yes. If you feel the property you are renting has life-safety issues you may fill out this online complaint form with as much information as possible and a member of our code compliance team will reach out to you. The person making the complaint must still have access to the property/unit so that an inspection can be performed. 

Mold:  We do not test for mold and are not qualified or equipped to make that determination. Mold issues in your rental property are an issue that should be addressed by you and your landlord. It is the responsibility of the landlord to make repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition. It is the duty of the tenant to keep that part of the premises that the tenant occupies and uses as reasonably clean and safe as the condition of the premises permits. You should always try to work with your landlord first to resolve problems involving mold.

Free Legal Resources for Tenants: In the case of landlord/tenant disputes, please refer to the Montana Landlord Tenants’ Rights & Responsibilities information available at the Montana Department of Justice website in the resources section below. The Montana Legal Services Association can often provide assistance to renters and has resources for obtaining repairs from landlords and other information on leases, rental agreements and security deposits.