Billings Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

The City of Billings Building Division is the municipal permit, plan-review, inspection, and code-enforcement authority for projects inside Billings city limits. Yellowstone County is a separate jurisdiction: the county says it does not issue building permits or certificates of occupancy outside Billings, although county zoning-compliance, floodplain, access, and right-of-way approvals may apply in unincorporated areas.

Billings building permits and plan review

Billings requires online submissions for building permits through the CityView public portal. Start by confirming the property is inside city limits, identify the project type and valuation, and prepare the plans, site information, contractor details, and any zoning or fire-review materials required for the application. The City’s FAQ states that a building permit is required for almost any construction on private property, with limited exceptions.

Use the City’s zoning map and zoning-compliance resources before submitting plans. Commercial buildings, additions, and IBC-covered residential work may also receive fire-prevention plan review. The applicable code, zoning, floodplain, right-of-way, utility, and fire requirements should be confirmed with the relevant city division before construction begins.

Billings inspections and certificate of occupancy

Call the Building Division at (406) 657-8270 to request a building inspection; keep the permit number, site address, and approved plans available. Final inspections may involve the Building Division and the Fire Prevention Bureau. Billings’ development requirements state that fire-prevention staff conduct final inspections for projects reviewed and approved by the fire department before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

Do not cover work that must be inspected, and coordinate fire-system acceptance testing when a project includes sprinklers or alarms. A final building approval is not the same as a zoning or business approval, so confirm every required sign-off before opening or changing occupancy.

Billings zoning and code compliance

Zoning districts, setbacks, permitted uses, parking, floodplain conditions, and site constraints can change the permit path. Use the City’s zoning map and zoning-compliance application for the current parcel requirements. For a property outside Billings, contact Yellowstone County Planning and the Montana Building Codes Bureau instead of assuming the city process applies.

Official Billings contact information

The Building Division lists 316 N 26th Street, 5th Floor, Billings, Montana 59101, and (406) 657-8270. Use the official CityView portal for online permit submissions and the city FAQ for inspection instructions. Confirm current requirements with the City before relying on an older permit form or code handout.