Billings building department

The City of Billings Building Division reviews plans, issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire-system permits, and inspects construction inside Billings city limits. Billings is a state-certified local code program, so the city, not the state, is the building authority within its limits. Outside the city limits, the State of Montana governs. The city’s FAQ points those projects to the state Building Codes Program at (406) 841-2056.

What needs a permit in Billings

The city’s FAQ says a building permit is needed for almost any construction on private property. It names these examples:

• Roofing and siding
• Decks
• Parking lots
• Fences 8 feet tall or taller
• Retaining walls over 4 feet tall

Fences between 4 and 6 feet tall need a permit from Planning instead. Call Planning at (406) 657-8247 for those (zoning code Sec. 27-604(h)).

The FAQ lists work that does not need a permit:

• Detached sheds of 200 square feet or less
• Painting, wallpapering, and similar finish work
• Sidewalks and driveways on private property that don’t support a structure

Work in the public right-of-way may need its own permit, and it requires a licensed and bonded contractor. By law, most electrical and plumbing permits can only go to licensed electricians and plumbers. Inside city limits, contact the floodplain administrator at (406) 657-8271 with flood questions. See also do I need a permit for a shed.

Applying through CityView

Billings requires online submission for all permits through the CityView public portal. That includes residential and commercial roofing, siding, windows, and doors. The Building page links how-to guides for registering, creating a project, and checking application status. Plans are electronic, so only one set is needed.

Plan review covers site, structural, architectural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical drawings. Single-family homes can leave out plumbing and electrical detail if the plans show where the mechanical equipment goes. Commercial plans must be stamped by a Montana-licensed architect or engineer. Architects and designers can ask to meet key city staff before they submit.

Plans are reviewed in the order received. The city does not expedite permits. Once a plan is complete and issues like variances are settled, the FAQ gives these initial review times:

Project	Initial review
Residential (single-family and duplex)	4–7 business days
Commercial, minor	2–4 weeks
Commercial, major	3–6 weeks

You get an email once every department has finished its review. City ordinance requires sidewalk, curb, gutter, and any needed street widening on all projects at the time of development. Where those improvements don’t fit, such as on gravel streets, the City Engineer may accept an SID Waiver of Protest instead.

Fees

Building permit fees are based on project valuation. The FAQ says large commercial projects may be valued by bid, other new buildings by square footage, and remodels by contract price or the estimated cost of materials and labor. The fee resolution on the City Council’s February 23, 2026 agenda bases fees on the higher of the bid price or the ICC Building Safety Journal valuation table:

Valuation	Building permit fee
$1 – $2,000	$45
$2,001 – $25,000	$45 plus $8 per additional $1,000
$25,001 – $50,000	$229 plus $5 per additional $1,000
$50,001 – $100,000	$354 plus $3.50 per additional $1,000
$100,001 – $500,000	$529 plus $2.50 per additional $1,000
$500,001 – $1,000,000	$1,529 plus $2 per additional $1,000

Under the same resolution:

• Commercial plan review is 60% of the permit fee.
• A single-family electrical permit with a 100–300 amp service is $130.
• Each residential furnace is $20 on top of a $20 mechanical permit issuance fee.
• Reinspections and after-hours inspections are $75 per hour.

Inspections and occupancy

To request a building inspection, email [email protected] or call (406) 657-8270. Final inspections for new construction, additions, and remodels must be scheduled through the Building Division with at least 24 hours’ notice.

The Fire Prevention Bureau reviews plans for new commercial buildings, additions, and remodels, and for residential buildings built under the IBC. It also does the final inspection for a certificate of occupancy on every building it reviewed. Buildings with fire sprinklers or alarms need extra time for acceptance testing, and every fire-protection subcontractor must be on site. Fire-protection system plans go to Fire Safety Consultants Inc. (FSCI), a private firm, and the submitter pays its review fee directly.

The owner is responsible for getting permits. If the contractor pulls them, the owner should make sure every required inspection is approved.

Codes in effect

The FAQ lists the 2021 IRC, IBC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IFC, and International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, plus the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code and 2020 National Electrical Code. The city adopted them on September 1, 2022 (Administrative Order #150). Montana’s 2024 codes and the 2023 NEC take effect statewide on September 26, 2026, under ARM Title 24, Chapter 301. For basement bedrooms, the FAQ gives the IRC egress-window minimums: a 5.7 square foot opening, 24 inches high, 20 inches wide, and a sill no more than 44 inches above the floor.