Billings, Montana Building Permits
Learn Billings, Montana building permit requirements, fees, review timelines, zoning, inspections, code adoption, and climate design factors for projects.
Wind
ASCE 7 basic wind speed: typically 115 mph ultimate design wind speed for Risk Category II buildings; exposure category and topographic effects should be verified for the site, especially near open terrain and the Rimrocks.
Snow Load
Ground snow load: commonly about 30 psf in the Billings area, but the required design snow load should be confirmed using the adopted code, local amendments, and the site-specific elevation/location.
Flood
Floodplain review is important near the Yellowstone River, Alkali Creek, Pryor Creek drainage areas, and mapped FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Projects in FEMA Zone A or AE may require elevation certificates, flood-resistant construction, lowest-floor elevation compliance, and local floodplain development approval.
Earthquake
Seismic design category: commonly SDC B to C depending on soil class, occupancy, and mapped spectral response values. Designers should confirm site-specific seismic criteria using ASCE 7 and the adopted Montana code.
Wildfire
Billings has grassland and wildland-urban-interface concerns near the Rimrocks, open-space edges, and outlying hillside areas. The city may evaluate fire department access, hydrant spacing, driveway width, address visibility, and defensible-space considerations. Ignition-resistant construction may be recommended in exposed WUI locations even where not universally required citywide.
Building Department
City of Billings Planning and Community Services Department - Building Division
Approval Timeline
Simple residential permits such as re-roofs, windows, water heaters, and minor trade permits may be issued over the counter or within a few business days. Residential additions, garages, decks, and new homes commonly take 1-3 weeks depending on completeness and workload. Commercial tenant improvements and new commercial buildings often take 3-6+ weeks, with longer timelines for projects needing fire review, civil review, floodplain review, zoning approvals, or plan revisions.
Common Requirements
Common submittals include a completed building permit application, construction valuation, site plan showing property lines and setbacks, construction drawings, floor plans, elevations, wall sections, foundation plans, structural details, energy code information, truss layouts when applicable, contractor license information, and separate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits. Commercial projects generally require code analysis, occupancy classification, construction type, occupant load, accessibility details, fire-resistance information, egress plans, and stamped drawings where required.
Zoning Information
Billings uses zoning districts administered by the Planning and Community Services Department. Zoning review typically checks allowed use, lot coverage, setbacks, building height, parking, landscaping, signs, accessory structures, and special overlay requirements. Properties near the Yellowstone River, drainage corridors, or mapped flood hazard areas may need additional floodplain review before a building permit can be issued.
Permit Costs
Billings permit fees are generally based on project valuation using the city fee schedule, with separate plan review and trade permit fees. Small trade or minor residential permits may be under $100-$250. Decks, garages, and remodels commonly range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 depending on valuation. New homes and commercial projects may run from $1,000 to several thousand dollars or more, especially when plan review, impact, utility, or fire-related fees apply.
Engineering Requirements
Engineer-stamped plans are typically required for commercial buildings, substantial structural alterations, non-prescriptive residential construction, large retaining walls, unusual foundations, long-span beams or trusses outside prescriptive tables, steel or concrete structural systems, high-wind or high-snow design conditions, and projects requiring special inspections. Manufactured truss packages normally require engineered truss drawings. The city may also request Montana-licensed engineer documentation for foundations, geotechnical concerns, floodplain construction, or structural repairs.
Local Code Adoption
Billings enforces Montana-adopted building codes, generally based on the 2021 International Building Code and 2021 International Residential Code with Montana amendments, plus adopted mechanical, plumbing, electrical, energy, fire, and accessibility requirements. Applicants should verify the currently effective code cycle with the City of Billings before submitting.
Typical Projects
Common Billings permit projects include new single-family homes, basement finishes, detached garages and shops, decks, roof replacements, siding and window work, commercial tenant improvements, retail build-outs, warehouse and industrial projects, signs, accessory dwelling or infill housing projects, and repairs related to wind, hail, snow, or foundation movement.