Roosevelt County, Montana Building Permit Guide

No local government in Roosevelt County is on the State’s list of certified building-code programs, so the State of Montana Building Codes Program, not a county or city office, issues building-code permits here: it permits commercial buildings and residential buildings of five or more units, while a house with fewer than five units needs no State building permit. The County itself reviews subdivisions, zoning requests, floodplain work and septic systems. Four of the five municipalities add a local permit, filed on paper with the clerk; Bainville’s costs $25 for new construction.

What needs a permit in Roosevelt County?

On unincorporated land there is no county building permit to apply for. What applies is a short list of State and County approvals.

Inside a city or town the picture changes, because four of the five municipalities require a local permit before you build, move or fence. The table in the next section lists them.

Who issues permits in Roosevelt County?

County offices are in the Courthouse at 400 2nd Ave S in Wolf Point, reached through the main line, 406-653-6200. The County Planner reviews proposed projects and processes subdivision applications, zoning change and variance requests and special use permits. The Sanitarian, a contracted service reached at (406) 925-1058, reviews, permits and inspects on-site wastewater systems. The office of Disaster and Emergency Services, (406) 653-6224, is the County’s Floodplain Administrator.

None of these local permits replaces a State permit. Bainville says so directly: a commercial building there may also owe fees regulated by the State, and the Town gives the State’s number, (406) 841-2056.

Wolf Point: the City Code says the City enforces the adopted building codes on residential and commercial structures inside its limits and contracts with an engineering firm for inspections. Wolf Point does not, however, appear on the State’s list of certified local programs dated October 7, 2026, and the State assigns its own inspector to the city. Ask the City Office how it is handling a new application, and expect the State to permit a commercial building.

Permit types and how to file

Nothing is filed online with the County or the towns. State permits can be applied for on the State’s online permit site or on its paper forms.

• Wolf Point: a written application goes to the City Clerk-Treasurer, stating the location, dimensions, manner of construction and materials. It is presented to the Zoning Administrator, who is the Director of Public Works, and then to the building inspector. Zoning permits, sign permits and home occupations are reviewed administratively, and no building permit is issued unless the project complies with the zoning title.
• Culbertson: the Town posts four forms: a sketch plan for small projects and home improvements, a site plan for large or commercial projects, a conditional use permit and a demolition permit. Under the Town code the written application goes to the Town Clerk-Treasurer and the Council grants the permit; once a plan is approved, the building permit must be granted within one year.
• Bainville: the Building/Fence Permit form is available from the Clerk at Town Hall or as a download. The Council, which normally meets once a month, has to approve it before work starts.
• Froid: the three-page building permit application is downloaded from the Town’s site and returned to the Town Office at least 31 days before the Town Council meeting that will take it up; the Council meets on the second Monday of each month. The owner must sign it and attach one 11 by 17 inch scalable copy of the site and utility plan, and the Town asks for a pre-application meeting with its staff first. Under the zoning ordinance the Town adopted on November 27, 2013, the site plan has to be approved before a building permit is issued for any construction, development or site preparation.

Permit fees

Bainville is the municipality that posts its permit fees. Fees for the County’s planning, floodplain and septic reviews come from the offices themselves, through the Courthouse line at 406-653-6200.

A Bainville permit is good for one year or until the project in the application is finished; adding to the project means a new permit. Developing a new lot that needs sewer and water may also bring a Sewer Impact Fee. Wolf Point’s code sets building permit fees by reference to the building code the City adopted and prints no figures.

Froid charges a process fee with its application. The form leaves the amount blank, so the Town Office quotes it.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and septic permits

None of the County or town offices above issues trade permits. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits come from the State Building Codes Program, for work inside the towns as well as outside them.

Septic systems are the County Sanitarian’s responsibility. The program covers review of site evaluations, permitting and installation inspection under State minimum standards and local regulations, and the Sanitarian also reviews water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste provisions for land being subdivided.

Application documents

The towns ask for simple written applications. Culbertson’s code spells out the contents: the lot and block, the nature of the structure, a general description, the material it is or will be built of, and an estimate of the cost. Wolf Point’s code asks for the proposed location, dimensions, manner of construction and materials. Bainville expects owners to know where their property pins are, because meeting the setbacks is the owner’s responsibility.

How to apply: 5 steps in Roosevelt County

Inspections

State inspectors inspect work under State building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits. The County Sanitarian inspects septic installations. Wolf Point’s code says the City contracts with an engineering firm for building inspections.

Local Roosevelt County details that matter

Fort Peck Indian Reservation: the County notes that Wolf Point and Poplar are on the reservation, home of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.

Floodplain: under the County’s Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations, development, new construction, alteration or substantial improvement in a regulated flood hazard area may not begin without full compliance, and materials used below the lowest floor must resist flooding to 2 feet or more above the base flood elevation.

Culbertson setbacks: a new or moved building must line up with the front faces of the adjacent houses and keep every part, steps and overhangs included, at least 5½ feet from the side lot lines. A fence must stay 13 feet back from the curb edge on blocks with boulevards and 4 feet back on blocks without.

Bainville setbacks: no building or part of one, such as steps, a deck or an overhang, may be placed within 10 feet of the front or side lot lines or the alley right-of-way.

Mapping: the County GIS office is in Room 8 in the Courthouse basement and is open Monday to Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Montana building code

Montana adopts one building code, based on the 2024 International Codes from 26 September 2026; a certified local program or the state Building Codes Program enforces it, and the state code does not reach houses of fewer than five units, farm and ranch buildings or private garages unless a local government has made it apply to them. How Montana’s statewide code works

Official permitting resources for Roosevelt County

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Montana effective construction code editions
• Montana certified local building programs
• Montana DLI state building permit application
• Roosevelt County Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations (PDF)
• Roosevelt County Land Planning
• Roosevelt County Courthouse contact
• Roosevelt County Sanitarian
• Roosevelt County Disaster and Emergency Services (floodplain regulations)
• Montana electrical permits
• City of Wolf Point
• Wolf Point City Code
• Town of Culbertson permits
• Town of Culbertson Code of Ordinances
• Town of Bainville permits
• Town of Froid building permits page (application download)
• Town of Froid Planning & Zoning page (2013 zoning ordinance and maps)

Roosevelt County permit FAQs

Does Roosevelt County issue building permits?

No. The County reviews subdivisions, zoning requests, floodplain work and septic systems. Building-code permits are issued by the State of Montana.

Do I need a building permit for a house in Roosevelt County?

Not a State building permit if the house has fewer than five dwelling units. Inside Wolf Point, Culbertson, Bainville or Froid you need the local permit, and the wiring needs a State electrical permit.

How much is a building permit in Bainville?

$25 for new construction, a garage, a structural change or sidewalks, and $10 for a fence or shed. Building without a permit costs $100.

Who issues building permits in Wolf Point?

The City Code requires a written application to the City Clerk-Treasurer, (406) 653-1852. Wolf Point is not on the State’s list of certified building programs, so the State remains the permitting authority for commercial buildings.

Who handles septic permits?

The Roosevelt County Sanitarian, (406) 925-1058, who reviews, permits and inspects on-site wastewater systems.

Who is the floodplain administrator?

The County’s office of Disaster and Emergency Services, (406) 653-6224.

Simplify Roosevelt County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Montana. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Roosevelt County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.