RICHLAND COUNTY MONTANA
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General Q&A

General Building Questions

What should be done about Asbestos?
To find out on how to deal with Asbestos and what is required please visit the Montana state website. Also please see this handout (PDF)

What are permits and why do I need one?

Permits are the way Richland County regulates construction. This is designed to ensure that all construction in the county is safe. The safety of the occupants of buildings is the primary reason for having construction codes. Richland County has adopted several building codes along with what the State of Montana uses which can be found under the building code information tab.

There are several different types of permits based on the type of construction - structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical. Most home owner projects require more than 1 type of permit. Richland County can provide building permits but the others are provided by Montana.

Obtaining a building permit is just the first step in the process. In this step you may need to create plans to submit to the building department, make a plot plan of your property showing the improvements, and show the type of construction you'll be using.

Once the plans are approved you're required to build the project to those plans. If any changes are made to the plans they must be made with the Building Department's approval.

How do permits protect a home?

Permits ensure that a certified inspector will inspect the construction project or installation. Inspections make sure work is done safely and to code. When a city or county inspector approves work, a homeowner can get questions answered and know that the work has been checked for any safety violations. This is of particular value to the do-it-yourselfer who doesn't make installations every day. Incorrect installations can result in house fires, flood damage, and/or structural problems.

Where do I get a permit?

Building permits are issued by Building Inspector Alton Hillesland at 115 2nd Street SE. The Building Office is open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Or you can find the permit application online at www.richland.org. This application will still need to be taken to the Building Inspector for approval

For electrical, mechanical, or plumbing permits you will have to contact the state. A good starting point is visiting their website.

When do I need a construction permit?

A construction permit is needed for all new construction. In many cases a permit is needed for repair or replacement of existing fixtures. A plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permit is needed for any addition or changes to a building's existing system and new construction. If you are unsure whether or not your project needs a permit please call the Building Inspector at (406) 433-2809 or the State of Montana Building Division at (406) 841-2056.

When don't I need a permit?

A permit is not needed for items such as wallpapering, painting, or similar finish work. Plumbing, mechanical, and electric work replacing or repairing fixtures (such as changing water faucets) do not normally require a permit. A permit is also not required for certain agriculture structures to find out whether or not your project requires a permit please contact the Building Inspector at (406) 433-2809 or the State of Montana Building Division at (406) 841-2056.

What if I don't get a permit?

If a permit, when needed, is not obtained before construction, you will have violated County codes and regulations. You then can be subject to fines and penalties. You'll then be required to obtain permits for the work and it must pass inspection, or you will have to return the structure or site to its previous condition. Remember construction codes were created for safety reasons. Work built without a permit can be unsafe, no matter how good it looks.

Who should obtain the permit?

Contractors, architects, engineers, or your agent can obtain permits. The homeowner can also obtain the permits.

What about inspections?

It is your responsibility to call us for inspections at specific times during construction. You may have your contractor make the call, but it is still your responsibility, as the property owner, to make sure the inspections are made. Inspections are made during certain points in the project depending on the work that is being performed. To see when inspections are required please go to the inspections page.

What is a Certificate of Occupancy?

 A Certificate of Occupancy is a document that notifies owners, buyers, or other interested parties that required inspections have been performed and the structure is in compliance with the adopted building codes. While inspections and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy do not guarantee the structure is defect-free, it does provide a level of safety to occupants, as well as property protection that would that would not otherwise exist. In lieu of a Certificate of Occupancy on remodels and small additions, a Certificate of Final Inspection may be issued as confirmation that all the inspections have been completed

When is a Certificate Necessary?

When a building is constructed or remodeled, permits are required. The permit process provides oversight by an unbiased, third party professional that includes inspection and plan review for code compliance.

A Certificate of Occupancy is issued after the builder has requested a series of inspections and has corrected any deficiencies discovered during the construction process. The oversight helps to ensure that minimum life-safety and protection features have been properly addressed. This adds to the long term value of the property.

How is this all funded?

Inspections and plan reviews are funded through the purchase of a building permit by the builder or applicant. In turn, this cost is passed on to the consumer.

The end user should demand a Certificate of Occupancy from the owner or contractors as they have paid for the service. When a project is completed without a Certificate of Occupancy it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain one.
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  • Home
  • Departments A-F
    • Airport >
      • DBE Program
      • Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan 2017
    • Building >
      • ADA
      • Building Codes
      • Building Permit
      • Downloadable Documents
      • Fees
      • General Q&A
      • Inspection Information
      • Occupancy Permits
    • Clerk & Recorder >
      • Document Standards
      • Elections
      • Polling Place Locations
    • Clerk Of District Court >
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Jury Duty Information
      • Court Calendar
    • Commission On Aging >
      • COA Advisory Council
      • Home Delivered Meals >
        • Forms
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Senior Centers
      • Congregate Meals >
        • Weekly Menus
      • Commodity Supplemental Food Program >
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Commodity Food Tips and Recipes
      • Homemaker Services
      • Health Screenings
      • Respite Care
      • SHIP Program (Medicare)
      • Transportaion
      • Employment Opportunities
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Arthritis Management/Exercise Programs
      • Helpful Resources
      • Home Health & Respite Servies
      • Veterans Services
      • Assisted Living
      • Low Income Housing
      • Dental, Vision, Hearing & Health
      • Home Repair, Heating, Weatherization, and Utility Assistance
      • Misc. Help, Programs & Credits
      • Steps for Identity Theft Victims
      • Articles Of Interest
    • Conservation District
    • Commissioners
    • County Attorney >
      • Crime Victims
      • Duties & Powers
      • Law Enforcement
      • Legal Research
      • Witnesses
    • Disaster & Emergency Services >
      • CodeRed Emergency Notification
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Community Information
      • Evacuation >
        • Disaster Instruction
        • Siren Alert
        • Winter Storms
      • Hazardous Materials >
        • Disposal of Electrical Appliances
        • Inventory Reporting
        • Mercury Products
      • Kids & Emergencies
      • Local Emergency Planning Committee >
        • Board of Health
        • Planning Board
        • Safety Committee
      • Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
    • District Judge
    • EMS / Ambulance
    • Extension Office
    • Fair & Rodeo
  • Departments G-Z
    • Health Department >
      • COVID-19 Vaccination
      • 2023-2024 Flu Shot Clinics
      • Public Health Accreditation
      • Communicable Disease
      • Environmental Health >
        • Licensed Establishments
        • Junk Vehicle
        • Farmer's Market & Other Food Sales
        • E-Waste
        • Water Quality
        • Air Quality
        • Septic Systems
        • Subdivision Review
      • Immunizations
      • WIC
      • Volunteers in Action MT
      • Family Planning
      • Chronic Disease >
        • Tobacco Use Prevention
        • Montana Asthma Program
        • Montana Cancer Control Program
    • Justice Court >
      • Paying Tickets
      • Court Calendar
    • Library >
      • Learn More About Us >
        • Staff
        • Our History
      • My Library >
        • My Card Catalog
        • Let's Go Digital
        • Print from Anywhere
      • Newsworthy >
        • News
        • Programs & Events
        • 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
        • 100 Books Before Graduation
    • Museum
    • Planner >
      • Zoning Commission
    • Public Works >
      • Maps
      • Permits
      • Landfill
      • Floodplain Management
    • Sheriffs Office >
      • 9-1-1 Dispatch
      • Crime Prevention
      • Detention Centers
      • Law Enforcement Association
      • Sidney Police Department
    • Superintendent of Schools
    • Transportation >
      • Schedule Your Ride
      • About Us
      • Service Area, Schedule & Fares >
        • Special Transit Trip(s)
      • How Are We Doing?
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      • Employment Opportunities
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      • Frequently Asked Questions
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