Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Darby, Montana

Town of Darby’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Building work regulated by Darby Town Code inside Darby town limits.

  • Applications must be presented to the town clerk-treasurer two weeks before the regular town-council meeting with triplicate scale plans.
  • parameters omitted: code states an application must be made within 90 days of plan approval; an issued permit expires if work has not begun within 90 days or is not substantially completed within two years.

  “Building permits are required as stated in section 7-1-2 of this code.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and swimming-pool work inside Darby town limits.

  • Montana identifies Darby as a certified local-government jurisdiction for codes B, P, M, E, and SP.

  “Darby | B, P, M, E, SP | Tim Netzley | 961-2423 | City Limits”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Darby town limits.

  • The official zoning map is the final authority for current zoning status under section 9-3-1.

  “The town is hereby divided into zones, or districts, as shown on the official zoning map. The official zoning map, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this title.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Darby town limits.

  • The official zoning map held in the town clerk-treasurer's office is the final authority for current zoning status.

  “Regardless of the existence of purported copies of the official zoning map which may from time to time be made or published, the official zoning map, which shall be located in the office of the town clerk-treasurer, shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas, buildings, and other structures in the town.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Applications for building permits inside Darby town limits.

  • Application is due two weeks before the regular town-council meeting.
  • Plans must be in triplicate and drawn to scale with the listed lot, existing-building, and proposed-work information.
  • A permit application must be made within 90 days after plan approval.

  application lead time: >= 2 weeks (Before the regular town council meeting) · plan copies: 3 copies (Plans must be drawn to scale)

  “All applications for building permits shall be presented to the town clerk-treasurer two (2) weeks prior to the regular town council meeting, accompanied by plans, in triplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon; the exact sizes and locations on the lot of buildings already existing, if any; and the location and dimensions of the proposed building or alteration.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Darby

Town of Darby does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district inside Darby town limits.

  • The R-1 minimum lot requirement section also specifies the minimum house size.

  minimum house area: 800 square feet

  “The house shall be a minimum of eight hundred (800) square feet.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district inside Darby town limits.

  minimum lot area: 9375 square feet · minimum lot dimensions: 75 by 125 feet

  “The minimum area and width of the lots shall be seventy five feet by one hundred twenty five feet (75' x 125') (9,375 square feet).”

• SetbacksSpecified

  R-2 multiple-family residential district inside Darby town limits.

  • Side-yard width is the same as R-1.
  • parameters apply to the principal or accessory structure as stated.

  front yard: 25 feet · rear yard, principal structure: 20 feet · rear yard, accessory structure: 7.5 feet

  “A. Depth of front and rear yard: 1. Front: Twenty five feet (25'). 2. Rear: a. Principal structure: Twenty feet (20'). b. Accessory structure: Seven and one-half feet (7½'). [...] B. Width of side yard: Same as R-1.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district inside Darby town limits.

  • Limit applies to all buildings.

  maximum lot coverage: 75 percent

  “The maximum lot coverage by all buildings shall be seventy five percent (75%).”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Darby or Ravalli County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built homes inside Darby town limits.
• Inspections — Building work inside Darby town limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Darby town limits.
• Living in an RV — Residential RV occupancy on private land inside Darby town limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Darby town limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.