Bolthole Index

Roosevelt County, Montana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Roosevelt County, Montana

52Index Score / 100
#39 of 56 in Montana

In unincorporated Roosevelt County, Montana, a residential building with fewer than five dwelling units is exempt from the state building permit unless it serves transient guests.1 Covered non-exempt construction still needs a Montana state permit before work begins, and onsite wastewater systems go through the Roosevelt County Sanitarian.12 Countywide zoning could not be confirmed, so ask Land Planning about the parcel.3

At a glance

Building permit
Small residential buildings are state-exempt; covered non-exempt projects require a state permit1
Building inspections
Required for projects that need a state building permit4
Zoning
Countywide coverage is unconfirmed; ask Land Planning about the parcel3
Septic
Roosevelt County Sanitarian handles onsite wastewater review, permits and installation inspections2
RV living
Private-land occupancy rules were not confirmed; ask Land Planning and the Sanitarian32
Tiny homes
No county occupancy rule was confirmed; parcel rules and wastewater still need review32
Owner-builder
No Roosevelt County owner-builder exemption was confirmed5

Who to call

Building permits

Montana Building Codes Program

State building permits, plan review and permit questions for covered non-exempt projects in state-administered areas

(406) 841-2056

[email protected]

301 South Park Ave. Floors 4 and 5 Helena, MT 59620

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Roosevelt County Land Planning

Project review, subdivisions, zoning changes, variances and special-use permits

Septic permits

Roosevelt County Sanitarian

Onsite wastewater review, permitting, site evaluation and installation inspection

(406) 925 1058

Floodplain permits

Roosevelt County Disaster and Emergency Services

County floodplain regulations and referral to the Floodplain Administrator

(406)653-6224

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Roosevelt County, Montana?

A typical single-family home in an area of Roosevelt County administered by the state is exempt from the Montana state building permit because residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units are exempt unless they serve transient guests.1 Farm and ranch buildings and qualifying private garages or storage buildings also appear among the state exemptions.6 The exemption is not a blanket release from every approval: Montana still requires a state building permit before covered non-exempt new construction, alterations, additions and repairs begin.1 Separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits may also apply to a state-administered project.7 Ask the Montana Building Codes Program to classify the project before construction.8

Who issues building permits in Roosevelt County, Montana?

Roosevelt County has no county building department, so covered non-exempt projects in state-administered territory go to the Montana Building Codes Program.9 The state office answers permit-coverage questions at (406) 841-2056 or [email protected] and provides an online application route.8 For a covered project, submit construction plans and a Building Permit/Plan Review Application; the state issues the permit after written plan-review comments are resolved and fees are paid.10 The state says plan review averages three weeks, although actual timing can vary.10 State-permitted work also requires the permit holder to notify the inspector when work is ready and provide access for inspection.4

Does Roosevelt County, Montana have zoning?

We could not confirm that Roosevelt County has zoning across all unincorporated land.3 Roosevelt County Land Planning nevertheless reviews proposed projects and processes subdivisions, zoning-change requests, variances and special-use permits.11 That combination means a buyer should not interpret the unconfirmed countywide answer as unrestricted land. Montana law allows a county with an adopted growth policy to adopt zoning for all or part of its jurisdiction.12 Give Land Planning the parcel location and proposed use, then ask which zoning district, subdivision conditions, setbacks, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage and height rules apply; countywide answers to those dimensional questions could not be confirmed.3 Incorporated communities may have their own requirements, so confirm whether the site is inside municipal limits before relying on the county answer.3

How do septic permits work in Roosevelt County, Montana?

The Roosevelt County Sanitarian reviews and permits onsite wastewater systems and inspects their installation under state minimum standards and local regulations.213 A Montana Certificate of Subdivision Approval does not replace the local drainfield permit, so subdivision sanitation review and the county permit are separate checkpoints.14 Only 7.5% of Roosevelt County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, making an early site evaluation especially useful before choosing a house site.15 The Sanitarian page says the program may review site evaluations and can be reached at (406) 925 1058.13 We could not confirm whether alternative off-grid sanitation is allowed, so describe the proposed system directly to the Sanitarian before purchase or design.2

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Roosevelt County, Montana?

We could not confirm a Roosevelt County rule for long-term RV occupancy on private land or a county rule specifically governing tiny-home occupancy.3 Ask Roosevelt County Land Planning whether the parcel has a zoning, subdivision or special-use restriction, and ask the Sanitarian how wastewater must be handled before placing or occupying either type of unit.112 A small dwelling may fit the state building-permit exemption for residential buildings with fewer than five units, but that exemption does not decide zoning, sanitation, floodplain or utility questions.1 Montana's camping limits for state public-use sites do not answer private-land occupancy in Roosevelt County.16 A parcel-specific answer from Land Planning and the Sanitarian is the safest basis for a purchase or placement decision.1113

What are the steps to build a home in Roosevelt County, Montana?

  1. Ask Roosevelt County Land Planning to identify parcel-specific zoning, subdivision conditions and special-use approvals.11
  1. Ask the Montana Building Codes Program whether the home, garage and other structures are exempt or need a state building permit, plus electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits.17
  1. Arrange the Roosevelt County Sanitarian's site review and obtain the required local drainfield permit before installing onsite wastewater facilities.217
  1. Contact Roosevelt County Disaster and Emergency Services before developing in a mapped flood-hazard area; Montana requires local floodplain review for covered development there.1819
  1. For a driveway meeting a state highway, obtain the Montana approach permit or right-of-way agreement before changing access.20
  1. For state-permitted construction, resolve plan comments, pay the required fees and request inspections as the work becomes ready.104

What should you check before buying land in Roosevelt County?

Confirm parcel-specific land-use rules with Roosevelt County Land Planning before treating rural acreage as unrestricted.11 Make septic feasibility a purchase contingency because only 7.5% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field.15 Check floodplain status with Disaster and Emergency Services before grading, placing fill, installing a culvert or starting construction in a designated hazard area.1819 Confirm whether access connects to a county road or a state highway, because a new or modified state-highway approach requires state authorization.20 Roosevelt County's effective property-tax rate is about 1.3%, and its median annual property-tax bill is about $1,535.2122 Water and mandatory utility-connection requirements could not be confirmed countywide, so identify the actual provider or well plan before closing.2

Watch-outs

  • The small-residential state building-permit exemption does not erase septic, floodplain, subdivision, zoning or trade-permit requirements.12
  • Countywide zoning, setbacks, minimum home size and RV or tiny-home occupancy remain unconfirmed; ask Roosevelt County Land Planning about the specific parcel and use.311
  • Only 7.5% of Roosevelt County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so verify a workable site before buying.15

Sources

  1. Certified City, County and Town Programs, quoted and re-checked
  2. Roosevelt County Sanitarian (2026 county census)
  3. (2026 county census)
  4. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  5. (2026 county census)
  6. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permits (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Montana Building Codes Program (bsd.dli.mt.gov)
  9. MT DLI Certified City, County and Town Programs (2026 county census)
  10. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  11. Roosevelt County Land Planning (rooseveltcountymt.gov)
  12. 76-2-201. County zoning authorized, MCA (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Roosevelt County Sanitarian (rooseveltcountymt.gov)
  14. Engineering Infrastructure & Subdivisions (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  16. Public Use Rules and Regulations (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Engineering Infrastructure & Subdivisions (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Roosevelt County Disaster and Emergency Services (rooseveltcountymt.gov)
  19. Stream Permitting (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Approach Manual for Landowners and Developers (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Roosevelt County in Montana

52
County map
Roosevelt County highlighted among the Montana counties · colored by Index score

How Roosevelt County scores

Seclusion87100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency19100% ev.
Admin Boringness7168% ev.
Durability42100% ev.
Property Autonomy83100% ev.
Carry Cost84100% ev.

Evidence strength: 95%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$152kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$1,108Land / acre
14"Annual rain
21.1% of yrsSevere drought
9.3 / yr (+7.1)Mid-century 100°F days
22.8 daysMid-century dry spell
1.07" (+5.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.3×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,431Home insurance / yr
3.8% / yrInsurance growth
0.94%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
1,354People within 30 min
62,617People within 2 hr
1,759Radius comparison (15 mi)
4.4People / sq mi
1.1%Federal land
88%Land at 15% slope or less
7.5%Septic soil without severe limits
106,957 acWorkable land screen
0.5%Wooded land
21.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
41.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Roosevelt County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Montana rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction in areas of Roosevelt County outside a certified local-government building-code jurisdiction.

    • A state building permit is required for certain non-exempt new buildings, alterations, additions, repairs, moves, and changes of occupancy before construction starts.
    • The state page lists exemptions for farm and ranch buildings, mining buildings on mining property, certain petroleum-refinery and pulp-and-paper-mill buildings, residential buildings containing fewer than five dwelling units except when serving transient guests, and private garages and private storage buildings used for the owner's own use.
    • A single-family residence is not subject to a state building permit unless inside a local government's jurisdiction that requires one by ordinance or resolution.
    • The certified-government page states that all other areas are under the State Building Codes Bureau.
    “In Montana a state building permit is required prior to the start of construction for certain types of new buildings, and/or for alterations, additions, and repairs.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction, remodeling, moving, alterations, additions, repairs, or changes of occupancy for buildings subject to Montana state building-code jurisdiction.
      “In Montana a state building permit is required prior to the start of construction for certain types of new buildings, and/or for alterations, additions, and repairs.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Montana's uniform state building code for residential and commercial buildings statewide.

    • The currently listed codes are amended and adopted through Administrative Rules of Montana Title 24, Chapter 301.
    • Cities, counties, and towns may enforce local building codes, all or in part, only through certified local building-code-enforcement programs.
    • State-owned agencies must be permitted through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
    • The listed 2021 International Building, Residential, and Existing Building Codes and related codes are effective June 11, 2022; the listed ASME boiler and pressure-vessel codes are effective November 6, 2021.

    International Building Code edition: 2021 · International Residential Code edition: 2021 · effective date for listed principal codes: 2022-06-11 (ASME boiler and pressure-vessel codes listed on the official page are effective 2021-11-06)

    “In addition, the program is responsible for adopting a uniform state building code, which is enforced statewide for residential and commercial buildings across Montana.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Buildings and other projects requiring permits under Montana state building-code jurisdiction; certified local governments may perform inspections within their certified jurisdictional areas.

    • The Montana Building Codes Program performs inspections for projects requiring a permit under state jurisdiction.
    • The permit holder must notify the inspector when work is ready for inspection and provide access for required inspections.
    • Cities, counties, and towns may enforce local building codes and perform inspections only through certified local government programs; remaining areas fall under the state Building Codes Program.
    “The BC Program establishes and enforces statewide codes by issuing permits and performing inspections.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Required inspections for state-permitted, non-exempt construction in areas of Roosevelt County under state jurisdiction.
      “It is the responsibility of the permit hold to notify the inspector when work is ready for inspection and to provide access for required inspections.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Buildings constructed in accordance with the Montana state building code or a county, city, or town building code.

    • The certificate must certify that the building conforms to the applicable building regulations.
    • The statute addresses certificates for buildings constructed under the state or local building code; it does not establish a universal certificate requirement for every structure or every occupancy.
    “A certificate of occupancy for a building constructed in accordance with the provisions of the state building code or county, city, or town building code must certify that the building conforms to the requirements of the building regulations applicable to it.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Montana statewide sanitation and septic regulation, including subdivision sanitation review and drainfield permitting.

    • Montana DEQ administers subdivision sanitation review for covered divisions of land and related facilities.
    • The drainfield permit is administered by the local health department even when a Certificate of Subdivision Approval exists.
    “The DEQ Subdivision Program reviews divisions of land comprising less than 20 acres [...] This review is limited to sanitation facilities, including the water supply, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal, and storm drainage systems. [...] Yes, even thought you have a COSA, a drainfield permit is still required by the local health department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of a drainfield in Montana, including property already covered by a Certificate of Subdivision Approval.

    • A Certificate of Subdivision Approval does not replace the drainfield permit.
    • The cited page identifies the local health department as the permitting authority.
    “Yes, even thought you have a COSA, a drainfield permit is still required by the local health department.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Farm and ranch buildings in areas of Roosevelt County under state building-code jurisdiction.

    • The exemption concerns the state building-permit requirement and does not establish exemption from septic, floodplain, subdivision, utility, or other applicable requirements.
    “In the State's jurisdiction, state law exempts the following from the need to obtain state building permits: 1. farm and ranch buildings”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    New or modified driveway approaches intersecting Montana state highways, and changes in use of property abutting a state highway or an existing approach.

    • A new or modified approach requires either an approach permit or a right-of-way agreement.
    • A change in property use or change in use of an existing approach requires a new approach permit.
    • The landowner is responsible for obtaining the new permit.
    • The application must be made to the appropriate MDT District Office.
    • A detailed site plan and Environmental Checklist Form are required.
    • The requirement concerns state highways; local roads may be administered by local governments.
    “ALL NEW OR MODIFIED APPROACHES REQUIRE EITHER AN APPROACH PERMIT OR A RIGHT-OF-WAY AGREEMENT.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New development within a designated Special Flood Hazard Area in Montana.

    • The applicant must check with the local floodplain administrator to determine whether an SFHA has been designated.
    • Covered development includes placement of fill, roads, bridges, culverts, transmission lines, irrigation facilities, storage of equipment or materials, excavation, new construction or development, placement or replacement of manufactured homes, and new construction, additions, or substantial improvements to residential and commercial buildings.
    • Permit applications are obtained from the local floodplain administrator.
    • Application fees and timelines are established by the local government and vary widely throughout the state.
    “Anyone planning new development within a designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA).”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals operated in Montana.

    • A Property Manager license is required unless the operator qualifies for an exemption under MCA § 37-56-104 or MCA § 50-51.
    • Local land-use, lodging, tax, and public-accommodation requirements may also apply.

    application fee: 50 USD

    “Short Term Rentals: A Property Manager license is required for short term rentals unless an operator qualifies for an exemption”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    State building permit and plan-review fees for state-administered building permits.

    • The building permit fee is calculated by the bureau under IBC Section 109.2 as modified by ARM 24.301.138.
    • A plan review fee is charged in addition to the building permit fee and equals 35 percent of the building permit fee.
    • Both fees must be paid before the building permit is issued.
    • Local governments certified to enforce the state building code may establish their own permit fees and valuation method.

    plan review fee: 35 percent of building permit fee

    “The plan review fee is 35 percent of the building permit fee as established in Table 109.2.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    State-administered Montana building permits for covered non-exempt construction outside certified local-government jurisdictions.

    • A state permit applies to certain new buildings and alterations, additions, and repairs.
    • Projects within the jurisdictional limits of a certified local government program are excluded from the state permit program.
    • Construction plans and a Building Permit/Plan Review Application must be submitted for review and approval.
    • The permit is issued after plan-review comments are satisfactorily answered and fees are paid.
    • Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits may be required.
    • The permit holder must notify the inspector when work is ready and provide access for required inspections.

    average plan review time: three weeks (Actual timing depends on workload, project size, and deficiencies.)

    “To obtain a state building permit, submit construction plans and a Building Permit/Plan Review Application to the Building Codes Program for review and approval.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — State building-permit process for applicable projects in Roosevelt County.
      “To obtain a state building permit, submit construction plans and a Building Permit/Plan Review Application to the Building Codes Program for review and approval. Please use the checklist above to ensure your submittal is complete. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Bureau in the planning stages of their project. On average it takes three weeks for a plan to be reviewed. Plan review comment letters and the Building Permit/Plan Review fees are mailed or emailed to applicants. When all plan review comments have been satisfactorily answered in writing and the fees paid, the building permit is issued.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Camping in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks public-use sites.

    • Camping is prohibited except in areas specifically designated or marked for camping.
    • A camping unit, vehicle, equipment, or personal items may not be left overnight without a person present.
    • Camping longer than 7 nights at one or more campsites in a public use area during any consecutive 30-day period is prohibited unless otherwise posted by the department.
    • Designated occupancy limits must not be exceeded.
    • Special-use-permit terms must be followed unless otherwise posted.
    • Campsites must be vacated by 1 p.m. on the day of departure; camping facilities must be vacated by 12 p.m. on the day of departure.

    maximum camping duration: <= 7 nights per consecutive 30-day period (unless otherwise posted by the department) · campsite departure time: 1 p.m. · camping-facility departure time: 12 p.m.

    “Unless otherwise posted by the department, within a public use site it is prohibited to: [...] camp at one or more campsites in a public use area for a period of longer than 7 nights during any consecutive 30-day period, beginning with the first night occupied unless otherwise posted by the department;”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Montana boards of county commissioners adopting zoning regulations for all or parts of their jurisdictional areas, including unincorporated land.

    • The board of county commissioners must have adopted a growth policy pursuant to Montana Code Annotated chapter 1.
    • Zoning regulations must be adopted in accordance with Title 76, chapter 2.
    • The statute also contains a temporary provision for counties that adopted a master plan before October 1, 1999; that provision authorized adoption or revision only until October 1, 2006.
    “a board of county commissioners that has adopted a growth policy pursuant to chapter 1 is authorized to adopt zoning regulations”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from building permits or inspections in Roosevelt County.
  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning in Roosevelt County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Local zoning — Local zoning across Roosevelt County and its incorporated communities.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in Roosevelt County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Roosevelt County.
11 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup

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.

Living off-grid in Roosevelt County, Montana

Is Roosevelt County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Roosevelt County scores 52/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,354 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: weak self-sufficiency basics: only 14″ of rain a year, in severe drought 21.1% of years.

Do you need a building permit in Roosevelt County, Montana?

Roosevelt County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas. Onsite septic is permitted by Roosevelt County Sanitarian. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Roosevelt County, Montana?

Land in Roosevelt County runs about $1,108 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Roosevelt County?

Roosevelt County gets about 14" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 21.1% of years.

How remote is Roosevelt County?

A representative private-land location has about 1,354 people within a 30-minute drive and 62,617 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Roosevelt County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Roosevelt compares in Montana

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