Bolthole Index

Silver Bow County, Montana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Silver Bow County, Montana

68Index Score / 100
#20 of 56 in Montana

Silver Bow County, Montana requires residential building permits countywide through Butte-Silver Bow Building & Code Enforcement.1 Countywide zoning also applies, and the Environmental Health Division permits onsite wastewater systems.23 Start with Planning and Zoning to identify the parcel's district, then coordinate building and septic approvals before construction.

At a glance

Building permit
Required countywide for residential construction1
Building code
Locally adopted building codes apply4
Zoning
Countywide; check the parcel's mapped district25
Septic
Permitted by Butte-Silver Bow Environmental Health3
RV living
Private-land occupancy rule not confirmed; ask Planning2
Tiny home
District and occupancy rules must be confirmed with Planning5
Owner-builder
No permit exemption confirmed; ask Building & Code Enforcement6

Who to call

Building permits

Butte-Silver Bow Building & Code Enforcement

Plan review and commercial, residential, mechanical, plumbing and sign permits

(406) 497-6210

Courthouse, Room 108, 155 W. Granite St., Butte, MT 59701

Planning & zoning

Butte-Silver Bow Planning and Zoning

Zoning certification, subdivision review, floodplain review and development review

(406) 497-6250

Courthouse, Room 108, 155 W. Granite St., Butte, MT 59701

Septic permits

Butte-Silver Bow Environmental Health

On-site wastewater systems, sanitation in subdivisions, inspections and permitting

(406) 497-5020

25 W. Front St., Butte, MT 59701

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Silver Bow County, Montana?

Yes. Silver Bow County requires a residential building permit countywide through the consolidated City and County of Butte-Silver Bow Building & Code Enforcement program.1 The local office approves plans and issues residential, commercial, mechanical, plumbing and sign permits.7 Butte-Silver Bow has adopted the locally enforced building-code suite identified in the county record, so a rural parcel outside Butte is not automatically beyond code administration.4

Required new-construction inspections must occur before applicable work is concealed, and inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead.8 Rough plumbing and heating inspections precede the final framing inspection, while the final building inspection follows completion and comes before occupancy.8 The office should confirm which permit forms and inspections fit the specific structure before work starts.

Who issues permits in Silver Bow County, and how do you reach them?

Butte-Silver Bow Building & Code Enforcement is the countywide building office, at Courthouse, Room 108, 155 W. Granite St., Butte, MT 59701; the main number is (406) 497-6210.7 The office reviews plans and issues residential, commercial, mechanical, plumbing and sign permits.7

Planning and Zoning shares the courthouse location and can be reached at (406) 497-6250.9 Planning handles zoning certification, subdivision review, floodplain review and development review, making it the first stop for parcel-use and siting questions.9 Environmental Health is at 25 W. Front St., Butte, MT 59701, with a main number of (406) 497-5020.10 Environmental Health's work includes onsite wastewater systems, permitting, inspections and sanitation in subdivisions.10

Does Silver Bow County have zoning?

Yes. Zoning governs land use and development across Butte-Silver Bow County, and district boundaries appear on the county land-use map.2 The county publishes district descriptions and directs readers to the applicable district and municipal zoning title for use and dimensional standards.5

A property's zoning district matters before choosing a house location or assuming a rural use is allowed. Planning and Zoning performs certifications involving height, setbacks and lot coverage, as well as subdivision and development review.9 We could not confirm one countywide minimum lot size, dwelling size, setback, height or lot-coverage figure; ask Planning for a written zoning determination tied to the parcel. Countywide zoning also means that distance from Butte alone does not establish that a parcel is unrestricted.2

How do septic permits work in Silver Bow County?

Butte-Silver Bow Environmental Health regulates and permits onsite wastewater systems throughout Silver Bow County under the county wastewater regulations and Montana's technical standards.3 A Montana subdivision sanitation approval does not replace the local drainfield permit, which still comes from the local health department.1112

Only about 6.7% of mapped county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.13 That soil rating does not decide whether a particular lot can support a system, but it makes early site evaluation especially valuable. Environmental Health handles onsite wastewater systems, permitting, inspections and sanitation in subdivisions; call (406) 497-5020 before finalizing a house site or purchase contract.10 Coordinate the septic layout with the building footprint rather than treating wastewater approval as a later task.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Silver Bow County?

We could not confirm a private-land RV occupancy rule or a specific tiny-home occupancy rule for Silver Bow County. Because zoning applies countywide and district requirements control land use, ask Butte-Silver Bow Planning and Zoning whether the proposed parcel permits the intended use.25 Planning can also address zoning certification, development review, setbacks, height and lot coverage for a proposed site.9

A tiny home used as a residence should not be assumed exempt from residential permitting: the county operates a countywide residential building-permit program and has adopted local building codes.14 For an RV during construction, ask Planning whether occupancy is allowed in that district and ask Building & Code Enforcement whether a building permit changes the answer. Do not use Montana's public-site camping limits as an answer for occupancy on private land, because that state rule applies to Fish, Wildlife & Parks public-use sites.14

Building a home in Silver Bow County: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Planning and Zoning to identify the mapped district and confirm the proposed use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, subdivision status and any floodplain review.59
  2. Contact Environmental Health early for the onsite wastewater site and permit process; the local drainfield permit remains necessary even where subdivision sanitation approval exists.312
  3. Submit the residential project to Building & Code Enforcement for plan review and the applicable building, plumbing and mechanical permits.7
  4. If access meets a Montana state highway, obtain the required approach permit or right-of-way agreement from the appropriate state transportation district office.15
  5. Schedule applicable inspections before work is concealed and at least 24 hours in advance.8
  6. Complete the final building inspection before occupancy and ask the building office whether the project requires a certificate of occupancy.8

What should you check before buying land in Silver Bow County?

Confirm zoning, buildability, wastewater, flood exposure and legal access before treating a parcel as a homesite. Planning and Zoning handles district certifications, development review and floodplain information.9 Development inside a designated Special Flood Hazard Area requires a local floodplain permit, and covered work can include fill, roads, culverts, excavation, manufactured homes and new buildings.16

Septic feasibility deserves particular attention because only about 6.7% of mapped soils avoid a severe conventional-drainfield limitation.13 The county is about 56.1% wooded, while about 36.9% of its land has a slope of 15% or less, so vegetation, grade and a usable building envelope can vary sharply by parcel.1718 About 51.4% of county land is federally owned, so verify boundaries, easements and practical road access rather than relying on nearby open land.19 The effective property-tax rate is about 1.1%, with a median annual bill near $2,357.2021

Watch-outs

  • Countywide zoning applies beyond the urban core, so confirm the mapped district before relying on a seller's description of rural land.2
  • Only about 6.7% of mapped soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field; arrange an early site evaluation with Environmental Health.1310
  • A new or modified driveway onto a Montana state highway requires an approach permit or right-of-way agreement from the appropriate state transportation district office.15
  • Private-land RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy and a countywide minimum dwelling size remain unconfirmed; ask Planning and Zoning about the parcel's district before purchase.59

Sources

  1. Butte-Silver Bow Building & Code Enforcement (2026 county census)
  2. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  3. Butte-Silver Bow Septic Permits and Information (2026 county census)
  4. Building & Code Enforcement, quoted and re-checked
  5. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  6. (2026 county census)
  7. Butte-Silver Bow Building & Code Enforcement (co.silverbow.mt.us)
  8. Inspection Guide, quoted and re-checked
  9. Butte-Silver Bow Planning and Zoning (co.silverbow.mt.us)
  10. Butte-Silver Bow Environmental Health (co.silverbow.mt.us)
  11. Engineering Infrastructure & Subdivisions (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Engineering Infrastructure & Subdivisions (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  14. Public Use Rules and Regulations (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Approach Manual for Landowners and Developers (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Stream Permitting (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  18. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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

Silver Bow County in Montana

68
County map
Silver Bow County highlighted among the Montana counties · colored by Index score

How Silver Bow County scores

Seclusion73100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency43100% ev.
Admin Boringness4290% ev.
Durability61100% ev.
Property Autonomy83100% ev.
Carry Cost83100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$293kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$2,572Land / acre
18.1"Annual rain
17.2% of yrsSevere drought
0.1 / yr (+0.1)Mid-century 100°F days
19.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.08" (+10%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.2×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,713Home insurance / yr
2.5% / yrInsurance growth
0.8%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
25,145People within 30 min
317,087People within 2 hr
39,730Radius comparison (15 mi)
50.6People / sq mi
51.4%Federal land
36.9%Land at 15% slope or less
6.7%Septic soil without severe limits
29,446 acWorkable land screen
56.1%Wooded land
25.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
39.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Silver Bow County

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

Silver Bow County rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building-code administration by Butte-Silver Bow Building & Code Enforcement.

    • The page lists the 2021 Uniform Plumbing, International Mechanical, International Fuel Gas, International Building, International Residential, International Existing Building, International Energy Conservation, and International Fire Codes.
    • Municipal Code 15.040.090 requires every general contractor to obtain the current edition of the International Building Code and keep a copy at the place of business.
    “adopted and follow the 2021 ICC Building codes”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building inspections for applicable construction in Butte-Silver Bow.

    • Inspections required for new construction must occur before the relevant work is concealed unless the specific inspection does not apply.
    • Inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
    • Rough plumbing and heating inspections must be completed before the final framing inspection.
    • The final building inspection occurs after completion and before occupancy; grading must be finished and blower-door results furnished.
    • Reinspection or additional inspection requirements may apply to the work.

    advance scheduling: >= 24 hours

    “Inspections must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land use and development in Butte-Silver Bow County, including Silver Bow County.

    • Zoning is determined through public processes.
    • Zoning district boundaries are shown on the county land-use map.
    • Requirements are described in Butte-Silver Bow Municipal Code Title 17.
    “intended to govern the use and development of land”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts affecting Butte and Silver Bow County.

    • The county page links to zoning district descriptions and an interactive zoning and land-use map.
    • District-specific dimensional and use rules must be checked in Title 17 and the applicable map district.
    “complete list of Zoning District Descriptions”

Montana rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction, remodeling, moving, alterations, additions, repairs, or changes of occupancy for buildings subject to Montana state building-code jurisdiction.

    • A state building permit is required before construction for certain types of new buildings and for certain alterations, additions, and repairs.
    • The state permit requirement does not apply to projects within the jurisdictional limits of a certified local government program; local requirements may apply there.
    • In the state's jurisdiction, state law exempts farm and ranch buildings; mining buildings on mining property; petroleum refineries and pulp and paper mills except office and shop buildings; residential buildings containing less than five dwelling units except when serving transient guests; and private garages and private storage buildings used for the owner's own use and not as part of a commercial enterprise or business.
    • Building permits must be issued on required projects before plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits can be issued and before work authorized under those permits can start.
    “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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in applicable Title 17 zoning districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in applicable Title 17 zoning districts.
  • Setbacks — Setbacks in applicable zoning or building districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in applicable zoning districts.
  • Building height — Building height in applicable zoning districts.
6 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Agricultural exemption

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.

Water rights & wells in Silver Bow County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Montana’s water agency.

Actively managed

This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.

Household wellExempt up to a limit

Montana's exempt-well exception (85-2-306 MCA) was tightened after Upper Missouri Waterkeeper v. DNRC (2024), and from Jan 1, 2026 appropriators must file a Notice of Intent with DNRC before putting exempt groundwater to use.

Limit: 35 gpm or less AND ≤10 acre-ft/yr; a combined appropriation exceeding 10 acre-ft needs a permit regardless of flow rate

Montana DNRC — Water Rights Permit Exceptions (Exempt Wells) ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Montana state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Silver Bow County, Montana

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

Silver Bow County scores 68/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop and manageable long-term carry cost.

Do you need a building permit in Silver Bow County, Montana?

Silver Bow County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Butte-Silver Bow Environmental Health Division. 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 Silver Bow County, Montana?

Land in Silver Bow County runs about $2,572 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Silver Bow County?

Silver Bow County gets about 18.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 17.2% of years. On water rights, Silver Bow County lies in the Butte Alluvial & Bedrock Controlled Groundwater Area — ~8.5 sq mi in/around Butte (Superfund/mining contamination); all new wells require a permit and water-quality controls..

How remote is Silver Bow County?

A representative private-land location has about 25,145 people within a 30-minute drive and 317,087 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 Silver Bow County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Silver Bow compares in Montana

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