Bolthole Index

Teton County, Montana

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Teton County, Montana

70Index Score / 100
#13 of 56 in Montana

Teton County, Montana has not adopted planning or zoning, and the county planner issues letters confirming that absence when requested1. Most single-family homes in unincorporated Teton County also need no local building permit, because Teton County has no certified local building-code program of its own; only Choteau's city limits do2. Septic systems are handled by the Teton County Sanitarian, who requires a permit application even when a parcel already has prior state or county approval3. Two other county permits still apply regardless of zoning: a floodplain permit if your land sits in a Regulated Flood Hazard Area, and subdivision review if you're dividing land45.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required by the county for most homes outside Choteau's certified city-limits building program; state permit rules may still apply2
Zoning
None countywide; the county planner issues absence-of-zoning letters on request1
Septic permits
Teton County Sanitarian; an application is required even with prior state or county approval3
Owner-builder
Yes, statewide, for an owner working on their own property, with conditions if built for prompt resale6
Floodplain permit
Required in the Regulated Flood Hazard Area; $500 application fee, administered by the County Planner4
Subdivision
Regulated countywide under the Teton County Subdivision Regulations, with an agricultural-use exemption available outside platted subdivisions57
Water well
No water-right permit needed at or below 35 gallons/minute and 10 acre-feet/year; a Notice of Intent is required starting 20268
Septic soil difficulty
Only 14.8% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field9

Who to call

Floodplain permits

Teton County Planner (Floodplain Administrator)

Floodplain permits, absence-of-zoning letters, subdivision regulation and review, hazard mitigation, and 911 addressing for Teton County

406-466-3130

[email protected]

19 Main Ave South, PO Box 610, Choteau, MT 59422

Septic permits

Teton County Sanitarian

Septic (wastewater treatment) system permits, site evaluations, and nondegradation analysis for Teton County

406-466-3130

[email protected]

19 Main Avenue South, PO Box 610, Choteau, MT 59422

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 23, 2026.

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

For most single-family homes, no. Montana requires a state building permit for certain new buildings and alterations only in areas without a certified local building-code program, and Teton County itself has not established one; only Choteau's city limits have a certified local program10. Even where the state permit does apply, Montana exempts farm and ranch buildings, private garages and storage buildings for the owner's own use, and residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units unless they serve transient guests, which covers an ordinary single-family home11. Where a state building permit is required, the building may not be used or occupied until the Building Codes Bureau approves it, and separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits are the applicant's own responsibility12. Montana's construction-contractor licensing law also exempts an owner working on their own property, whether occupied or not, though that exemption narrows if the owner is building specifically to sell quickly and hasn't lived there as a primary residence for at least 12 months13.

Who handles floodplain and septic permits in Teton County, and how do you reach them?

There's no county building department to call, since Teton County has no local building-permit program outside Choteau's city limits10. For floodplain permits and questions about the county's absence of zoning, the Teton County Planner's office is at 19 Main Ave South, PO Box 610, Choteau, MT 59422, phone 406-466-313014. For septic systems, the Teton County Sanitarian, reached at the same office and phone number, requires a completed permit application before installation, even on parcels that already carry state or prior county approval15.

Does Teton County have zoning?

No. Teton County has not adopted countywide zoning, and the county planner's office issues letters confirming the absence of zoning to anyone who requests one116. Montana law lets a board of county commissioners adopt zoning once it has adopted a growth policy, but that's an enabling statute, and Teton County has not used it for general countywide zoning17. With no zoning ordinance, the county publishes no specific zoning districts for unincorporated land18. Two land-use controls still apply regardless: floodplain regulation, administered by the County Planner as floodplain administrator, and the Teton County Subdivision Regulations, which govern how land can be divided45. A subdivision landscape buffer of 25 feet can be required by the governing body to mitigate public-health or safety impacts, though only when imposed on a specific project19. Land divided outside a platted subdivision for exclusive agricultural use can qualify for an exemption from subdivision review, if the parties record a covenant limiting the land to agricultural purposes and the division also qualifies for a sanitation-review exclusion7. This all applies to unincorporated Teton County only; the City of Choteau and the towns of Fairfield and Dutton may have their own separate zoning18.

How do septic permits work in Teton County?

Every septic (wastewater treatment) system in Teton County needs a permit from the Teton County Sanitarian, and an application is required even if the system already has prior approval from the state or the county320. For parcels smaller than 20 acres, the wastewater system and well typically need approval through the state Department of Environmental Quality, and those approved locations can't be changed without DEQ's sign-off20. For parcels larger than 20 acres, approval may instead have been handled at the county level depending on when the parcel was created, and Montana law confirms that even a Certificate of Subdivision Approval doesn't replace the required drainfield permit from the local health department2021. If a system hasn't received either DEQ or county approval, the property owner must schedule and pay for a site evaluation, including an 8-foot-deep, 2-foot-wide soil test pit within 25 feet of the proposed drainfield15. Soils here favor conventional systems more than in many Montana counties but still leave real limits: 14.8% of Teton County's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field9, so a site evaluation is still worth budgeting time for. If your proposed system sits near the floodplain, a floodplain determination from the County Planner is required before installation4.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Teton County?

No official source reviewed for this guide confirms RV living, tiny-home occupancy, or temporary camping on an ordinary private parcel in unincorporated Teton County, since the county's clearest RV and manufactured-home rules apply only to developments offering two or more spaces for rent or lease, which trigger subdivision review as an RV park or mobile/manufactured home park2223. Those park standards include a 20-foot separation between recreational vehicles, a 25-foot setback from public streets, and, for manufactured home parks, limits on how much of each space a home and its accessory structures may cover2223. None of that resolves whether a single RV, tiny home, or manufactured home can be occupied on your own private parcel outside a regulated park; with no countywide zoning ordinance, there's likely no county zoning bar to it, but confirm with the County Planner before you buy land with a specific plan in mind1.

Building a home in Teton County: the steps, in order

First, confirm whether your parcel falls under Choteau's certified local building program or the rest of unincorporated Teton County, since that determines whether a building permit applies at all10. Second, check whether your land is in the Regulated Flood Hazard Area with the County Planner, and apply for the $500 floodplain permit before development if it is144. Third, confirm your parcel's septic approval history: check whether it already has state DEQ or county approval, and if not, schedule your own site evaluation, including the required soil test pit, before applying for your septic permit through the Sanitarian1520. Fourth, if your driveway will connect to a state highway, apply to the appropriate MDT District Office for an approach permit, with a detailed site plan and Environmental Checklist Form24. Fifth, if you need a new well beyond 35 gallons per minute or 10 acre-feet a year, apply for a Beneficial Water Use Permit; smaller developments can typically use the exempt-well process instead, though a Notice of Intent will be required starting January 1, 20268. Finally, build: outside Choteau's certified city-limits building program, an ordinary single-family home needs no county building permit2.

What to check before you buy land in Teton County

Water is the headline issue here: Teton County gets only about 17.2 inches of precipitation a year with severe drought in 14.1% of years, so a reliable well and its water-right status deserve real scrutiny before you buy2526. Septic soils are workable on some of the county but not most of it, with only 14.8% of land free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so budget for a site evaluation9. The terrain is largely gentle, with 81% of land at 15% slope or less, though only 15.3% is wooded, and 22.8% of the county is federal land worth checking against any specific parcel272829. Confirm whether the parcel is in the Regulated Flood Hazard Area, since new building construction isn't permitted at all in the floodway itself30. If the tract was recently split from a larger parcel, ask whether it went through the Teton County Subdivision Regulations or qualified for the agricultural-use exemption, since that affects road access, utilities, and what you can later do with the land57. Typical property tax runs about 0.8% effectively, with a median bill near $1,929 a year, against a typical home value around $364,002313233.

Watch-outs

  • No official source confirms RV living, tiny-home occupancy, temporary camping, or accessory-dwelling rules on an ordinary private parcel in unincorporated Teton County; the county's clearest rules cover regulated RV and manufactured-home parks, not individual land22.
  • New building construction is not permitted at all within a Teton County floodway, and improvements to existing structures there still need a Floodplain Development Permit; confirm floodway status with the County Planner before you buy30.
  • Several other Teton Counties exist (Wyoming and Idaho); confirm you're reading Teton County, Montana (area code 406, Choteau) before trusting a search result14.

Sources

  1. Planner | Teton County Montana (2026 county census)
  2. Montana DLI Building Codes Program - Building Permit FAQ (2026 county census)
  3. Septic System Permiting | Teton County Montana (2026 county census)
  4. 2022 Teton County Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  5. Teton County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  6. MCA -- December 2025, Chapter 45 Construction Contractors (2026 county census)
  7. Teton County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  8. Apply for Water Rights, quoted and re-checked
  9. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  10. Certified City, County and Town Programs, quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  12. Application for Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  13. MCA -- December 2025, Chapter 45 Construction Contractors, quoted and re-checked
  14. Teton County Planner (Floodplain Administrator) (tetoncountymt.gov)
  15. Teton County Sanitarian (tetoncountymt.gov)
  16. Planner | Teton County Montana, quoted and re-checked
  17. 76-2-201. County zoning authorized, MCA (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Planner | Teton County Montana, quoted and re-checked
  19. Teton County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  20. Septic System Permiting | Teton County Montana, quoted and re-checked
  21. Engineering Infrastructure & Subdivisions (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Teton County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  23. Teton County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  24. Approach Manual for Landowners and Developers (Montana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Owning Property in a Floodway, quoted and re-checked
  31. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written September 23, 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

Teton County in Montana

70
County map
Teton County highlighted among the Montana counties · colored by Index score

How Teton County scores

Seclusion85100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency35100% ev.
Admin Boringness87100% ev.
Durability45100% ev.
Property Autonomy83100% ev.
Carry Cost80100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$364kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$1,825Land / acre
17.2"Annual rain
14.1% of yrsSevere drought
1.2 / yr (+1.1)Mid-century 100°F days
22.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.33" (+5.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.24×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,716Home insurance / yr
1.6% / yrInsurance growth
0.79%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
508People within 30 min
188,712People within 2 hr
2,230Radius comparison (15 mi)
2.8People / sq mi
22.8%Federal land
81%Land at 15% slope or less
14.8%Septic soil without severe limits
210,611 acWorkable land screen
15.3%Wooded land
17.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac
42°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Teton County

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

Teton County rules

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building-code adoption and enforcement across Teton County, Montana: Choteau city limits have a certified local building program, while other areas fall under the State Building Codes Bureau.

    • The state page says the list contains all certified local government building-code jurisdictions.
    • Choteau is listed with B (Building) certification for City Limits.
    • All other areas are under the State Building Codes Bureau.
    • State building-permit exemptions and other project-specific requirements may apply.

    certified local building code coverage in Choteau: B (City Limits)

    “Below is a list of all certified local government building code jurisdictions and certified building code inspectors: [...] All other areas are under the jurisdiction of the State Building Codes Bureau [...] Choteau | B | Kyle Harlan | 466-2510 | City Limits”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Countywide zoning in Teton County, including the county's unincorporated area.

    • The county planner issues absence-of-zoning letters when requested.
    • Floodplain regulations and subdivision regulations remain separate land-use controls.
    “This office issues floodplain permits and letters to interested parties regarding the absence of zoning in the county, when requested.”
  • Local zoningAbsent

    County zoning in unincorporated Teton County.

    • The county page describes the absence of zoning in the county; it separately identifies floodplain and subdivision responsibilities.
    • Municipal zoning rules, if any, are not established by this claim.
    “This office issues floodplain permits and letters to interested parties regarding the absence of zoning in the county, when requested.”
  • Zoning districtsNot published

    Countywide zoning districts and zoning-district publications in Teton County; the county statement addresses the county generally, while incorporated municipalities may have separate rules.

    • The county planner states that the office issues letters regarding the absence of zoning in the county.
    • This conclusion does not determine zoning rules administered by the City of Choteau or the towns of Fairfield and Dutton.
    “This office issues floodplain permits and letters to interested parties regarding the absence of zoning in the county, when requested.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Subdivisions in unincorporated Teton County where the governing body requires a landscape buffer to mitigate public-health or safety impacts.

    • The governing body may require the buffer when needed to mitigate impacts.
    • Landscaping must be installed before final plat approval.
    • A maintenance agreement must be filed for the landscaping.

    landscape buffer/setback: 25 feet (Required only when imposed by the governing body to mitigate impacts.)

    “25-foot setback on the face of the final plat”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of recreational camping vehicles in Teton County developments providing two or more spaces for rent or lease.

    • The development is subject to Teton County subdivision review.
    • Two or more recreational camping vehicle spaces trigger review under Section VII-B-3.
    • The regulations address recreational vehicle parks and do not establish permission for a single RV on every private parcel.
    • Applicable Montana Department of Environmental Quality requirements must be met before final approval.

    minimum recreational-vehicle separation: >= 20 feet (Attached structures and awnings are included in the recreational vehicle for this measurement.) · setback from public street or highway right-of-way: >= 25 feet · setback from other park boundary lines: >= 15 feet · minimum parking-area dimensions per space: 9 by 18 feet

    “Developments which are subject to subdivision review because they will provide two or more spaces for recreational camping vehicles will be reviewed under Section VII-B-3. Recreational Vehicle Park Standards, below.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Occupancy of mobile/manufactured homes in Teton County developments providing two or more spaces for rent or lease.

    • The development is subject to Teton County subdivision review.
    • Two or more mobile/manufactured home spaces trigger review under Section VII-B-2.
    • The regulations address mobile/manufactured home parks and do not establish permission for a manufactured home on every private parcel.
    • Applicable Montana Department of Environmental Quality requirements must be met before final approval.

    setback from public street or highway right-of-way: >= 25 feet · setback from other park boundary lines: >= 15 feet · mobile/manufactured home pad maximum share of space: <= one-third of space area · total home and roofed accessory structures maximum share of space: <= two-thirds of space area · minimum separation between mobile/manufactured homes: >= 20 feet (Attached structures such as awnings and carports are included.) · minimum off-street parking per mobile/manufactured home space: >= 2 spaces · guest parking: per 1 space per 10 mobile/manufactured home spaces (Group parking may be provided.)

    “Developments which are subject to subdivision review because they will provide two or more spaces for mobile/manufactured homes will be reviewed under Section VII-B-2. Mobile/Manufactured Home Park Standards, below.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Septic-system permitting and approval for parcels in Teton County, including parcels larger than 20 acres where county approval may apply.

    • For parcels larger than 20 acres, county approval may depend on when the parcel was created.
    • A septic system permit application remains required even when prior approval exists.

    parcel area threshold: > 20 acres (The county page states that parcels larger than 20 acres may have county-based approval depending on parcel-creation timing.)

    “A septic system permit application is still required if you have prior approval.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Divisions of land outside platted subdivisions in Teton County created for exclusive agricultural use under Section 76-3-207(1)(c), MCA.

    • The division must be made outside a platted subdivision.
    • The parties must enter a covenant running with the land that the divided land will be used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
    • If the divided land is used for anything other than agricultural purposes, it must go through subdivision review.
    • Agricultural purposes mean raising crops or livestock, or preserving open space, and exclude residential, commercial, and industrial uses and structures and facilities for commercially or industrially processing agricultural products.
    • The division must be exempt from MDEQ sanitation review under Section 76-4-125(2)(c), and the sanitation exclusion must be invoked on the certificate of survey or instrument of conveyance.
    • The certificate of survey or instrument of conveyance requires a covenant running with the land and a signed and acknowledged recitation of the covenant.
    • Applicable county tax-payment certification and anti-evasion requirements also apply.
    “used exclusively for agricultural purposes”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in unincorporated Teton County under the Teton County Subdivision Regulations.

    • The regulations are authorized under the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act, Title 76, Chapter 3, MCA.
    • Major and minor subdivisions have different procedures.
    • Certain divisions of land are exempt from local subdivision review, but exemption claims are examined by the subdivision administrator and may be denied if used to evade the Act.
    • Approved subdivisions must comply with applicable design and improvement standards, subject to stated variances and exceptions.
    “These regulations govern the subdivision of land”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development, new construction, alteration, or substantial improvement within a Teton County Regulated Flood Hazard Area.

    • The regulations apply only to flood hazard areas formally adopted as Regulated Flood Hazard Areas.
    • Floodplain permits must be obtained before development occurs within the Regulated Flood Hazard Area.
    • The floodplain administrator is the Teton County Planner.
    • The regulations became effective July 21, 2022.

    floodplain permit application fee: 500 USD · floodplain variance permit application fee: 500 USD

    “Floodplain permits must be obtained according to these regulations before development occurs that is within the Regulated Flood Hazard Area.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — New construction and improvements to existing structures within a Teton County floodway.
      “New building construction is not permitted in the floodway. Improvements to existing structures in a floodway must obtain a Floodplain Development Permit.”

Montana rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction, remodeling, moving, or change of occupancy of buildings in unincorporated Teton County areas under the Montana State Building Codes Bureau.

    • The State Building Codes Bureau has jurisdiction in areas not listed as certified local government building-code jurisdictions; the official certified-jurisdiction list states: "All other areas are under the jurisdiction of the State Building Codes Bureau."
    • A state building permit is required before construction for certain new buildings, alterations, additions, and repairs.
    • State-level exemptions include farm and ranch buildings; mining buildings on mining property; petroleum refineries and pulp and paper mills except office and shop 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 and not as part of a commercial enterprise or business.
    • Local certified-government requirements may apply within a certified local jurisdiction.

    residential dwelling units: < 5 dwelling units (Exemption applies only when the residential building does not serve transient guests.)

    “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.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner working on the owner's property under Montana construction-contractor licensing law, including property in Teton County.

    • The exemption applies to an owner working on the owner's property whether occupied by the owner or not.
    • The exemption does not apply when the owner is otherwise covered by the construction-contractor chapter and constructs an improvement intending and for the purpose of promptly selling the improved property, unless the owner has continuously occupied the property as the owner's primary residence for at least the last 12 months.
    • This exemption concerns construction-contractor licensing and does not independently waive building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, floodplain, septic, or other permits.

    continuous primary-residence occupancy for resale exception: >= 12 months (Required for the owner exemption to apply when the owner otherwise covered by the chapter constructs an improvement intending to promptly sell the improved property.)

    “to an owner working on the owner's property, whether occupied by the owner or not, but this exemption does not apply to an owner who is otherwise covered by this chapter who constructs an improvement on the owner's property with the intention and for the purpose of promptly selling the improved property, unless the owner has continuously occupied the property as the owner's primary residence for at least the last 12 months;”
  • 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 projects requiring a Montana state building permit in unincorporated Teton County areas under State Building Codes Bureau 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 requiring a Montana state building permit in unincorporated Teton County areas under State Building Codes Bureau jurisdiction.

    • The building may not be used or occupied until approved by the Bureau.
    • The permit application states that the building permit is provisional and conditioned on the submitted and approved plans and specifications.
    • Separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits may also be required and are the applicant's responsibility.
    “Construction of the proposed project may not be started by any person until a building permit is issued. The building may not be used or occupied by any person until approved by the Bureau.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Buildings constructed in accordance with the Montana state building code or a county, city, or town building code.
      “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.”
  • 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.”
  • Well permitLimited

    New or expanded groundwater uses and wells serving property in Teton County, subject to Montana water-right exceptions.

    • A Beneficial Water Use Permit is required for new or expanded groundwater uses unless an exception applies.
    • Groundwater uses over 35 gallons per minute or 10 acre-feet per year require a water permit.
    • Small groundwater developments at or below 35 gallons per minute and at or below 10 acre-feet per year may qualify for the exempt-well exception and receive a Groundwater Certificate rather than a water permit.
    • Beginning January 1, 2026, users intending to develop water through a permit exception must file a Notice of Intent with DNRC before using water from an exempt well.
    • DNRC states that a combined appropriation from the same source by two or more wells or developed springs exceeding 10 acre-feet requires a permitted water right regardless of flow rate.
    • An authorized Notice of Intent is reviewed within 10 business days, generally allows five years to complete the project, and has a $400 form fee.
    • Closed-basin or controlled-groundwater-area restrictions may require a permit regardless of size, but the reviewed source did not identify a Teton County-specific closure.

    groundwater flow threshold for permit requirement: > 35 gallons per minute (Uses at or below this threshold may qualify for an exception subject to other conditions.) · annual groundwater volume threshold for permit requirement: > 10 acre-feet per year (Uses at or below this threshold may qualify for an exception subject to other conditions.) · Notice of Intent review period: 10 business days (For a correct and complete Notice of Intent.) · Notice of Intent form fee: 400 USD · Notice of Intent completion period: 5 years (One five-year extension may be available.)

    “A water permit is required for all surface water use and groundwater uses over 35 gallons per minute (gpm) or 10 acre-feet per year.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Teton County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Teton County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory-dwelling occupancy in unincorporated Teton County.
  • Septic inspection — Routine or final septic-system inspection requirements in Teton County.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation, including private septic treatment systems, in Teton County.
1 more unanswered
  • 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 Teton County, Montana

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

Teton County scores 70/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and deep seclusion — about 508 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: thin water margin (17.2″/yr rainfall).

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

Teton County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Teton County Sanitarian. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. 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.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Teton County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Teton County is limited to specific cases: Occupancy of recreational camping vehicles in Teton County developments providing two or more spaces for rent or lease. The development is subject to Teton County subdivision review. Two or more recreational camping vehicle spaces trigger review under Section VII-B-3. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Teton County, Montana?

Land in Teton County runs about $1,825 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Teton County?

Teton County gets about 17.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 14.1% of years.

How remote is Teton County?

A representative private-land location has about 508 people within a 30-minute drive and 188,712 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 Teton County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Teton compares in Montana

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