Permits

Planning to build outside of the city limits in Lewis and Clark County? If so, please use this Construction Checklist to ensure you have all obtained all required permits and reviewed all necessary documentation associated with your property prior to construction.

The CDP processes all applications listed below and the fees associated with those applications, and acts as a liaison between the applicant and various County Departments and entities involved in the permitting process.

Permits, Applications, and Agreements:

Address Applications

County Address Applications are processed for addresses on parcels located within the County, but outside of the City Limits of Helena and East Helena. The fee payment for this form includes the purchase of an address plaque; however, the plaque will only be created upon request.  

County Address Application Requirements:

Address plaques are also available for purchase for parcels that are already addressed.

County Address Plaque Order Form Requirements:

For more information, please contact the Address Coordinator.  

Approach Permits

Per the 2023 County Public Works Manual, all road approaches onto a County or public road require an Approach Permit prior to construction of the approach.

Road Approach Permit Application Instructions

Application Requirements:

*A Certified Approach Installer is required for construction of the road approach. Please choose from the list of Certified Approach Installers below.*

Certified Approach Installers(PDF, 452KB)

For more information, please contact the Construction Project Coordinator.

Buildings for Lease or Rent Applications

Buildings for Lease or Rent Applications are processed by the CDP when 4 or more buildings for lease or rent are to be created on a single tract of land. However, properties with Part 2 zoning are not reviewed under Buildings for Lease or Rent (BLR). Although a pre-application meeting is not mandatory for BLRs, it is highly encouraged, as it allows staff an opportunity to review plans, answer questions, and address any concerns of an applicant. Pre-application meetings are scheduled through the CDP. 

Application Requirements: 

For more information, please contact the CDP. 

*When 3 or fewer buildings for lease or rent are being proposed on a single tract of record, please contact the Lewis and Clark Public Health - Environmental Services Division for information regarding a review.*

Encroachment Agreements

Encroachment Agreements are required for encroachments into County or public rights-of-way or road easements, or into other easements created through the subdivision review process.

Encroachment applications for encroachments into County or public rights-of-way or road easements are reviewed by the Public Works Director, and upon approval, are recorded with the Clerk and Recorder.

Encroachment applications for encroachments into other easements created through the subdivision review process are reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners, and upon approval, are recorded with the Clerk and Recorder.

Application Requirements:

For more information, please contact the Development Services Supervisor at 406-447-8392.

Excavation Permits

An Excavation Permit is required for disturbing/excavating the ground in a County or public road right-of-way or easement. Excavation Permit applications are reviewed by the County Public Works Department, and the Public Works Department will determine the location, number, and configuration of all excavations within the right-of-way or easement.

Application Requirements:

For more information, please contact the County Public Works Department.

Floodplain Permits

Floodplain Permits are required for any construction in a Special Flood Hazard Area. The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are the official maps on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), and the applicable risk premium zones.

Floodplain Permit Application Requirements:

Additional Information:

For more information, please contact the Floodplain Manager.

Open Lands Funding Request Applications

Open Lands Funding Request Applications are reviewed by the CDP, forwarded to the Citizen's Advisory Committee for consideration and recommendation, and forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration and decision on whether or not to utilize bond funds.

Open Lands Funding Request Application Requirements:

For more information, please contact the Open Lands Program Coordinator.

Parks Improvement and Maintenance Funding Applications

Parks Improvement and Maintenance Funding Applications are reviewed by the CDP and forwarded to the Parks Board for consideration and decision. Eligible lands include any designated park, school playground, community center, or other similar recreation site. If the project is not located in a County park or recreation area, or on a trail, the owner must show that the site will be accessible to the general public and that it has/will have long-term maintenance. In addition, a 25% match for the project expenses must be provided, which may consist of real cash, in-kind contributions, or volunteered time. Applications are considered twice a year with deadlines on February 1st or September 1st.

*An Emergency Park Improvement/Maintenance Project Grant is available for emergency assistance with a specific park improvement or maintenance project experiencing a threat to the health and safety of residents.*

Application Requirements:

For more information, please contact the CDP. 

Road and Right-of-Way Abandonments, Openings, and Changes

Road and Right-of-Way Abandonments, Openings, and Changes are accepted from those individuals requesting to abandon, open, or change a County or public road and right-of-way.

Application Requirements:

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Application form (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Petition (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Comprehensive Permitting Form,
  • Copy of filed certificate of survey, and
  • Fee payment.

For more information or to schedule a pre-application meeting, please contact the Development Services Supervisor at 406-447-8392.

Site Evaluations and Septic Permits

For information regarding Site Evaluations and Septic Permits, please contact Lewis and Clark Public Health - Environmental Services Division.

Subdivision Applications

Subdivision Applications are processed by the CDP and are required for any division of land creating additional lots less than 160 acres in size, condominiums, and/or any area, regardless of size, that provides multiple spaces for rent or lease on which recreational vehicles or mobile homes will be placed.

Preliminary Plat Subdivision Application Requirements:

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Comprehensive Permitting Form,
  • Subdivision variance application(s), if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Information required under Appendix B of the Subdivision Regulations (Subdivision Application Form, Contents, and Supplements), and
  • Fee payment (includes subdivision application and any variance application(s)).

Final Plat Subdivision Application Requirements:

Amended Subdivision Plat Application Requirements:

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Comprehensive Permitting Form,
  • Subdivision variance application(s), if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Information required under Appendix B of the Subdivision Regulations, depending upon specifics of request (Subdivision Application Form, Contents, and Supplements), and
  • Fee payment (includes amended plat application and any variance application(s)).

Modification to Preliminary Subdivision Plat Application Requirements:

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Subdivision variance application(s), if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Information required under Appendix B of the Subdivision Regulations, depending upon specifics of request (Subdivision Application Form, Contents, and Supplements), and
  • Fee payment (includes modification application and any variance application(s)).

Extension of Preliminary Plat Approval Application Requirements:

Extension of Subdivision Improvements Agreement Application Requirements:

For more information or to schedule a pre-application meeting, please contact the CDP. 

Survey Review Committee (Exemptions)

The Survey Review Committee reviews all certificates of surveys filed with the Clerk and Recorder. New surveys are required for boundary line adjustments, retracements of existing parcels, family transfer lots, utility lots, mortgage tracts, court order divisions, etc. Sworn affidavits are required for boundary line adjustments, family transfer lots, and mortgage tracts.

Boundary Line Adjustment Application Requirements:

Retracement Application Requirements:

Family Transfer Lot Application Requirements:

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Comprehensive Permitting Form,
  • Affidavit,
  • Current deed(s),
  • Existing survey(s), 
  • Marriage license(s) (if applicable),
  • Birth certificate(s) (if applicable),
  • DRAFT survey,
  • Other pertinent documents, and
  • Fee payment.

Utility Lot Application Requirements:

Mortgage Tract Application Requirements:

Court Ordered Division Application Requirements:

Agricultural Covenant Application Requirements:

 Agricultural Covenant Revocation Application Requirements:

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Comprehensive Permitting Form,
  • Letter to Board of County Commissioners requesting revocation,
  • Current deed(s),
  • Existing survey(s),
  • Other pertinent documents,
  • Subdivision Application (if subdivision review process required for revocation), and
  • Fee payment.

*A pre-application meeting may be required for any of these applications.*

*Examining Land Surveyor fee is extra, as are filing charges for the Clerk and Recorder.*

For more information or to schedule a pre-application meeting, please contact the Development Services Supervisor at 406-447-8392. 

Weed Management Plans

Weed Management Plans are required for subdivision approvals, as well as for timber harvests and hard rock mining permits (including gravel pits). A "weed free certification" is required prior to soil disturbance.

Application Requirements:

For more information, please contact the Weed Coordinator.

Zoning Applications

Zoning Applications are processed by the CDP for the various Part 1 and Part 2 zoning districts/classifications in the County. Applications include, Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), variances, appeals, text amendments, and map amendments. The CDP also accepts applications for creating Part 1 zoning districts.

Conditional Use Permit Application Requirements (Part 1 and Part 2):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Conditional Use Permit Application Form (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on Conditional Use Permit Checklist (handed out following pre-application meeting), and
  • Fee payment.

Variance Application Requirements (Part 1 and Part 2):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Variance Application Form (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on the Variance Checklist (handed out following pre-application meeting), and
  • Fee payment (includes subdivision application and any variance application(s)).

Planned Development Application Requirements (Preliminary Plat w/ Major Subdivision):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on the Planned Development Checklist - Preliminary Plan w/ Major Subdivision (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Comprehensive Permitting Form,
  • Major Subdivision Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Subdivision variance application(s), if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Information required under Appendix B of the Subdivision Regulations (Subdivision Application Form, Contents, and Supplements),
  • Conditional Use Permit Application Form, if proposed use(s) is listed as a Conditional Use (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on Conditional Use Permit Checklist, if proposed use(s) is listed as a Conditional Use (handed out following pre-application meeting), and
  • Fee payment (includes Planned Development Application, Subdivision Application, any variance application(s), and any CUP application(s)).

Planned Development Application Requirements (Preliminary Plat w/ Minor Subdivision):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on the Planned Development Checklist - Preliminary Plan w/ Minor Subdivision (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Comprehensive Permitting Form,
  • Minor Subdivision Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Subdivision variance application(s), if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Information required under Appendix B of the Subdivision Regulations (Subdivision Application Form, Contents, and Supplements),
  • Conditional Use Permit Application Form, if proposed use(s) is listed as a Conditional Use (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on Conditional Use Permit Checklist, if proposed use(s) is listed as a Conditional Use (handed out following pre-application meeting), and
  • Fee payment (includes Planned Development Application, Subdivision Application, any variance application(s), and any CUP application(s)).

Planned Development Application Requirements (Preliminary Plat w/ No Subdivision):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on the Planned Development Checklist - Preliminary Plan w/ No Subdivision (handed out following pre-application meeting)
  • Comprehensive Permitting Form,
  • Conditional Use Permit Application Form, if proposed use(s) is listed as a Conditional Use (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on Conditional Use Permit Checklist, if proposed use(s) is listed as a Conditional Use (handed out following pre-application meeting), and
  • Fee payment (includes Planned Development Application and any CUP application(s)).

Planned Development Application Requirements (Amendment):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Application (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on the Planned Development Checklist - Amendment (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Subdivision Application, if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Subdivision variance application(s), if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • Information required under Appendix B of the Subdivision Regulations (Subdivision Application Form, Contents, and Supplements), if applicable,
  • Conditional Use Permit Application Form, if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on Conditional Use Permit Checklist, if applicable (handed out following pre-application meeting), and
  • Fee payment (includes Planned Development Application, any Subdivision Application, variance application(s), and/or CUP application(s)).

Planned Development Application Requirements (Final Plat):

Appeals Application Requirements (Part 1):

  • Appeal Application Form,
  • All items listed on the Appeal Checklist, and
  • Fee payment.

Appeals Application Requirements (Part 2 - Helena Valley (RR, SR, and UR Districts)):

  • Appeal Application Form,
  • All items listed on the Appeal Checklist, and
  • Fee Payment.

Appeals Application Requirements (Part 2 - Fort Harrison UGA and RGA):

  • Appeal Application Form,
  • All items listed on the Appeal Checklist,
  • and Fee payment.

Text Amendment Application Requirements (Part 1 and Part 2):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Text Amendment Application Form (handed out following pre-application meeting)
  • All items listed on the Zoning Text Amendment Checklist (handed out following pre-application meeting), and
  • Fee payment.

Map Amendment Application Requirements (Part 1 and Part 2):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Zoning Map Amendment Application Form (handed out following pre-application meeting),
  • All items listed on the Zoning Map Amendment Checklist (handed out following pre-application meeting), and
  • Fee payment.

Creation of a Zoning District Application Requirements (Part 1):

  • Pre-application meeting,
  • Petition to Create Planning and Zoning District (must include 60% of landowners within proposed district boundary) (NOTE: Petition must include: (1) proposed map with detailed boundaries, (2) proposed purpose statement, and (3) explanation of zoning process), and
  • Fee payment.

For more information or to schedule a pre-application meeting, please contact the CDP.

 

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