(1) International Building Code (IBC) Section 108.2, Schedule of Building Permit Fees, is modified for use by the department with the following additions:

(a) Permit fees. The fee for each building permit is established in Table 108.2.

(b) Plan review fees. When submittal documents are required, a plan review fee must be paid in addition to the building permit fee. The plan review fee is 35 percent of the building permit fee as established in Table 108.2. If only plan review services are provided, the plan review fee for such services shall be 50 percent of the combined plan review and building permit fee.

(c) Add a new paragraph to IBC Section 108.2 to read: "Requested Inspection Fee - $45, provided that such service is not in excess of one hour in duration, and then $25 for each 30 minutes or fractional part thereof in excess of one hour. Travel and per diem will be charged as per the state of Montana's existing rates for these items."

(2) A minimum 50 percent of the combined building permit fee and the plan review fee must be paid before a building permit application is reviewed beyond the initial screening. Both the building permit fee and the plan review fee must be paid before a building permit will be issued.

(3) The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of this code shall be made by the building official. The value to be used in computing the building permit and building plan review fees is the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire-extinguishing systems, and any other permanent equipment.

(4) The value or valuation of a building or structure under any of the provisions of the International Building Code will be determined using one of the following methods of determining valuation, listed in their order of priority:

(a) firm bids or contract amounts, if available;

(b) the design professional's preliminary cost estimate, if such estimate is available; or

(c) the cost per square foot method of valuation and the cost per square foot figures, modified by region, for the type and quality of construction listed in the "Building Valuation Data" table of the March/April 2002 Edition of "International Conference of Building Officials Building Standards" magazine, published by the International Conference of Building Officials.

(d) When in unusual circumstances the valuation calculated by the use of the "Building Valuation Data" table, the design professional's estimated project cost, firm bids, or contract amounts are determined to be unreasonable for the nature of the project, the department reserves the right to base the building permit fee and plan review fee on the best valuation information it has available to it.

(5) For purposes of calculation of fees, the building valuation shall be rounded off to the nearest $1000 and any calculated building and plan review fees shall be rounded off to the nearest $1.

(6) As provided in ARM 24.301.203, local governments certified to enforce the state building code may establish their own permit fees. Local governments may also establish their own method of building valuation.

(7) For projects involving replacement of existing building components, such as roof coverings, siding, and windows, the department may use the requested inspection fee rate in calculating and assessing an appropriate and reasonable fee for projects in which such factors as material costs cause the plan review and building permit fee to exceed the cost of the service the department provides.

(8) A copy of the "Building Valuation Data" table may be obtained free of charge from the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Building and Measurement Standards, P.O. Box 200517, 301 South Park, Helena, MT 59620-0517.

TABLE 108.2

BUILDING PERMIT FEES

¹ Actual costs include administrative and overhead costs.