State of Montana

[Raymond Rood]

Is there anyone out there that does plans in the state of Montana, I have a client that is living in my area and when retiring moving to Montana by his family, I am getting mixed statements about building codes and some say there are none, Bozeman goes by the 2006 IRC codes but from there I am lose, the house is going to be built in Summer Ridge Subdivision of Gallatin County, if someone on Chieftalk is from that area or knows what codes the state of Montana goes by would be very much appreciated.

[carpenterguy]

Well according to the state web site, the areas outside of the Certified places (such as Bozeman) are under the state codes which are IRC 2006.

Andy.

[Raymond Rood]

Andy thanks I did check there and also called the state building office, they gave me a place to get ground snow loads and he did say they go by the 2006 IBC codes and even with the snow load information he gave me he said unless you are in a particular city limits that has codes they are not inspected or checked on, he said I could even draw them on a napkin and then build the house and there would be no inspections, haven't done that in a long time LOL

[Joe Carrick]

he said unless you are in a particular city limits that has codes they are not inspected or checked on

That just means that you should be extra careful to comply. Bldg Depts are never actually responsible but at least when there's a Plan Check and Inspections you have a double check (of sorts) on your work. The bottom line is that you as the designer are responsible for your work. If you don't follow the codes and something happens then you undoubtedly better have E&O insurance which you probably can't get unless you have a license.

[Raymond Rood]

Joseph I agree with you totally seems like Montana is one of the few states that don't go by the ICC codes and does inspect them, so be very careful is for sure, the county wants 11x17 prints and from what I read needs a professional stamp from Montana

[David J. Potter]

Last time I did a home in Montana, I used "Eclipse Engineering, Missoula, Montanna 59802,1-406-721-5733 http://www.eclipse-engineering.com ". They did a great job for me and my client.

DJP

[Raymond Rood]

David thanks for the info I will keep it for when doing these plans.

[claymcc]

Here in Montana it's pretty much up to each individual county. If they don't have a building department then the state will permit and inspect the plumbing and electrical but nothing for the building. The unincorporated areas are under the 2006 IBC there’s just no one to enforce or inspect them. Get a hold of Gallatin County's building department I'm sure they have a "full service" department. As for the napkin sketch approach they still are acceptable is some areas. It's just hard to do a decent 3d walk through and the material list doesn't update automatically. (The ridge caps aren't too good either).

[Curtis Johnson]

Peter Brown does work in the Bozeman and surrounding areas. I met Peter at the Users' Group meeting in Coeur d'Alene in 2009. Very nice fellow. He might be willing to answer your questions. Here's his contact page from his website:

http://www.peterqbrown.com/contact.php

[Raymond Rood]

Thanks Curtis will contact him

[perryh]

Wow, in my almost 40 years of drawing, I have always needed a plan check and engineering for almost every project. I am living in the wrong city. Now I have to detail every nail. Pain and suffering.

[Raymond Rood]

Perry lock at the quality of design and house your are giving your customers, after 40 years in the business also going from design/build to just design and seeing what the ICC codes have done for the safety of my state and for the safety of the residence it was worth the change, I see it from different sides due to the fact that I am also the fire chief where I live, I was hoping for sprinkler systems but they kicked that out of the codes thanks to the NABA.

[perryh]

You are absolutely right, a better project and safe for that big earthquake coming Dec 21 2012.

[Doug Park]

In some of the less populated areas in the west building codes are a relatively new thing. Here in Idaho I always get a kick out of the sign when entering Kootenai county that say's "Building Permits Required".

[Ben Palmer]

I did one there a year or so ago, and the owner kept telling me that I didn't have to put all the details into it that I normally do....he just wanted floor plan, dimensions, elevations and said there wasn't a plan review, but just wanted the plans for layout for concrete framing, etc...

I was having some major withdrawals when putting that together...never heard back so I guess all is well . ? .