Glossary of Terms
- Home
- Glossary of Terms
- Address/Approach permit
- Address - When new construction does not have a property address, address and/or approach permits are required. An address, and possibly a new road name, may be required if it is a second unit on the property, per Public Works manual policies.
- Approach - The Engineering Department reviews permits for approaches on public streets/roads. A driveway approach is defined as the transition at the end of a private street or driveway where it connects to a public or private street. Driveway approaches on private streets do not require a permit.
- Accessory A structure that is accessory to and incidental to that of the dwelling(s) and that is located on the same lot. Some examples might include detached garages or detached storage structures.
- Bedroom - Depending on your project, you may need to submit plans that label rooms in a structure. This sometimes results in confusion, because the Building Division and Health Department approach bedrooms differently.
- If a space is labeled as a bedroom on plans you submit to the Building Division, it must have:
-
- A means of egress, i.e., a way to exit the structure in an emergency. Building code defines a suitable means of egress as a window that has an area of 5.7 square feet when open, with a minimum width of 20 inches and minimum height of 24 inches. The window sill must be no more than 44 inches from the floor.
- A smoke detector
- A carbon monoxide detector
- The Building Division will verify these criteria have been met before issuing your permits.
- The Health Department, on the other hand, must count any room that could reasonably be used as a bedroom, even if you don’t currently plan to use it as one. This is because the Health Department must make sure your septic system is sized appropriately for any possible increases in use.
- In general, these features or qualifications support a space being designated as bedroom:
-
- Means of egress
- Closet
- Area greater than 70 square feet
- Defined as a bedroom by an assessor or on the building plans
- Room is next a bathroom
- Room is on the second level but not a bathroom
- Room is in an accessory building without plumbing
- Features or qualifications that may disqualify a space from being designated as a bedroom include:
-
- Room is obviously a kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining room, laundry room, storage room (without windows) or family room.
- Rooms with no door, large entryways, half walls or other features limiting privacy
- Low ceilings
- No source of ventilation or lighting from outside
- Rooms used as a passage to other rooms
- Open lofts that lead to other rooms
- Media rooms with sloped floors
- Rooms with mechanical facilities or laundry plumbing connections
- Room in a separate building that is not finishing living space, such as a storage shed or greenhouse
- For more details on how the Health Department designates bedrooms, read Identifying Bedrooms to Determine Wastewater Design Flows.
- Blower door test
- Blower door testing is required by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to confirm that energy code air sealing requirements have been met. A blower door is a large fan assembly that is temporarily placed in an exterior doorway to draw air out of the house. Instruments measure the amount of air flow and determine the air leakage rate of the house. Very efficient tight houses may have leakage rates of only 0.6 to 2.5 ACH 50.
- Building permit
- Required to construct, alter, enlarge, repair, move or change the occupancy of a building or a structure.
- Certificate of Occupancy
- After a successful final inspection, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued when requested by the owner or contractor by email to [email protected]. Most lenders will not finalize financing on a new home until they have a copy of this document.
- Certificate of Subdivision Approval (COSA)
- When new parcels are created or altered that are less than 20 acres, or have multiple mobile home/RV spaces on them, they must first gain approval under the Sanitation in Subdivision Act (MCA 76-4). Sanitation in Subdivision laws evaluate the proposed development for environmental protection and public health standards. This includes drinking water supply, wastewater disposal, stormwater management and solid waste disposal. The DEQ or local Health Department will issue a Certificate of Subdivision Approval (COSA) that limits the location and construction of wells, septic systems and stormwater features on the property to only the facilities approved when the parcels were created. Many parcels that are less than 20 acres have a COSA. Once a property has a COSA, the Health Department is prohibited from writing septic or well permits that are not in compliance with the COSA. A COSA rewrite of the approval or site plan revision is required to add more use, change the approved use or move the designated location of wells or septic systems.
- Certificate of Survey (COS)
- A drawing of a field survey prepared by a registered land surveyor for the purpose of disclosing facts pertaining to boundary locations and monumentations, as required by MCA 76-3-103, as amended.
- Codes
- A building code (also building control or building regulations) is a set of rules that specify the minimum standards for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures. Buildings must conform to the code to obtain planning permission, usually from a local council. The main purpose of building codes is to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures.
- Covenants
- A formal promise or contract between two parties to engage in, or refrain from, certain conduct or behavior. A covenant, as referred to on this website, refers to the agreement between a Homeowners Association (HOA) and the homeowner. Breach of a covenant can lead to personal liability or other consequences, as decided upon by the parties. Covenants are generally put in writing and may be used in a property deed or contract. Some covenants or portions of covenants can be enforced by the Board of County Commissioners. Typically, commissioners can enforce provisions required as part of a subdivision approval.
- Development Services
- City of Missoula department that oversees development review, plan review, permitting, site and engineering inspections, licensing and code compliance. Property owners within city limits should apply for permits with the City of Missoula, not Missoula County.
- Dwelling/dwelling unit
- In general, a dwelling/dwelling unit is defined as a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. The intent is to be consistent with the building code. The presence of the following are indicators of a dwelling unit: counters, stove, refrigerator, sink, 220V electrical outlet, and a bathroom that includes bathing facilities. In addition, the unit has independent access and no access from another dwelling unit.
- This list is not all-inclusive, and one of the indicators on its own is not proof of a dwelling unit. This is a general definition of dwelling/dwelling unit. Individual permitting departments may have additional factors that qualify a structure as a dwelling/dwelling unit.
- Duct blast test
- Duct testing is required by International Energy Conservation Code per R403.3.5. Testing can take place in the rough-in stage of construction or postconstruction. It is designed to measure the air tightness of heating, ventilation and air conditioning ductwork.
- Electrical permit
- Residents must have electrical permits for work on the electrical system of a structure, including new services and new meters. Before installing a new meter, property owners should call their local utility to make sure the location is acceptable.
- Engineering
- For building permits, more complex projects may need a professional engineer to complete the building design. For the Development Review Team, the term can also refer to engineering expertise around structures like roads and pipelines.
- Excavation permit
- Required for excavation within a public right-of-way. Excavation cannot extend more than half the width of the public right-of-way at any time. Construction activities cannot block the existing traveled way unless granted specific written approval. Public utility contractors will be allowed up to 20 open excavation permits. General utility contractors will be allowed up to five open excavation permits. Permit holders must notify all utilities of the excavation and will be responsible for the location of all utility lines and their repair if damaged.
- Fire suppression
- If your property is in a platted subdivision, you may be required to install a water source for fire suppression. Please check with the Department of Planning, Development, and Sustainability about requirements.
- Floodplain permit
- Required before development activity on property within the designated flood plain. The permit ensures that all applicable flood code standards have been met.
- Floor plan
- A scale diagram of a room or suite of rooms viewed from above and used to plan effective use and arrangement of furnishings. Each room of the floor plans should also be labeled as to its use.
- Habitable
- A space in a building for living, eating, cooking, and sleeping per the 2021 International Residential code.
- Inspection red card
- These permit cards are issued with a permit and must be kept on site during construction. Any job site without a red card will be charged $45 for a replacement. Also referred to as "red building permit card." The inspection card and stamped drawings are released for construction once permit fees are paid.
- Inspections
- Inspections ensure work is done safely and that it meets the minimum code requirements. Incorrect installations can result in house fires, flood damage and/or structural problems, environmental contamination or unsafe drinking water, and higher costs down the road. Septic and well inspections are only required after the system has been installed. Building and trade inspections are required while work on your project is still ongoing to verify it is being done according to code requirements and the stamped, approved plans. Inspections are also required to close out all building, floodplain, fire, mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits.
- Land use review
- Required in Missoula County. Reviews consist of floodplain/shoreline review; subdivision conditions and plat or Certificate of Survey (COS) conditions; easements, fire, grading and drainage or any other applicable regulations that may pertain to the proposal. In zoned areas, projects must have a zoning compliance permit. In unzoned areas, projects must have a land use permit. Review and issuance of zoning compliance and land use permits promotes public health, safety and welfare of those within and outside of a project location. The spatial review is designed to identify known hazards and review for appropriate mitigation of risk.
- Mechanical permit
- Residents must have mechanical permits for work on heating, cooling and ventilation systems. For example, a furnace or a central air conditioning system would qualify for a mechanical permit. Mechanical work also includes installing a natural gas line, vent, fuel oil tank or chimney liner for appliances or other equipment, such as wood stoves. If your project involves woodstoves, an air quality permit will also be required and will be included when a mechanical permit is issued.
- Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
- A series of publicly-owned conveyances (dry wells and sumps, cubs, catch basins, pipes, culverts and ditches) used to collect and divert storm water to US waterways and ground water.
- Non-habitable
- Any space that is not defined as Habitable Space. Examples might include: a un-enclosed covered entry way, un-enclosed covered patio/porch, un-enclosed covered deck, or an open air lean-to structure for storage only (not for motor vehicles).
- Notice of Violation
- Failure to complete final building and trade inspections will result in a Notice of Violation, which will be recorded on the deed of the property if not resolved. All property owners receive a letter notifying them that they need to finalize their permits before the Notice of Violation is issued. Also, a failure to obtain any required building and trade permits will result in a Notice of Violation, which will be recorded on the deed of the property if the property is not brought into compliance in a timely manner.
- Plat
- A graphical representation of a subdivision showing the division of land into lots, parcels, blocks, streets, alleys, or other divisions and dedications.
- Plumbing permit
- Required for work on the plumbing system of a structure. If you are a homeowner, state law exempts you from needing a permit if you are doing the plumbing on your own home.
- Regulations
- Separate from international building codes, regulations are either state-driven or locally identified rules and resolutions to support a healthy and sustainable community to include quality development and redevelopment of property.
- Septic permit
- A document that allows a certified septic installer to construct a septic system according to the approved location and design standards. Septic permits are issued after the Health Department has determined all state and local wastewater regulations have been met. Appropriate design, construction and location of septic systems are necessary to make sure drinking water, natural resources and human health are protected.
- Shoreline permit
- Ensures construction and other human activity do not interfere with the conservation, protection and restoration of natural lakes, ponds, wildlife, fisheries, riparian habitat, wetlands and shorelines.
- Site plan
- a scaled drawing which shows the uses and structures proposed for a parcel of land. It also includes information concerning the landscape features of a given parcel. Site plans are intended to show how the intended land use relates to the features of a parcel and its surrounding area. Below are 3 examples of site plans used in Missoula County:
- Well and septic site plans
- A well and septic site plan shows where the septic and wells are located in reference to other important and relevant features on and near your property. It should be no larger than 11” by 17.” They cannot be drawn on aerial photograph. Site plans can, but don’t have to be prepared to scale by a professional engineer or architect. If the site plan is not drawn to scale, include enough measurements to accurately depict where everything is on the property.
-
- Buildings
- Property lines
- Surface water
- Wells and wastewater systems within 100 feet of your property
- Roads & driveways
- Easements and no build zones
- Water supplies (wells)
- Floodplain & flood prone areas
- Building site plans
- A site plan is an accurate, scaled drawing of a piece of property showing lot size and shape along with sizes, shapes and precise locations of all existing and proposed features (structures, driveways, utilities, septic system, well, easements, landscaping, etc.)
-
- Boundaries and dimensions of property;
- Locations and dimensions of existing and proposed structures
- Names of existing streets, alleys, driveways and access to property
- Distance from property line to curb or edge of street; distance between all structures; distance from new structures to property lines
- Dimensions and types of easements
- North arrow. Clearly indicate scale (1” = 20’ preferred, 1” = 50’ maximum)
- Provide legal description and/or address of property
- Septic and drain field or sewer line location; and water line or well location, as well as distance of these from new structure
- Topographic map showing existing elevation of all features, including, but not limited to, curbs and sidewalks; property corners; natural features such as steep slopes, streams, marshes and lakes.
- Single family residence on slopes less than 5% are not required to submit grading and drainage data on their site plan. If greater than 5% additional information is required.
- Floodplain
- A Site plan shows:
- Boundaries of the property and other properties in the immediate vicinity
- Approximate location of all floodplain boundaries in the vicinity, as depicted on Missoula County floodplain maps (available online)
- Location of existing improvements, including driveways, roads, culverts, bridges, buildings, wells and septic systems
- Location of all existing physical features, including ponds, swales, streams and irrigation ditches
- Location and dimensions of all proposed improvements, including driveways, roads, culverts, bridges, ponds, excavations, buildings, wells and other structures
- Trade permits
- Missoula County uses the term trade permits to describe separate permits for electrical, mechanical (HVAC) and plumbing work. A project that requires a building permit may require additional permits, including trade permits. Often builders, developers, owners, or contractors prefer, or need, to apply for these permits separately.
- Well permit
- A document that allows the installation/drilling of a well in a certain location. Well permits are issued after the Health Department verifies the proposed well location meets minimum setbacks and is in the approved location on a COSA (if applicable). In addition to protecting public health, appropriate placement of wells maximizes the development options for property owners and neighbors.
- Zoning compliance
- Zoning compliance review is required before any structure, or part of a structure, is created, erected, changed or converted, wholly or in part, in its use, occupancy or construction. A zoning compliance permit must be issued before any new use is established or any existing use is changed wholly or in part. Zoning compliance review includes grading and drainage review. Review and issuance of a zoning compliance permit promotes public health, safety and welfare of those within and outside of a project location. The spatial review is designed to identify known hazards and review for appropriate mitigation of risk.