Public Works Permits

Excavation Permit(s) (20YY-MSS-EXC-#####) are required for:

• All public and private Sanitary Sewer Mains, Water Mains, Storm Water Mains, within the Right-of-Way (ROW) or within Public Utility Easements (PUE), both for new construction and for repairs to existing mains.
• Private (dry) utility mains or underground construction of private utility services within the ROW or PUE, such as fiber, electrical, and buried cable.  
• Stand-alone fire hydrants, drywells/sumps, and potholing.

Based on the type of excavation permit you are applying for, requirements and details on the permitting process are provided below. 

Excavation Permit for Public Utility Mains

1. Plans for public utility mains (Sanitary Sewer, Water, Storm Water) must be submitted per Chapter 3 of the Missoula City Public Works Standards and Specifications (MCPWSS). The Public Infrastructure Review State Process site provides more information on the submittal process. 
2. Once plans are approved (Stage 4 – Release For Construction), the excavator should complete a Public Works Utility Connection Permit Application. Excavators must include City’s PW Project # (ex:  2021-036) on all correspondence with the City.
3. Email all required documents to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
4. Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit.

Excavation Permit for Drywells/Sumps

1. If this is being reviewed in relation to a building permit, do not create an online excavation permit. Instead, complete a Public Works Utility Connection Permit Application, including the building permit # or address on the application form. Email all required documents to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
2. If this is not related to a building permit or project, complete and submit an online excavation permit through the Citizen Portal and a Drywell Application. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application. 
4. Once approved, Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit. Payment may be done online. 

Excavation Permit for Potholing

1. For stand-alone potholing projects, submit an online excavation permit. 
2. City Engineering will review and approve your application. 
3. Once approved, Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit.

 Excavation Permit for Private Utility Mains and Services

1. Submit an online excavation permit. Plans for private utility mains must be submitted as required per Chapter 2 of the Missoula City Public Works Standards and Specifications (MCPWSS).
2. City Engineering will review and approve your application. 
3. Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit.

Sewer permits (20YY-MSS-SWR-#####) are required for all sanitary sewer service connections, sewer stubs, repairs, and abandonments.  All ROW repairs to curb/gutter, sidewalk, street and alley related to this sewer service project are included within this permit and the applicant is NOT required to obtain a separate ROW Construction permit.  

Detailed information for the sanitary sewer mains in your area is available on the City of Missoula Public Utility Map.

Two sewer permits are typically required on a new sewer service, one for the sewer stub from the main constructed as part of the sewer main, and one for the connection from the stub to the building, constructed as part of the building permit.  If this sewer permit is related to a building permit, submit the building permit # or address of the project on the application form.  This permit can only be purchased by a licensed bonded excavator, not by the property owner or general contractor.

If a building is being demolished, it is required that the existing sewer service be abandoned at the property line.  Sewer services must be abandoned before a demolition permit will be issued.

How to Apply

1. Complete a Public Works Utility Connection Permit Application. Attach site plans and/or quantities sheets if applicable. 
2. Email all required documents to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application. Sewer development fees may be calculated and apply.
4. Once approved, Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit. Note, all development fees must be paid before the excavator can purchase and be issued a permit.

Water permits (20YY-MSS-WTR-#####) are required for all water service connections, water stubs, repairs, and abandonments. All ROW repairs to curb/gutter, sidewalk, street and alley related to this water service project are included within this permit and the applicant is NOT required to obtain a separate ROW Construction permit. 

Detailed information for the water mains in your area is available on the City of Missoula Public Utility Map.

Two water permits are typically required on a new water service, one for the water stub from the main constructed as part of the water main, and one for the connection from the stub to the building, constructed as part of the building permit. If this water permit is related to a building permit, submit the building permit # or address of the project on the application form. This permit can only be purchased by a licensed bonded excavator, not by the property owner. 

If a tap on the main is required, the contractor will need to call Missoula Water at 406-552-6752 and schedule the tap, complete a tap agreement and pay tapping fees.

If a building is being demolished, it is required that the existing water service be abandoned at the main. This must be done before a demolition permit can be issued. However, if the applicant desires to abandon the existing service at the same time as installation of the new service, they should contact Missoula Water to coordinate if the abandonment will take place at this later date.

How to Apply

1. Complete a Public Works Utility Connection Permit Application. Attach site plans and/or quantities sheets if applicable. 
2. Email all required documents to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application. Water development fees may be calculated and apply.
4. Once approved, Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit. Note, all development fees must be paid before the excavator can purchase and be issued a permit.

Storm Water permits (20YY-MSS-STM-#####) are required for all storm water service connections, storm water stubs, repairs, and abandonments.  

If this storm water permit is related to a building permit, submit the building permit # or address of the project on the application form. This permit can only be purchased by a licensed bonded excavator, not by the property owner.

How to Apply

1. Complete a Public Works Utility Connection Permit Application. Attach site plans and/or quantities sheets if applicable. 
2. Email all required documents to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application. 
4. Once approved, Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit. 

Right-of-Way permits (20YY-MSS-RWU-#####) are required for both temporary use of ROWs as well as permanent encroachments within the ROW.  This permit can be applied for by the property owner or the property owner’s representative.

Temporary Use

Examples of temporary uses of the ROW include:

• Sidewalk closures during construction
• Placement of temporary dumpsters or equipment in the ROW
• Temporary traffic control not related to another permit.   

How to Apply for a Temporary Right-of-Way Use

1. Complete a Right-of-Way Use Permit Application and prepare a site plan
2. Submit application to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application.
4. Once approved, Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit.

Permanent Encroachments

Examples of permanent encroachments include:

• Stairs coming off a building that end up in the ROW
• Ramp off a building that ends up in ROW
• grease interceptor lid that ends in ROW.  

How to apply for Permanent Right-of-Way Encroachment

1. Complete a ROW Encroachment Application and prepare a site plan. If this is being reviewed in relation to a building permit, please include the building permit # or address on the application form. 
2. Submit application to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application. 
4. Coordinators will prepare and provide a Right-of-Way Encroachment Agreement to applicant. This agreement must be signed, notarized, and returned to Coordinators before permit issuance.
5. Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit.

Right-of-Way Construction permits (20YY-MSS-RWC-#####) are required for repairs or installation of concrete and asphalt within the ROW, such as street paving, curb/gutter, sidewalk, and alley paving.  A ROW Construction Permit is NOT required for repairs associated with an Excavation, Water, or Sewer Permit.  This permit can only be purchased by a licensed bonded contractor, not by the property owner.

How to Apply 

1. Complete a Permit Application. If this is being reviewed in relation to a building permit, include the building permit # or address on the application form.  If this is being reviewed in relation to a City CIP Project, include City’s PW Project #. 
2. Submit application by emailing coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application.
4. Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit.

Private Paving Permits (20YY-MSS-PAV-#####) are required for paving projects on private property such as driveways or parking facilities that were existing non-paved areas.  A Paving Permit is NOT required for repairs associated with an Excavation, Water, or Sewer Permit. This permit can be applied for by the property owner or the property owner’s representative.

How to Apply

If this is related to a building project, this permit is typically issued at the time of building permit issuance.  You do not need to submit a separate permit application if this is related to a building permit.

1. If this is not related to a building, complete a Permit Application.
2. Submit application by emailing coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application.
4. Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit.

ADA permits (20YY-MSS-ADA-#####) are required for new private property parking lots that have ADA parking spaces and existing parking lots whenever maintenance is performed.  Maintenance is defined as restriping, chip sealing, mill and overlay, and crack-sealing. An additional ZCP (Zoning Compliance Permit) permit may be required for new, expanded or re-configured parking lots.  This permit can be applied for by the property owner or the property owner’s representative.

How to Apply

If this is related to a building project, this permit is typically issued at the time of building permit issuance. You do not need to submit a separate permit application if this is related to a building permit.

1. If this is not related to a building, complete a Permit Application and site plan. See site plan requirements below.
2. Submit application by emailing coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI. 
3. City Engineering will review and approve your application.
4. Permit & Business License Coordinators will work with applicant to pay and issue permit.

  ADA Site plans must include:

• All property lines
• Locations of existing and proposed structures
• Location, dimensions, and number of existing and proposed parking spaces including:
  1. Number of parking spaces and dimensions
  2. Square footage of paved parking area
  3. ADA accessible entrances, ramps, routes, and signage
  4. Number, type, and location of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible parking; including striping and ADA signage placement
• For paving, repaving, or reconstruction, the site plan must also show
  1. Existing and proposed storm water drainage, snow storage area(s), landscaping, lighting
  2. Existing and proposed pedestrian access routes (sidewalks) and driveways on private property, public right-of-way and easements

Stormwater Pollution Prevent Plan (SWPPP) permits (20YY-MSS-SWP-####) are required when any project disturbs an area of 2500 or more square feet of earth/soil.  Review the stormwater permit instructions and fees, access the stormwater site evaluation form, and review best management practices on the Construction BMP's and Stormwater Permits site. 

These are typically related to a building or city project and issued at time of the related permits. You do not need to submit a separate permit application.

Fence permits  (20YY-MSS-FNC-#####) are required when installing any fence greater than 25ft in length. Review fence permit information before applying for your permit online. 

A public works infrastructure application (20YY-MSS-PWI-#####) is required when the requirements of MCPWSS Section 3.2.1.C.2 are met.  Procedures for submitting applications are located on the Public Infrastructure Review Stage Process site.