Billings, MT Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection window after notice
- 48 hours
- Concealment inspection notice
- 24 hours ahead
- Temporary connection allowed
- up to 30 days
- Enforcing office
- City of Billings building official
Summary
Billings requires a city inspection within 48 hours of notice before any new or altered building wiring is energized, plus a separate concealment inspection.
Upon the completion of the wiring or alterations or additions to the wiring of any building, it shall be the duty of the person installing such wiring to notify the city. The city shall inspect the installation within forty-eight (48) hours of the time notice is given...the city shall issue...a certificate of inspection authorizing connection to the electrical service...All wires which are to be hidden from view shall be inspected before concealment...giving the city twenty-four (24) hours in which to make the required inspection before such wires are concealed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 66 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under the Building Code chapter, once wiring or wiring alterations are complete, the installer must notify the city, which then has 48 hours (weekends and holidays excepted) to inspect. A passing inspection gets a certificate of inspection and a tag on the service switch clearing it for covering and connection. Wiring that will be hidden, inside walls, for example, needs a separate concealment inspection: the installer must give the city 24 hours' notice before covering it, and on large jobs the city inspects periodically as work progresses. No electric utility may connect service to a building without that certificate, though the city can grant a temporary connection for up to 30 days in an urgent case.
Violations & Fines
Connecting service without a certificate of inspection is unlawful; the city can also order defective wiring disconnected and withhold reconnection until it's made safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cover new wiring before it's inspected?
How fast does Billings inspect after I call?
Can the power company hook up service without an inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
Compare Billings to another location·View the Montana building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.