Economic Development Contacts:
Miles City Area Economic Development
110 Main Street (in courthouse) 406-234-2705  milesecon@midrivers.com and website http://www.4milescitybusiness.com
Other Contact:  Small Business Development Center (Southeastern Montana Development Corporation) http://www.semdc.org
P.O. Box 1935, Colstrip, MT  406-748-2199, sbdc@bhwi.net

City Business License:         
Required:  All firms doing business in Miles City.  This includes contracting that may be already licensed elsewhere.
Where to get Permit:  Treasurer’s window, City Hall   406-234-3462
Fee:     Currently no fee unless business is conducted in Home
Approvals needed:  Planning, Fire, Building Inspection, Sanitarian, Finance (will be routed internally)
Annual Renewal

Home Business/Occupation:
Required:  All businesses run from a home. 
Note:  Will need a City Business License in addition to this Permit.
Where to get Permit:  Public Works/Engineering, City Hall 406-234-6339
Fee:  Initial - (non-refundable) fee of $25.00 for processing and first year or portion thereof.
Thereafter- $10.00/year
Approvals needed:  51% of resident property owners within 250 feet.  (City provides list)
City Council
Renewable:  Yearly on first business day of calendar year.

Building Permit (in City Limits):
Required:  For all new construction of structures greater than 120 square feet in size.  Additions or remodels to existing decks and structures.  (If in doubt whether a permit is need please call the listed number.)
Where to get Permit:  Engineering/Building Inspector.  2nd floor City Hall.  406-234-3493
Fee: Varies with permit.
Approvals needed:  Building Inspection

Building Permits (outside City Limits):
Required:  Generally most commercial buildings and residential exceeding 5 units.  (see Montana State Buildings Code Bureau for exemptions)  Other permits such as electrical, mechanical, or plumbing may be required for certain projects although a building permit is not required.
State Contact: (406) 841-2056 or bsdbcb@mt.gov

 

 

Site Plan Permit for Zoned Areas:
Required:        For development and construction of the following:
3-plex, 4-plex in Residential Zones A, B
4 to 8 units in Residential Zones B, C
5 or more residential units
Parks, playgrounds, parking, and open space in Residential Zone C
All listed uses in GC, LC, I, and MC (may be waived in GC, LC & I if the scope                          of the project would have a minimal impact).
Where to get Permit:  Planning Office, 2nd Floor City Hall   406-234-6339.
Fee:  $100 plus $10 per lot.  (Additional consultant fees may be involved for large projects)
Approvals needed:  Planning Board
Time Frame:  Planning Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month.  Timing will depend upon having complete materials into the Planning Office with enough time for review.  Occasionally a special meeting can be held but is dependant upon current work loads in the Planning Office and availability of the Planning Board members.

Subdividing Within Incorporated Miles City: 
Required:  To sell portion/s of existing lot, to create an RV park, work camp, or to create a mobile home park.
Where to get an Application:  Planning Office, 2nd Floor City Hall   406-234-6339.
Fee:     Minor - $450 plus $10 per lot.  (Less than 5 divisions on original tract since July 1, 1973)
Major - $600 plus $20 per lot.
Mobile Home/RV Parks - $600 plus $25 per unit
(Additional consultant fees may be involved for some projects)

Subdividing Outside Incorporated Miles City: 
Required:  To sell portion/s of existing lot, to create an RV park, or to create a mobile home park, create a work camp, and for condominiums where no zoning exists.
Where to get Permit:  Planning Office, 2nd Floor Courthouse 406-874-3424
Fee: 

Property Line Adjustment:
Contact the City Planning Office, 2nd Floor City Hall   406-234-6339

Floodplain Permit:
Required:  New construction and all additions and other improvements (i.e. decks, sheds) in the FEMA designated floodplain. 
Note:  Construction and placement of structures are not allowed in the floodway portion of the floodplain.  (If in doubt whether construction is allowed or a permit is required, please consult the Floodplain Administrator.)  Floodplain maps can be found in City Hall, a mini-map or “Firmette” of a particular area can be created on line or a map ordered on line from FEMA, http://www.fema.gov/hazard/map/flood.shtm
Where to get Permit:  Engineering/Public Works, 2nd floor City Hall.  Floodplain Administrator, 406-874-8617
Fee:  Ranges from $250 - $1,000 depending upon size and scope of project.

 

Annexation:
To annex a property must be contiguous.  For purposes of annexation even if it is separated by a street or other roadway, an irrigation ditch, drainage ditch, stream, river, or a strip of unplatted land to narrow or to small to be platted it is considered contiguous.  If considering annexation please contact the Miles City Planning Department for information on procedure.
Where to get information:  Planning Office, 2nd Floor City Hall 406-234-6339.

Zoning:
For Miles City and Custer County up to two miles outside the City limits of Miles City check with the Planning Department to determine zoning and/or if the proposed use meets zoning. Contact the Director of Community Services and Planning for requested changes check and information on the process, criteria, and timeline.
Where to get an Application:  Planning Office, 2nd Floor City Hall   406-234-6339.
Rezone Fee:  $200.00.

Montana Department of Transportation
For approach permits:  District Traffic Engineer 406-345-8215
For other encroachment permits:  Maintenance Chief, Miles City Division, 406-233-3606.

Excavation Permit:
Required:  For work impacting street rights of way, (i.e. placement of utilities.)
Where to get Permit:  Engineering.  2nd floor City Hall.  406-234-3493
Fee: $50/every 300 feet (or portion thereof)

Information on Fire Codes:
City Fire Inspector:  Contact 406-234-2235

City/County Environmental issues/Permits, Septic & Wells, and Inspections: 
Questions on septic/wells/environmental permits: Contact County Sanitarian at (406) 874-3490
Cell 406-874-3491      des@midrivers.com
Or Contact Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Helena 406-444-2544 Billings

Utilities:
Mid Rivers Communications (phone, cable & internet)
Miles City  406-234-3336
1-800-452-2288  Internet: www.midrivers.com

Tongue River Electric Coop
406-784-2341  treco@tongueriverelectric.com

Montana-Dakota Utilites Co.  (gas & electric)
1-800-638-3278   Internet: www.montana-dakota.com
400 N. Fourth St., Bismarck, ND 58501
For utilities underground line location dial 811 or 1-800-424-5555