Frequently Asked Questions

The County recently adopted new Development Regulations and a new Development Permitting Process. View Stillwater County Final Zoning and Development Regulations (PDF).

Septic information can be obtained by calling the Environmental Health Department at 406-322-8055

A Conditional Use Permit (PDF) is required for all new multi-family, planned unit developments, and commercial or industrial development.  The Planning Office will then route the submitted form(s) to the internal permitting departments for comment and instructions to follow up if necessary with the County Sanitarian, Floodplain Administrator in Environmental Health, GIS/ Rural Addressing, and Road and Bridge Department.  Please contact the State Building Code Bureau for all other building questions (electrical, plumbing, snow loads, etc.) at 406-841-2056.

Work Camps are facilities that are for the exclusive use of the employees and the employee’s family members of the person or company that owns or operates the facilities. Please fill out the DPHHS Work Camp Review Plan (PDF). Please also submit a completed Conditional Use Permit (PDF) to the Planning Office. If the proposed facility will be serving other individuals, you must complete a plan review for trailer courts, campgrounds, hotels, motels, and/or boarding houses.

Please refer to the Stillwater County 2022 Subdivision Regulations (PDF).

There are no setback regulations in Stillwater County for residential properties however, it is always in the property owner’s best interest to provide a setback, even if only minimal, from the property line to any structure.  There is a minimum 10-foot setback for a Conditional Use Permit (PDF) for all new multi-family, planned unit developments, commercial or industrial development. View Stillwater County Final Zoning and Development Regulations (PDF).

First, you’ll need to contact an engineer or surveyor. By contacting the Planning department you can request a list of consultants who typically do work in the area. Once you’ve contacted them you will need to develop a concept. Once a concept has been finalized, contact the Planning Office to schedule a pre-application meeting. At that time all details, forms applications, and processes will be identified based on the proposed concept.

No, typically COS’s are reviewed as exempt subdivisions. This means only staff review is required for filing.

These are what are called exempt subdivisions. These require only staff review. There is a $200 review fee for all surveys submitted.

Please contact the necessary permitting offices in Stillwater County to see what permits are required:

• County Sanitarian and Floodplain Administrator in Environmental Health
• GIS/ Rural Addressing
• Road and Bridge Department

No. Lots are not conveyable until a subdivision has reached Final Plat. In order to achieve Final Plat, all conditions of approval and improvements must be installed.

No. The County does not have the authority to enforce Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. These are private restrictions between the subdivision and its property owners.

Please contact the Stillwater County Certified Floodplain Manager at 406-322-8064 for more information or visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center online.