All work performed within the public right of way of the City of Kalispell requires the issuance of a Public Right-of-Way Permit. This permit is issued and administered by the Public Works Department.

Public Right-of-Way Permits include, but are not limited to, utility installation, fill and/or excavation, sewer/water taps, sidewalk, curb, gutter and driveway access construction. Also included are uses of the Public Right-of-Way that may create a hazard such as scaffolding, material or equipment storage, crane operations, sandblasting, painting, etc… All work performed must be in compliance with the City Standards for Design and Construction.

Prior to issuance of the permit the applicant must provide written proof of insurance and bonding. Written requirements for excavation within the public right of way are available in the Public Works Office.

Work conducted in the right of way of state highway or county roads is subject to the approval by the Montana Department of Transportation- (755-5717) or the Flathead County Road Department (758-5790).

An Air Quality Construction/Demolition Permit is required prior to construction if the area to be disturbed is greater than 4,000 square feet. The permit for construction activity is issued and administered by the Public Works Department.

Demolition permits are issued and administered by the Planning, Economic and Community Development Department located at 411 1st Ave W. (758-7730). All conditions of the permit shall comply with Ordinance 1139.

Stormwater Management is increasingly important for the purpose of maintaining clean water and preserving waterbodies such as streams, rivers, and lakes. The City of Kalispell’s Stormwater Management Ordinance 1600 went into effect May 2, 2007, as mandated under the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Montana Pollution Discharge Elimination (MPDES) regulation. These regulations are designed to protect water quality in waterbodies by reducing the amount of pollutants that stormwater collects and carries into storm conveyance systems and then onto streams, rivers, and lakes.

City Stormwater Management Permits are required for all land disturbances within the City of Kalispell. This permit is issued and administered by the Public Works Department. The requirements for the permit are established by land disturbance size: (1) LESS than one acre, and (2) GREATER than and equal to one acre. The documents outlining the permit requirements and the permit forms are listed by permit requirement below.

1. Emergencies posing an immediate danger to life or property, or substantial flood or fire hazards.
2. Any activity where the total volume of material disturbed, stored, disposed of or used as fill does not exceed five (5) cubic yards or the area disturbed does not exceed one thousand (1000) square feet provided it does not obstruct a watercourse, and is not located in a floodplain.