Working in partnership with Helena citizens, businesses and organizations, the city of Helena Community Development Department provides professional staff assistance in planning, development, and construction to maintain public health, safety, and welfare and create an attractive and sustainable community for all to live, work, and play.
The Community Development Department consists of two divisions: Building and Planning.
The Building Division conducts building and site plan reviews, issues building permits, and provides inspection services at construction sites within the city limits to insure the public's health, safety, and welfare.
The Planning Division assists members of the community with zoning, land use and development questions. Staff also provides information and assistance to developers, the business community and the public relating to any planning, zoning, land use, or development matter.
The Community Development Department's office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you have any questions or comments for the Community Development Department, in addition to calling and emailing us, you can a submit them through our Question and Comment form. Please note, if you have a community decay complaint, please use the Community Decay Complaint form.
Helena Forward Land Use Plan
Interactive Development Explorer
Interactive maps and data, managed by the Community Development Department, related to residential and commercial development, land use, zoning, urban renewal, and infrastructure projects.
Explore it Here!
Civic Access is Here
The City of Helena is pleased to introduce a new Licensing and Permitting system that will allow residents to take care of more City-related business online. The new system features a public-facing online portal called Civic Access. Within Civic Access, you can:
- Apply for and manage Planning and Zoning cases
- Apply for and manage Building related permits
- Apply for various Business, Liquor and Pet Licenses
- Pay invoices
- Schedule inspections
- And more
Visit Civic Access
We have detailed user guides available to help you navigate the new system. These guides are available at www.helenamt.gov/business/civic-access/.