Property Classifications and Class Codes

Montana currently has 16 property classes. We value each class differently, but all property types within the class are valued the same.

The table below lists all 16 classes, the standard used to determine the value, and how often we determine the value.

Download the 2025 Property Class Codes Table (PDF, 337 KB)

Property Classes

Class Classification Description Valuation Standard Valuation Cycle
1 Net proceeds of mines Net proceeds Every year
2 Gross proceeds of metal mines Gross proceeds Every year
3 Agricultural land Production value Every 2 years
4 Residential, commercial, and industrial land and improvements Market value Every 2 years
5 Pollution control equipment
Independent and rural electric and telephone cooperatives
New and expanding industry
Electrolytic reduction facilities
Research and development firms
Gasohol production property		 Market value Every year
7 Noncentrally assessed utilities Market value Every year
8 Business equipment Market value Every year
9 Pipelines and nonelectric generating property of electric utilities Market value Every year
10 Forest land Production value Every 2 years
12 Airlines and railroads Market value Every year
13 Telecommunication utilities and the electric generation property of electric utilities Market value Every year
14 Renewable energy production and transmission property Market value Every year
15 Carbon dioxide and liquid pipeline property Market value Every year
16 High voltage DC converter property Market value Every year
17 Qualified data centers Market value Every year
18 Green hydrogen facility, pipeline, or storage system Market value Every year

Special Classification Requirements

The following requirements apply to property owners seeking Class 14, 15, 16, or 18 classification, or a tax abatement under 18-2-414, MCA, during construction.

State Prevailing Wages

View the State Prevailing Wage Rates from the Department of Labor and Industry.

Responsibilities of the contracting agent include:

Responsibilities of the contractor and subcontractor include:

  • Posting a prevailing wage rate schedule on the site of the project or work area;
  • Classifying workers in accordance with the craft or trade to be performed and paying the established prevailing wage rate;
  • Keeping a record of hours and wages paid to the workers;
  • Providing payroll records for inspection to the Department of Labor and Industry or the contracting agent upon request; and
  • Ensuring that at least 50% of the workers performing labor on the project are Montana residents, except where prohibited by federal law. (The employer must demonstrate they tried to hire Montana workers and none were available for the positions. This requires proof that an effort was made to recruit Montana workers.)

Responsibilities of the Department of Labor and Industry include:

  • Establishing prevailing wage rates for use on public works contracts;
  • Conducting surveys to determine the prevailing wage rate schedules;
  • Filing and issuing prevailing wage rates;
  • Inspecting and auditing payroll records of contractors; and
  • Investigating complaints of nonpayment of prevailing wage rates

Responsibilities of the Department of Revenue include:

  • Determining the market value of the property;
  • Classifying the property; and
  • Working with the Department of Labor and Industry to verify the standard prevailing rate of wages for heavy construction was paid during construction.

Qualified Data Center (Class 17)

For detailed requirements, valuation information, and applications for Class 17 property, see the Qualified Data Center page.