Bozeman Shower Glass Guide: Safety Rules & Hiring (2026)

Updated October 22, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Federal glass standard	Shower and bathtub doors and enclosures must pass the Category II impact test, regardless of size	16 CFR 1201
Hazardous location	Glass facing a tub or shower with its bottom edge under 60 in. above the standing surface, unless more than 60 in. away horizontally	IRC R308.4.5 (2021)
Marking	Each pane needs a manufacturer's designation (or label) visible after installation	IRC R308.1 (2021)
State codes	Montana adopted the 2024 IRC and IBC, effective September 26, 2026	Montana Building Codes Bureau
Contractor registration	All construction contractors with employees must register with Montana DLI	Montana DLI
Solo contractors	Need an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate or self-elected workers' comp	Montana DLI
Bozeman permits	City Building Division reviews one- and two-family projects under the IRC	City of Bozeman

Is shower glass regulated by federal law?

Yes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's standard for architectural glazing materials, 16 CFR Part 1201, covers both shower doors and enclosures, defined as one or more panels forming all or part of the wall or door of a shower stall, and bathtub doors and enclosures, defined as panels or doors installed on the lip of or immediately around a bathtub. Both are placed in Category II, the more demanding impact test, with no size cutoff. The lighter Category I test only applies to certain storm doors and doors where no single piece of glass is larger than 9 square feet. For a homeowner, that means a shower or tub panel should always be tempered or laminated safety glass from a manufacturer that tests to the standard.

What does the building code say about glass near a tub or shower?

The International Residential Code lists glass in walls or enclosures facing bathtubs, showers and similar wet areas, such as hot tubs and steam rooms, as a hazardous location when the bottom exposed edge of the glass is less than 60 inches above a standing or walking surface. Glass more than 60 inches away horizontally from the water's edge of the tub or shower is exempt. That rule reaches beyond the shower door itself: a window inside a large shower or beside a tub can fall under it. Glass in a hazardous location must be safety glazing.

How do I know the glass is safety glass?

Under IRC R308.1, each pane of glass in a hazardous location must carry a manufacturer's designation that identifies who applied it, the type of glass and the safety glazing standard it meets, and the mark has to stay visible after installation. A label may be used in place of the designation. On shower doors, the mark is usually a small etched or sandblasted stamp in a corner of the panel. If a door or salvaged panel has no mark, don't install it, and ask your installer to point out the mark on new glass before they leave.

Which code edition applies in Montana?

Montana's Building Codes Bureau lists the 2024 editions of the International Residential Code and International Building Code as adopted, with amendments in the Administrative Rules of Montana, Title 24, Chapter 301, effective September 26, 2026. The wording quoted above comes from the 2021 IRC, which was in effect until then. Confirm current requirements with the building department for your address.

Do I need a permit in Bozeman?

The City of Bozeman's Building Division reviews one- and two-family dwellings under the IRC. Its residential remodel checklist covers work on an existing home that doesn't add square footage, and asks for a water service fixture count when fixtures are added or removed. The city publishes a separate list of IRC work exempt from permits. A replacement shower door is a small job, but a full bathroom remodel may need a permit, so check with the city before you start. Outside Bozeman, ask your town or Gallatin County, and in Big Sky confirm which county your home is in.

What should I check about the installer?

Montana requires all construction contractors with employees to register with the Department of Labor and Industry. The department defines a construction contractor as anyone who adds to or takes away from a structure, project, development or improvement attached to real estate, and it suggests homeowners confirm the registration and the contractor's workers' compensation coverage. Search the department's website to check that a registration is in good standing. An independent contractor working alone must have either an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate or self-elected workers' compensation coverage, and the department can fine up to $5,000 per violation for working without one.

Questions to ask before you sign

Are you registered with Montana DLI, or do you hold an exemption certificate?
What glass thickness and type are you quoting, and will every panel carry a safety glazing mark?
Will you measure after tile is complete, and who is responsible if a panel doesn't fit?
Does my wall have solid backing where the hinges go?
Which seals and sweeps are included, and can I order replacements later?
What does the warranty cover on glass, hardware and labor, and for how long?

Common questions

Does a shower door have to be tempered glass?

It has to be safety glazing, which in practice means tempered or laminated glass. Federal rule 16 CFR 1201 requires shower and tub doors and enclosures to pass its Category II impact test regardless of size.

What does Montana require of shower glass installers?

Construction contractors with employees must register with the Department of Labor and Industry, and solo contractors need an exemption certificate or their own workers' comp coverage.

Which building code does Montana use?

Montana's Building Codes Bureau lists the 2024 IRC and IBC as adopted, effective September 26, 2026. Confirm local requirements with your building department.

Bozeman shower glass guide (2026)