Building permits, zoning and land rules in Foster County, North Dakota
47Index Score / 100 #34 of 53 in North Dakota
Unincorporated Foster County, North Dakota requires a county permit before construction, reconstruction, relocation or alteration of a building or structure regulated by the Zoning Commission1. County zoning covers unincorporated land, while a city or lawfully regulated township may keep its own zoning authority23. Septic permits are separate: the local public health unit, here the Foster County Health Office, issues them before work begins45.
At a glance
Building permit
Required before regulated construction, reconstruction, relocation or alteration1
Zoning
County rules apply where Foster County has jurisdiction; city or township authority may differ23
Septic permit
Start with the Foster County Health Office before installation56
RV living
Countywide long-term occupancy rule not confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning7
Tiny home
No specific occupancy rule confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning before buying7
Owner-builder
No construction exemption confirmed; the state provision concerns property tax8
Private well
State appropriation permit applies above 12.5 acre-feet per year9
Floodplain work
A floodplain permit is required before work starts in regulated areas10
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Do you need a building permit in Foster County, North Dakota?
Yes, for work governed by the county ordinance. In unincorporated Foster County, a person planning to construct, reconstruct or relocate a regulated building or structure, or alter one, must obtain a permit from the Zoning Commission before work begins1. Mobile and manufactured homes also need a county permit for placement or relocation11. The county ordinance incorporates the Uniform Building Code edition adopted by the County Commission, while the ordinance controls if the two conflict12. North Dakota's current state building-code framework took effect in 2026; a county that elects to administer a building code must adopt and enforce the state code but may amend it for local needs13. Ask Planning and Zoning which code edition and local amendments apply to the proposed project7.
Who issues Foster County building permits, and how do you reach them?
Foster County Planning and Zoning is the practical first stop for building permits and zoning questions because the board prepares, coordinates and implements the county's development regulations7. Call (701) 652-3060, email kevans@nd.gov or visit the Foster County Courthouse at 1000 5th St N, Carrington, ND 584217. The county page links the Foster County building-permit form and fee schedule7. Under the county fee schedule effective January 1, 2024, a building permit for work valued under $2,000 carries no fee, $2,001 to $20,000 costs $20, and work over $20,000 costs $25 plus $1 for each additional $1,000, up to a $50 maximum; starting regulated work without a permit adds a $50 fee14. The ordinance allows the Zoning Commission to inspect completed regulated work and issue a certificate of occupancy after confirming compliance, but it does not establish a universal inspection schedule1516.
Does Foster County have zoning?
Yes, but first identify the governing jurisdiction. Foster County zoning covers unincorporated territory under the County Commissioners' jurisdiction2. Property within a city or lawfully regulated township's zoning or subdivision authority remains under that local authority unless it has relinquished authority to the county3. In the county agricultural district, non-farm residential lots must be at least 5 acres, and non-farm structures must stand at least 100 feet from the center of a public road and 50 feet from a lot line1718. In the rural residential district, lots need at least 20,000 square feet with public water or sewer and at least 3 acres without it19; structures there must stand at least 100 feet from a right-of-way and 50 feet from a lot line20. In the residential-community district, buildings may cover no more than 40% of a lot21, and a structure taller than 35 feet in that district or the commercial district needs a conditional-use permit unless it is a metal tower such as a windmill or antenna22. Ask Planning and Zoning to confirm the parcel's authority, district and dimensional rules7.
How do septic permits work in Foster County?
Start the septic-permit process with the Foster County Health Office at 881 Main Street, Carrington, ND 58421, or call 701-652-30876. A local public-health permit must be secured before work begins, and the installer must also hold a North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality license423. Foster County-specific inspection requirements could not be confirmed, so ask the Health Office what site evaluation, design and inspection stages apply before hiring an installer. Soil conditions deserve early attention: about 46.1% of Foster County soils rate without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, meaning a standard field should not be assumed parcel-wide24. Off-grid sanitation alternatives also remain unconfirmed; clear the proposed system with the Health Office before designing the home or closing on land6.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Foster County?
Foster County's published materials do not confirm a countywide rule for long-term RV living, temporary camping on private land or tiny-home occupancy. Ask Foster County Planning and Zoning how the parcel's zoning district classifies the proposed dwelling before buying or moving anything onsite7. Do not use North Dakota's state-park camping limit as a private-land rule; that limit applies to state-park campsites and cabins, not private parcels25. A manufactured home is different from an RV or an undefined tiny home: Foster County requires a permit for its placement or relocation11. A new manufactured home used as a residence must also be installed by a state-licensed installer and inspected by a state-licensed inspector26.
Building a home in Foster County: the steps, in order
Call Foster County Planning and Zoning at (701) 652-3060 with the parcel location and proposed use, then confirm the zoning district and approvals that apply7.
Prepare the building application before construction; regulated construction, reconstruction, relocation and alteration require prior county approval1.
Contact the Foster County Health Office at 701-652-3087 to begin the septic-permit process before onsite-system work starts65.
If the parcel is in a regulated floodplain, contact Emergency Management at (701) 652-2252 before starting work and obtain the applicable floodplain permit10.
For a private well using more than 12.5 acre-feet annually, obtain a state water-appropriation permit; qualifying lower-use domestic wells must still be reported9.
After construction, ask Planning and Zoning whether an inspection and certificate of occupancy will be required for the completed building16.
What should you check before buying land in Foster County?
First confirm whether Foster County, a township or a city controls zoning and subdivision review for the parcel3. Where county rules apply, the Zoning Commission administers subdivision regulations, so discuss a proposed land division before ordering a final plat or treating a larger tract as separate building sites27. Dimensional rules vary sharply by district: commercial lots require at least 20,000 square feet with public water and sewer or 1 acre without both services, while industrial lots require at least 25,000 square feet2829. Commercial structures must be at least 100 feet from a public-road right-of-way and 10 feet from a lot line; industrial structures must be at least 100 feet from a public-road right-of-way and 50 feet from a lot line3031. Check soils before assuming a conventional septic field will work, because about 46.1% of county soils rate without severe limitations for that use24. Ask the Health Office about the parcel-specific septic process6, and ask Emergency Management about floodplain exposure10. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.3%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,0923233.
Watch-outs
Do not begin regulated construction before Foster County issues the required permit1.
Do not assume the county is the zoning authority until Planning and Zoning confirms whether the parcel is under county, city or township jurisdiction37.
Long-term RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy and an owner-builder construction exemption could not be confirmed; North Dakota's separate owner-builder provision is only a discretionary property-tax exemption87.
Floodplain work needs separate attention; Foster County Emergency Management provides the floodplain-development permit and can be reached at (701) 652-225210.
Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.
Foster County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score
How Foster County scores
Seclusion89100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1799% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost8196% ev.
Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →
$186kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$2,646Land / acre
19.6"Annual rain
10.1% of yrsSevere drought
2.9 / yr (+2.5)Mid-century 100°F days
18.9 daysMid-century dry spell
1.37" (+5.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.64×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,801Home insurance / yr
0% / yrInsurance growth
0.76%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
231People within 30 min
99,578People within 2 hr
3,627Radius comparison (15 mi)
5.2People / sq mi
15.2%Federal land
98.1%Land at 15% slope or less
46.1%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in Foster County
Inside a city, town or township here, that government usually sets zoning and may issue its own building permits; the county’s rules above cover land outside them.
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Foster County rules
Building permitRequired
Construction, reconstruction, relocation, or alteration of a building or structure regulated by the Foster County Zoning Commission.
The permit must be obtained before proceeding with work.
Mobile homes and manufactured homes require permits for placement and relocation.
“Any person or persons intending to construct or reconstruct or relocate a building or structure or make alteration shall, before proceeding with the work, obtain a permit from the Zoning Commission.”
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
Buildings regulated under the Foster County zoning ordinance.
The Uniform Building Code edition adopted by the County Commission is incorporated into the ordinance.
The ordinance supersedes the Uniform Building Code in the event of conflict.
“The edition of the Uniform Building code as published by the International Conference of Building Officials and adopted by the County Commission, together with any amendments made hereafter are incorporated and made a part of this Ordinance.”
InspectionsLimited
Buildings, structures, and land uses subject to county zoning compliance review.
The ordinance says the Zoning Commission may inspect; it does not establish a universal inspection schedule in the cited passage.
“The Zoning Commission may issue a certificate of occupancy upon inspection of the completed building”
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Buildings, mobile homes, and manufactured homes subject to county zoning approval.
Issuance is discretionary under the ordinance.
A completed-building inspection and compliance with all ordinance provisions and conditions are required before issuance.
“The Zoning Commission may issue a certificate of occupancy upon inspection of the completed building, including placement of mobile homes and manufactured homes and assurance that all provisions and conditions set forth by the authority of this Ordinance are met.”
County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)
County zoning regulations in unincorporated territory under the jurisdiction of the Foster County Commissioners.
The ordinance does not affect property within the zoning or subdivision authority of a lawfully regulated township unless the township relinquishes authority to the County.
The ordinance does not affect property within the zoning or subdivision authority of a city unless the city relinquishes authority to the County under NDCC 40-47 or 40-48.
The ordinance is effective upon adoption by the County Commissioners as provided by NDCC.
“This Ordinance shall affect all unincorporated territory over which the County Commissioners have jurisdiction in Foster County, North Dakota except as indicated below.”
Local zoningVaries (with conditions)
Aggregate local zoning authority within Foster County, including county, township, and city jurisdictions.
The county ordinance applies to unincorporated territory under County Commissioners' jurisdiction, subject to stated exceptions.
Townships with qualifying zoning or subdivision authority and cities with zoning or subdivision authority are excluded unless they relinquish authority to the County.
This claim aggregates local authorities and does not assert that Foster County administers every local ordinance.
“This Ordinance shall not affect any property, real or personal, located within the zoning or subdivision authority of any city of this state”
Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)
Lots in the commercial zone district.
Lots served by public water and sewer have a different minimum from lots not served by public water and sewer.
The ordinance's jurisdictional township and city exceptions apply.
minimum lot size when served by public water and sewer: >= 20000 square feet · minimum lot size when not served by public water and sewer: >= 1 acre
“Minimum lot size shall be 20,000 (twenty thousand) square feet for lots served by public water and sewer”
4 more reviewed findings on this topic
District specific (with conditions) — Non-farm residential and non-residential uses in the Foster County agricultural district.
“For non-farm residential uses the lot area shall not be less than 5 (five) acres”
District specific (with conditions) — Lots in the Foster County rural residential zone.
“Minimum lot size shall be 20,000 (twenty thousand) square feet for lots served by public water or sewer”
District specific (with conditions) — Lots in the Foster County residential community zone.
“The minimum size of a residential community district shall be 40 (forty) acres”
District specific (with conditions) — Lots in the industrial zone district.
“Minimum lot size in the industrial zone shall be 25,000 (twenty‐five) square feet”
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
Non-farm structures in the agricultural district.
The minimum is measured from the center of any public road and from any lot line of any lot of record.
The ordinance's jurisdictional township and city exceptions apply.
minimum setback from center of public road: >= 100 feet (non-farm structures) · minimum setback from lot line: >= 50 feet (of any lot of record; non-farm structures)
“Minimum setback of non‐farm structures shall be 100 (one‐hundred) feet from the center of any public road”
4 more reviewed findings on this topic
District specific (with conditions) — Structures in the rural residential zone district.
“Minimum setback of any structure shall be 100 (one hundred) feet from any right‐of‐way”
District specific (with conditions) — Structures in the residential community zone district.
“Minimum setback of any structure shall be 25 (twenty five) feet from any public right‐of‐way”
District specific (with conditions) — Structures in the commercial zone district.
“Minimum setback of any structure shall be 100 (one hundred) feet from any public road right‐of‐way”
District specific (with conditions) — Structures in the industrial zone district.
“Minimum setback shall be 50 (fifty) feet from any lot line and 100 (one‐hundred) feet from any public road right‐of‐way”
Lot coverageSpecified
Residential-community zoning district.
The cited maximum applies to buildings or other structures on a residential-community lot.
maximum building or structure intensity: <= 40 percent of lot area
“The maximum intensity of buildings or other structures on any lot shall be 40 (forty) percent of the lot area”
Building heightSpecified
Residential-community and commercial zoning districts.
Structures exceeding 35 feet require a conditional use permit in the residential-community and commercial districts.
Metal towers such as windmills and antennas are excepted from that conditional-use threshold.
Juanita Lake residential buildings have a separate 35-foot maximum.
conditional-use threshold: > 35 feet (metal towers such as windmills and antennas)
“Any structure exceeding 35 (thirty five) feet in height shall require a conditional use permit with the exception of metal towers such as windmills and antennas”
Manufactured homesLimited
Placement and occupancy of mobile or manufactured homes in Foster County.
Manufactured homes must comply with the Manufactured Housing and Building Code.
A permit is required for placement and relocation.
A certificate of occupancy may be issued after inspection and compliance.
“All mobile homes and manufactured homes are required to comply with the Manufactured Housing and Building Code and are required to obtain a permit from the Zoning Commission for placement and relocation thereof.”
Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)
Onsite sewage treatment systems in Foster County.
North Dakota DEQ licenses installers statewide.
The local public health unit issues or administers the system permit.
The county building application directs applicants to the Foster County Health Office to begin the septic-permit process.
“All installers must obtain a license from the department, which is issued at no cost, and secure a permit from their local public health unit before beginning work on a system.”
Septic permitRequired
Onsite sewage treatment system installation in Foster County where a local public health permit is required.
The permit must be secured before beginning work.
The county application states a permit process begins through the Foster County Health Office.
“All installers must obtain a license from the department, which is issued at no cost, and secure a permit from their local public health unit before beginning work on a system.”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision regulation administered by the Foster County Zoning Commission within its jurisdiction.
The Zoning Commission administers separate Subdivision Regulations in addition to the zoning ordinance, building code, and housing code.
Township and city subdivision authorities may exclude property from the County ordinance unless authority is relinquished to the County.
The complete subdivision-plat review, approval, and infrastructure standards were not located in the reviewed document.
“The Zoning Commission, a citizen body, appointed by the County Commission, is hereby vested with authority and jurisdiction to administer the Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations”
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Foster County zoning and building permit fees under the County Commission fee schedule effective January 1, 2024.
Building permit fees vary by value of work: under $2,000 no fee; $2,001–$20,000 is $20; over $20,000 is $25 plus $1 for each additional $1,000 up to a maximum of $50.
Failure to obtain a building permit before work is subject to a $50 fee.
Conditional use permits are $250; variances, wind energy facility siting permits, and zoning amendments are $50; road or highway access permits have no fee.
The ordinance states that fees are charged according to resolutions and schedules established by the County Commission.
building permit fee for value under $2,000: 0 USD · building permit fee for value $2,001 to $20,000: 20 USD · building permit base fee for value over $20,000: 25 USD (plus $1 for each additional $1,000 in value, up to a maximum fee of $50) · failure to obtain building permit before work: 50 USD · conditional use permit: 250 USD · variance: 50 USD · wind energy facility siting permit: 50 USD · zoning amendment: 50 USD
“A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING FEE SCHEDULES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2024”
North Dakota rules that apply here
Owner-builder exemptionConditional
An individual who builds that individual’s own single-family residence and seeks the North Dakota builder property-tax exemption.
The exemption is discretionary and requires the governing city or county to pass a resolution allowing it.
For property within a city, the city governing body has jurisdiction; for property outside an incorporated city, the county has jurisdiction.
The property must remain owned by the builder and unoccupied.
The exemption applies for the taxable year in which construction began and the next two taxable years.
The governing body may impose conditions, including limits on the exemption period and dollar value.
A builder may receive the exemption for no more than ten properties in a taxable year within each jurisdiction that approved the exemption.
General taxes and installments of special assessments may not be delinquent.
This is a property-tax exemption, not a building-permit or building-inspection exemption.
exemption period: taxable year in which construction began and next two taxable years · maximum properties per builder per jurisdiction per taxable year: 10 properties
“Whether or not to offer the exemption is at the discretion of the governing body. [...] “Builder” includes an individual who builds that individual’s own residence.”
Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)
City zoning regulations governing the size of residential buildings in North Dakota; the actual minimum, if any, is established by the applicable local zoning ordinance.
The authority is permissive and applies to governing bodies of cities that adopt zoning regulations.
The regulation is subject to North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-21.3.
A local board of adjustment may determine and vary application of the regulations under the local regulations.
“For the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, or the general welfare of the community, the governing body of any city may, subject to the provisions of chapter 54-21.3, regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, and the size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes.”
Septic inspectionRequired
Installation of an onsite wastewater treatment system anywhere in North Dakota
The inspection is conducted by the permitting authority or its authorized representative.
The inspection must occur within one business day after the request for inspection.
Construction, alteration, repair, or extension requires a permit before work begins; regular system maintenance does not require a permit.
The permitting authority is a local public health unit, other political subdivision, or designee.
inspection deadline: 1 business day (After receiving the request for inspection) · permit validity: <= 12 months (From date of issuance)
“Inspection of the installation of a system must be conducted by the permitting authority or an authorized representative of the permitting authority in accordance with paragraph 3 of subdivision c of subsection 2 of North Dakota Century Code section 23-35-02, which requires the inspection to be conducted within one business day of receiving the request for inspection.”
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Off-grid or alternative domestic sewage collection, treatment, and disposal systems in North Dakota
Domestic wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens, laundry fixtures, and other household plumbing must pass through a septic tank or higher level of treatment before discharge into soil.
If underground dispersal is not feasible, the permitting authority may review alternative collection and disposal methods; approval is not automatic.
Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of a system requires a permit before work begins, subject to the regular-maintenance exception.
Wastewater may not be disposed of in a manner that creates a nuisance or causes a system to malfunction or fail.
The applicable permitting authority is a local public health unit, other political subdivision, or designee.
minimum lot size for a new system: >= 1 acre (A variance may be available under Section 33.1-21-01-15)
“Water carried from bathrooms, kitchens, laundry fixtures, and other household plumbing must pass through a septic tank or higher level of treatment prior to its discharge into the soil. If underground dispersal for treatment is not feasible, the permitting authority may review alternative methods of collection and disposal.”
Well permitLimited
Private water-supply wells statewide in North Dakota.
A water appropriation permit from the North Dakota Department of Water Resources is required when annual withdrawal exceeds 12.5 acre-feet.
A permit is not needed for wells drawing less than 12.5 acre-feet per year, according to the official private-well guide.
For domestic, livestock, fish and wildlife, and recreational uses below 12.5 acre-feet per year, the location and capacity of constructed works must be reported to the Department of Water Resources.
Anyone hired to construct, install, or repair a well, pump, or pitless unit must be licensed; individuals may install or repair wells on their own property without a license.
annual water withdrawal threshold: > 12.5 acre-feet per year (Domestic, livestock, fish and wildlife, and recreational uses below this threshold do not require a water appropriation permit but must be reported.) · annual water withdrawal threshold: > 4073137 gallons per year (Equivalent threshold stated by the Department of Water Resources.)
“Domestic, municipal, public, livestock, fish and wildlife, and recreational water use exceeding 12.5 acre-feet (4,073,137 gallons or 96,979 barrels) per year.”
Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Buildings used for agricultural purposes under North Dakota's state building code chapter.
Agricultural purposes include agriculture, farming, ranching, dairying, pasturage, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, and animal and poultry husbandry.
The exemption does not apply when the building is a place of human habitation or is for use by the public.
The exemption is from Chapter 54-21.3; other applicable state, local, zoning, floodplain, septic, or land-use requirements may still apply.
Buildings subject to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act must conform to the 2010 ADA standards notwithstanding the chapter exemption.
“Any building used for agricultural purposes, unless a place of human habitation or for use by the public, is exempt from this chapter.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Available — Land and buildings used for farming, and the normal incidents of farming, when regulated under a county subdivision resolution adopted under N.D.C.C. chapter 11-33.2.
“Additionally, no resolution, regulation, or restriction adopted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall prohibit or prevent the use of land or buildings for farming or any of the normal incidents of farming.”
Driveway accessLimited
Driveway and other access connections involving the North Dakota State Highway System, including controlled-access facilities and driveways within state highway right-of-way.
The North Dakota statute applies specifically to controlled-access facilities; access is available only at designated points and on terms and conditions specified from time to time.
NDDOT maintains access control on the State Highway System, and proposed changes to access require contact with the District Engineer for coordination.
For a driveway on state highway right-of-way, the NDDOT driveway permit must be granted before the permitted work proceeds; failure to construct the drive approach as permitted may result in cancellation and removal or correction at the landowner's expense.
A driveway is not complete until checked and approved by NDDOT; surfacing may be omitted on field entrances if specified in the application.
The driveway may be used only to provide entrance to and exit from the landowner's property.
A driveway or improvement on the highway right-of-way may not be altered or relocated without permission of the NDDOT District Engineer.
NDDOT supervises the location, construction, and maintenance of driveways and may direct future removal, relocation, or maintenance; NDDOT may diminish or expand use as required for highway-traffic safety.
“No driveway, or improvement constructed on the highway right-of-way shall be altered or relocated without permission of the District Engineer of NDDOT.”
Building in a floodplainRequired
Construction or modification of North Dakota water-control structures regulated by the Department of Water Resources.
A DWR construction permit is required when a water-control structure is capable of retaining, diverting, or obstructing more than 50 acre-feet for dikes, other devices, and low-hazard dams.
The threshold is more than 25 acre-feet for medium-hazard and high-hazard dams.
This claim does not establish the separate local floodplain-development-permit requirements administered by local floodplain administrators.
retention/diversion/obstruction threshold for dikes, other devices, and low-hazard dams: > 50 acre-feet · retention/diversion/obstruction threshold for medium- and high-hazard dams: > 25 acre-feet
“A construction permit is required from the DWR if a water control structure is constructed or modified”
Short-term rentalsLimited
Transient lodging rentals held out to the public for a charge in North Dakota.
A lodging license applies to buildings or structures held out to the public where sleeping accommodations are furnished to transient guests for a charge.
The lodging license does not apply to a single structure with five or fewer guest rooms and ten or fewer total occupants.
The lodging license also does not apply to a series or group of buildings or structures containing five or fewer guest rooms and ten or fewer total occupants.
License applications must be submitted at least 30 days before beginning construction or acquiring new ownership; new construction, renovation, or remodeling also requires the Section 3 Plan Review Checklist; after payment, review may take up to 30 calendar days.
guest-room exemption threshold: <= 5 guest rooms or fewer (Only when total occupants are ten or fewer.) · occupant exemption threshold: <= 10 occupants or fewer (Only when the structure has five or fewer guest rooms.)
“The lodging license does not apply to: Single structures with five or fewer guest rooms and ten or fewer total occupants.”
Permit processPartial
Administration and enforcement of the North Dakota State Building Code by eligible city, township, and county jurisdictions.
A city, township, or county that elects to administer and enforce a building code must adopt and enforce the state building code.
Local jurisdictions may amend the state building code to conform to local needs.
A city or township may enforce only within its jurisdictional area; a county may enforce in areas where the state building code is not administered by a city or township.
“Community Services is not involved in the enforcement of the State Building Code. This is the responsibility of jurisdictions that elect to adopt and enforce building codes.”
Campground & park staysLimited
Campsite occupancy in North Dakota state parks.
The limit applies to campsite and cabin occupancy in state parks.
All vehicles entering a state park must have a valid daily or annual vehicle entrance permit, including overnight stays and day visits.
Campers must check in at 4:00 p.m. on the first reservation day and check out by 3:00 p.m. on the last day.
maximum campsite or cabin occupancy: <= 14 nights in any 30-day period
“Campsite and cabin occupancy is limited to no more than 14 nights in any 30-day period.”
county zoning authorityGeneral
North Dakota counties adopting zoning regulations for land and buildings within the county, including unincorporated areas.
The authority is exercised by the board of county commissioners.
Regulation is subject to North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-21.3.
The authority covers the location and use of buildings and structures and the use, condition of use, or occupancy of lands for residence, recreation, and other purposes.
County zoning regulations must be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan.
A county may divide all or any parts of the county into districts, and regulations must be uniform within each district but may differ between districts.
County zoning regulations must account for the statutory limitations governing farming, ranching, and animal feeding operations in section 11-33-02.1.
The board must state the grounds for approving or disapproving zoning amendments or variances, and written findings must be included in the records.
The board must establish zoning requirements for solid waste disposal and incineration facilities before July 1, 1994.
The board may impose tipping or other fees on solid waste management and incineration facilities, but may not impose a fee under this section on an energy conversion facility or coal mining operation that disposes of its waste onsite.
The board may establish institutional controls addressing environmental concerns with the department of environmental quality under section 23.1-10-16.
“For the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, public convenience, general prosperity, and public welfare, the board of county commissioners of any county may regulate and restrict within the county, subject to chapter 54-21.3, the location and the use of buildings and structures and the use, condition of use, or occupancy of lands for residence, recreation, and other purposes.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
General — North Dakota county boards of commissioners adopting zoning regulations, including regulation of unincorporated county land.
“the board of county commissioners of any county may regulate and restrict within the county”
county building authorityGeneral
County authority to administer and enforce the state building code, including the residential code, and to provide for building permits for buildings or structures subject to county zoning in unincorporated areas of North Dakota.
A county that elects to administer and enforce a building code must adopt and enforce the state building code; it may amend that code to conform to local needs.
A county may administer and enforce the state building code only in areas where a city or township does not administer it. A city or township may relinquish that authority to its county under N.D.C.C. § 54-40.5-03; local governments may also agree to joint administration and enforcement or contract for private enforcement.
County permit authority under N.D.C.C. § 11-33-18 applies to a building or structure otherwise subject to the County Zoning chapter.
If the county provides for permits, it must require the applicant to state whether the structure is reasonably anticipated to have a significant transportation-system impact. A structure has such impact if it will average at least twenty-five motor vehicles per day during one year with gross weight exceeding sixty thousand pounds [27215.54 kilograms].
For a structure with significant transportation-system impact, the county must notify the director of the department of transportation and allow an opportunity to comment; director approval is not required.
The county may establish and collect reasonable permit fees, which must be credited to the county general fund.
A county-adopted building code may not require fire sprinklers in a single-family dwelling or a residential building containing no more than two dwelling units.
significant transportation-system impact threshold: >= 25 motor vehicles per day (Over a period of one year; vehicles must have gross weight exceeding sixty thousand pounds [27215.54 kilograms].) · fire-sprinkler requirement: false (A county building code may not require sprinklers in a single-family dwelling or residential building with no more than two dwelling units.)
“The governing body of a city, township, or county that elects to administer and enforce a building code shall adopt and enforce the state building code. However, the state building code may be amended by cities, townships, and counties to conform to local needs.”
Set by your township or city, not the county
In North Dakota, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Foster County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your township or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Accessory dwellings
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.
Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer connection requirements in Foster County.
Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.
Living off-grid in Foster County, North Dakota
Is Foster County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Foster County scores 47/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 231 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (19.6″/yr rainfall).
Do you need a building permit in Foster County, North Dakota?
Foster County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Central Valley Health District. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.
How much does land cost in Foster County, North Dakota?
Land in Foster County runs about $2,646 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Foster County?
Foster County gets about 19.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.1% of years.
How remote is Foster County?
A representative private-land location has about 231 people within a 30-minute drive and 99,578 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.
