Building permits, zoning and land rules in Grant County, North Dakota
50Index Score / 100 #24 of 53 in North Dakota
Grant County, North Dakota requires a building permit for a new home or other covered new structure, including a shed over 79 square feet, applied for through Grant County Planning & Zoning.12 County zoning generally covers unincorporated land, with exceptions for townships that retain zoning authority and cities that exercise extraterritorial zoning.3 Septic permits come from Western Plains Public Health, not the township or city, and North Dakota DEQ licenses installers.4
At a glance
Building permit
Required for a new home and other covered structures1
Zoning
County zoning applies in much of the unincorporated area, subject to township and city exceptions3
Septic
A local public-health permit is required before installation5
RV living
A general private-land occupancy rule could not be confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning2
Tiny home
No distinct tiny-home rule was confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning how the proposed dwelling is classified2
Owner-builder
No exemption from applicable permits was confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning6
Private well
State water-appropriation rules depend on annual withdrawal7
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Do you need a building permit in Grant County, North Dakota?
Yes. Grant County requires a building permit when a new structure is built or moved onto a property.2 Covered projects include a stick-built, modular or manufactured home, a garage, a shed over 79 square feet, a deck, patio, porch, or an addition to an existing structure.1 The county says the farm-residence tax exemption does not remove the building-permit requirement for a new structure.1
Grant County requires applicants to apply at least two months before construction or before moving a structure onto the premises.2 The county publishes a $15.00 building-permit application fee, while its ordinance separately says every permit requires a fee paid to the county auditor without stating one amount for all permit types.28 The county Board of Planning and Zoning must approve building applications before the county mails the permit.2 The county ordinance also applies the current North Dakota-adopted International Building Code to regulated residential, commercial and accessory structures.9
Who issues building permits in Grant County, North Dakota?
Grant County Planning & Zoning is the first stop for county building and zoning applications.2 The department can be reached at 701-460-9124 or albertjason@nd.gov, and the county office address is 106 2nd Ave NE, Carson, North Dakota, 58529.2 The department says all building applications go to the Grant County Board of Planning and Zoning for approval.2
The county’s published process says an approved permit is mailed to the applicant and a denied applicant is contacted with an explanation.2 A special or conditional use follows a longer path: the Planning Commission holds a public hearing after at least two weeks of published notice and recommends action, while the County Commission makes the final decision.10 We could not confirm a general county inspection or certificate-of-occupancy process, so ask Planning & Zoning what inspections and final approvals apply to the particular project.2
Does Grant County, North Dakota have zoning?
Grant County zoning applies to unincorporated areas except townships that retained zoning power and incorporated cities that exercise extraterritorial zoning.3 That exception makes the parcel’s governing jurisdiction the first zoning question: confirm with Grant County Planning & Zoning whether the county, a township or a city controls the site.11
Land and buildings used exclusively for agriculture are generally outside the county regulations, but road setbacks and floodplain regulations still apply.12 The state building-code exemption for an agricultural building also does not cover a place of human habitation or a building used by the public.13 In the R-1 Residential Low-Density District, a lot without public water and sewer needs 43,560 square feet for a single-family dwelling, and the front setback is 50 feet outside subdivisions with a 10-foot side-yard minimum.1415 In the Agricultural District, a single-family nonfarm home is conditionally allowed on lots of at least five acres unless the lot is part of an existing recorded plat.16 Accessory buildings subject to the county standard are limited to 35 feet in height, must be smaller than the principal building and must sit at least 25 feet from lot lines.17 Accessory living quarters in R-1 and manufactured homes in R-2 each need a conditional-use permit.1819 We could not confirm a general minimum dwelling floor area, so ask Grant County Planning & Zoning before choosing a small-house plan.2
How do septic permits work in Grant County, North Dakota?
Western Plains Public Health is Grant County’s local authority for onsite septic permits, while the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality licenses system installers.204 The local public-health permit must be secured before work begins, and local codes still apply.4 Contact Environmental Health at 701.667.3370 or eh@westernplainsph.org before finalizing a house site or hiring excavation work.21
Only 11.6% of mapped county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.22 That soil rating makes early site evaluation especially useful, but it does not decide whether an individual parcel can support a system.22 In subdivision developments, Grant County prohibits privies, outhouses and cesspools and requires connection to an onsite sewage system approved by the County Commission.23 A septic permit to construct is valid for 12 months from issuance, and a new system's soil treatment area may not be covered until it has been inspected unless prior approval was given.524 A septic permit is refused when a public sewer is available within 200 feet of the property line.25 Ask Western Plains Public Health to schedule the inspection.21
Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Grant County, North Dakota?
We could not confirm a general Grant County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV occupancy on private land.2 We could not confirm a distinct countywide rule for tiny homes either.2 Ask Planning & Zoning which zoning authority controls the parcel and how that authority classifies the proposed unit before buying land or placing utilities.11
A tiny home treated as a new dwelling or other new structure would fall within the county’s stated building-permit rule where county authority applies.1 In the R-1 Residential Low-Density District, single-family dwellings include modular and multi-section manufactured homes, subject to the district and other ordinance requirements.26 New manufactured homes installed for residential use in North Dakota must use a state-licensed installer and receive inspection by a state-licensed inspector.27 A recreational park or campground in the Recreational District needs a conditional-use permit, is capped at five acres, and may hold at most fifteen trailers per gross acre.28 An RV in a mapped flood-hazard zone must be elevated and anchored or stay under 180 consecutive days and remain licensed and highway ready.29 State-park camping limits do not answer the private-land occupancy question.30
Building a home in Grant County, North Dakota: steps in order
Confirm whether Grant County, a township or a city administers zoning for the parcel, because the county ordinance contains township and city exceptions.3
Verify that the lot abuts a dedicated public road or has a recorded easement to one, as required for a dwelling lot.31
Discuss the site and project classification with Grant County Planning & Zoning, then apply at least two months before construction or moving a structure onto the property.2
Submit the building application and published $15.00 fee for Board of Planning and Zoning review; ask the department to confirm any fee for another permit type.28
Contact Western Plains Public Health and secure the local septic permit before onsite-system work begins; use a North Dakota DEQ-licensed installer.4
Check the parcel’s flood map, because development in a special flood hazard area requires a development permit before construction begins.32
Ask Planning & Zoning which inspections or final approvals apply, because a general county inspection sequence was not confirmed.2
What should you check before buying land in Grant County?
Confirm the zoning authority, permitted use and road access before closing, because county zoning has township and city exceptions and a dwelling needs public-road frontage or a recorded access easement.331 Check the FEMA flood map and ask Grant County Planning & Zoning whether the planned work lies in a special flood hazard area requiring a development permit.32
Arrange an early septic discussion because only 11.6% of mapped soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field.22 For a private well, North Dakota requires a water-appropriation permit when annual withdrawal exceeds 12.5 acre-feet, while specified uses below that threshold must still be reported to the Department of Water Resources.7 Grant County’s effective property-tax rate is 1%, and the median annual property-tax bill is $841, useful context rather than a parcel-specific estimate.3334
Watch-outs
County zoning does not necessarily control every parcel: a township may retain zoning power, and a city may exercise extraterritorial zoning.3
Do not begin septic work before obtaining the local public-health permit and confirming that the installer holds the required state license.4
A special flood hazard area requires a development permit before construction or development begins.32
Grant County has not provided a confirmed general answer for long-term RV living, so ask Planning & Zoning before relying on an RV as a residence.2
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.
Grant County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score
How Grant County scores
Seclusion87100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency21100% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability46100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost8096% 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 →
$86kTypical home
1%Property tax
$1,382Land / acre
17.7"Annual rain
7.8% of yrsSevere drought
7.2 / yr (+6)Mid-century 100°F days
22.4 daysMid-century dry spell
1.19" (+5.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.42×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,939Home insurance / yr
3.2% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
1,156Radius comparison (15 mi)
1.3People / sq mi
1.1%Federal land
90.1%Land at 15% slope or less
11.6%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in Grant 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.
Carson · Elgin · Elm Township · Fisher Township · Freda Township · Howe Township · Lark Township · Leipzig Township · Leith · Minnie Township · New Leipzig · Pretty Rock Township · Raleigh Township · Rock Township · Winona Township
Answers from the rulebook for Grant County
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Grant County rules
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
Residential and commercial buildings and accessory structures regulated by Grant County zoning.
The county ordinance incorporates the most current North Dakota-adopted International Building Code; state law requires jurisdictions electing to enforce building codes to adopt and enforce the State Building Code.
“All buildings or structures or parts of structures used for residential or commercial purposes, and accessory structures thereto shall be designed and constructed, altered, equipped, and maintained in accordance with the most current version of the International Building Code (IBC) as adopted in North Dakota”
InspectionsLimited
County zoning-compliance inspection of land or structures.
This source does not establish a general construction-stage building inspection program.
“Make inspection of land and/or structures to determine compliance with the provisions of this ordinance and investigate reports of noncompliance received from the public.”
County-wide zoningPresent
Grant County zoning regulations in unincorporated areas, subject to the ordinance's township and incorporated-city exceptions.
The ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas except townships retaining zoning authority and incorporated cities that have not elected extraterritorial zoning.
“These regulations shall apply to all unincorporated areas of Grant County, except those townships which have not by resolution relinquished the power to enact zoning regulations to the county, and those incorporated cities which have not elected to exercise extraterritorial zoning as authorized by N.D.C.C. Section 40-47-01.1 and 40-48-18.”
Local zoningVaries (with conditions)
Aggregate countywide local-zoning status, including county zoning in unincorporated areas and separate township or municipal authority where retained or exercised.
The conclusion aggregates township and municipal zoning authorities and does not imply that Grant County administers every local ordinance.
“These regulations shall apply to all unincorporated areas of Grant County, except those townships which have not by resolution relinquished the power to enact zoning regulations to the county, and those incorporated cities which have not elected to exercise extraterritorial zoning as authorized by N.D.C.C. Section 40-47-01.1 and 40-48-18.”
Zoning districtsPublished
County zoning districts and official zoning map.
The ordinance states that the map is filed with the County Auditor and includes adoption and amendment dates.
“The zoning districts as described in this ordinance shall be mapped. Said map shall be known as the Official County Zoning Map, shall have attached or be filed with all materials necessary for the interpretation of the map, shall have the date of adoption and date of each amendment to the map printed on the map, and shall be on file in the office of the County Auditor.”
Minimum lot sizeSpecified
Residential uses in the Agricultural District.
Single-family dwelling units in residential subdivisions may be allowed on lots of at least one acre.
Single-family nonfarm residential units and accessory structures are conditionally allowed on lots of at least five acres unless the lots are part of an existing recorded plat.
minimum lot size: >= 1 acre (Single-family dwelling units in residential subdivisions.) · minimum lot size: >= 5 acres (Single-family nonfarm residential units and accessory buildings or structures unless part of an existing recorded plat.)
“Agricultural District lots shall be a minimum of five (5) acres for non-farm homes and one (1) acre for single family dwelling units, including modular and manufactured homes, in residential subdivisions. This section does not apply to previously platted subdivisions.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
District specific (with conditions) — Single-family and duplex residential lots in the R-1 district in unincorporated Grant County.
“The minimum lot area for a single-family dwelling, in areas where public water and sewer are not available, shall be forty-three thousand five hundred sixty (43,560) square feet provided that the site meets the minimum standards for on-site sewage disposal by North Dakota State Health Department.”
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
Residential District building setbacks under the county's general area requirements in unincorporated Grant County.
The 25-foot rear setback applies where soil absorption sewage systems (septic tanks) are not needed.
Sheds, garages, and non-residential structures must comply with front setbacks and may be 15 feet from side and/or rear lot lines.
The ordinance states that building setbacks are measured from the face of the building to the lot line.
minimum lot size: >= 6500 square feet · front building setback: >= 25 feet · side building setback: >= 10 feet · rear building setback: >= 25 feet (Where soil absorption sewage systems are not needed.) · shed, garage, or non-residential side/rear setback: >= 15 feet (Front-lot setback compliance remains required.)
“Residential Districts shall have a minimum lot size of six thousand five hundred (6,500) square feet and shall have residential building front lot setbacks of not less than twenty-five (25) feet, side lot setbacks of not less than ten (10) feet, and rear lot setbacks of not less than twenty-five (25) feet from the lot line where soil absorption sewage systems (septic tanks) are not needed.”
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
District specific (with conditions) — Front and side-yard setbacks in the R-1 district in unincorporated Grant County.
“Each front yard must have a setback from the property line of minimum depth of: a) In subdivisions – twenty-five (25) feet from the property line. b) Otherwise –fifty (50) feet from the property line. 2) Each side yard must have a minimum width of ten (10) feet.”
District specific (with conditions) — Permitted mobile homes on purchased lots and mobile-home parks in unincorporated Grant County.
“For permitted mobile homes on purchased lots, lots shall be a minimum of six thousand (6,000) square feet, and the mobile home shall have front, side, and rear lot setbacks of twenty-five (25), ten (10), and twenty-five (25) feet respectively.”
“The minimum setback for structures from the center line of county and township roads shall be one hundred fifty (150) feet.”
Building heightSpecified
Accessory buildings in county residential-development provisions.
The 35-foot limit is stated for accessory buildings.
accessory building height: <= 35 feet
“Accessory buildings shall be smaller than the principal building and shall be limited to thirty-five (35) feet in height and be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from all lot lines.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Specified — Accessory buildings and other structures subject to Grant County zoning standards.
“Accessory buildings shall be smaller than the principal building and shall be limited to thirty-five (35) feet in height and be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from all lot lines.”
Living in an RVLimited
Recreational vehicles placed on sites in A1-30, AH, and AE flood-hazard zones.
The RV must either be elevated and anchored to manufactured-home standards, or remain on site for less than 180 consecutive days and be fully licensed and highway ready.
maximum consecutive days: < 180 days (The alternative to elevation and anchoring applies in A1-30, AH, and AE Zones.)
“In A1-30, AH, and AE Zones, all recreational vehicles to be placed on a site must (i) be elevated and anchored to meet the requirements in 3.14.2-3; OR (ii) be on the site for less than 180 consecutive days; AND (iii) be fully licensed and highway ready”
Camping on your landLimited
Recreational parks, tourist camps, and trailer camps in the Recreational District.
A conditional-use permit is required.
Campground maximum area is five acres.
Maximum density is fifteen recreational trailers per gross acre.
Site-plan, sanitary-facility, water-supply, state-health, and County Commission ingress/egress requirements apply.
maximum campground area: <= 5 acres · maximum recreational trailers: <= 15 per gross acre
“Recreational parks, tourist and trailer camps. The applicant shall meet the following requirements to obtain a permit: a) The maximum area for the campground shall be five (5) acres and the maximum number of recreational trailers shall be fifteen (15) units per gross acre.”
Manufactured homesLimited
Manufactured or modular homes in county zoning districts, including flood-hazard areas.
Manufactured homes are listed as allowed in specified districts, while flood-hazard zones impose elevation and anchoring requirements.
Residential-district and agricultural-district conditions apply.
flood elevation: >= 1 foot above base flood elevation (Applicable to specified A1-30, AH, and AE sites.)
“Require all manufactured homes placed or substantially improved within Zones A 1-30, AH, or AE [...] be elevated on a permanent foundation so the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated one foot above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist floatation, collapse, and lateral movement.”
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
Allowed — Single-family dwellings, including modular and multi-section manufactured homes, in the R-1 Residential Low-Density District.
“Single family dwellings including modular and multi-section manufactured homes.”
Allowed — Single-family dwellings including modular and multi-section manufactured homes in the Residential Low-Density District (R-1) in unincorporated Grant County.
“3.6.2.1 Allowed Uses 1) Single family dwellings including modular and multi-section manufactured homes.”
Limited — Manufactured homes in the Residential Medium-Density District (R-2) in unincorporated Grant County.
Accessory living quarters, described as apartments, in the Residential Low-Density District (R-1) in unincorporated Grant County.
Accessory living quarters (apartments) are conditionally allowed in R-1.
A conditional-use permit is required before physical action on a conditionally allowed use.
A fee is required for all permits and is paid to the county auditor.
The ordinance does not use the term accessory dwelling unit in this provision.
“3.6.2.2 Conditionally Allowed Uses [...] 9) Accessory living quarters (apartments).”
Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)
Onsite sewage treatment systems in Grant County, which is listed among the counties served by Western Plains Public Health; North Dakota DEQ licenses installers while local public health units issue permits.
North Dakota DEQ administers installer licensing.
A local public health unit permit is required before installation begins.
Installers must follow applicable local codes.
“To obtain Installer License - Contact: deq@nd.gov or call 701-328-5210. [...] Services Provided In Grant, Mercer, Morton, Oliver and Sioux Counties”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Local (with conditions) — Environmental-health services for Grant County provided through Western Plains Public Health.
“Services Provided In Grant, Mercer, Morton, Oliver and Sioux Counties”
Septic permitRequired
Installation, alteration, repair, or extension of an individual onsite sewage treatment system within the applicable Western Plains Public Health jurisdiction.
The permit must be obtained before work begins.
The permit is issued by the adopting authority within the jurisdiction where work occurs.
The permit fee is set by the adopting authority.
A permit to construct is valid for 12 months from issuance; if construction has not started within 12 months, a current application must be resubmitted.
A permit must be refused where public sewer is available within 200 feet of the property line.
permit validity: 12 months (from date of issuance) · public sewer distance: <= 200 feet (individual sewage treatment permit must be refused when public sewer is available within this distance)
“No person, firm, or corporation shall install, alter, repair, or extend any individual OSTS without first obtaining a permit from the adopting authority.”
Septic inspectionRequired
Newly constructed onsite sewage treatment systems in the applicable Western Plains Public Health jurisdiction.
The adopting authority or designee may perform inspections on newly constructed systems.
No part of the soil treatment area may be covered until inspection unless prior approval has been granted.
The owner or occupant must provide the environmental health practitioner reasonable access.
Defects must be corrected before the system is placed in service.
“The adopting authority or its designee may perform inspections on all newly constructed OSTS. No part of the soil treatment area system shall be covered until it has been inspected, unless prior approval has been granted.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Limited — Newly constructed onsite sewage treatment systems under the Western Plains onsite-treatment code.
“The adopting authority or its designee may perform inspections on all newly constructed OSTS. No part of the soil treatment area system shall be covered until it has been inspected, unless prior approval has been granted.”
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Privies, outhouses, and cesspools in subdivision developments.
The prohibition is expressly limited to subdivision developments.
Other onsite systems remain subject to approval and septic requirements.
“The construction and use of privies, outhouses, and cesspools in subdivision developments in the county is prohibited.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Limited — Private onsite sewage disposal and sanitation systems in the applicable Western Plains Public Health jurisdiction.
“Water carried from bathrooms, kitchens, laundry fixtures, and other household plumbing shall pass through a septic tank prior to its discharge into the soil. Where underground disposal for treatment is not feasible, consideration will be given to special methods of collection and disposal.”
Mandatory utility hookupConditional
Individual onsite sewage treatment systems in the applicable Western Plains Public Health jurisdiction.
An individual onsite sewage treatment permit must be refused when a public sewer system is available within 200 feet of the property line.
“The adopting authority shall refuse to grant a permit for the construction of an individual sewage treatment system where a public sewer system is available within 200 feet of the property line.”
Agricultural exemptionConditional
Land and buildings used exclusively for agriculture in Grant County.
The exemption does not apply to road setbacks or floodplain regulations.
“Other than as they relate to setbacks from roads and floodplain regulations, these regulations shall not apply to land and buildings used exclusively for agriculture.”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision platting and development in Grant County.
Final plats require Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and County Commission approval.
The final plat must be filed with the County Recorder before lots may be sold.
Subdivision-specific water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, road, and floodplain requirements may apply.
“After receiving recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the County Commission shall review the recommendations and the final plat and approve or disapprove the proposed subdivision.”
Driveway accessRequired
Residential lots and conditional uses requiring access to public roads.
A dwelling lot must abut a dedicated public road or have a recorded easement to one.
Conditional uses must provide adequate ingress and egress without adverse effects on adjoining properties or public-street congestion.
“no dwelling unit shall be built on a lot which does not abut a dedicated public road or have a recorded easement for access to a dedicated public road.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — Residential dwelling access in Grant County.
“No dwelling unit shall be built on a lot which does not abut a dedicated public road or have a recorded easement for access to a dedicated public road.”
Building in a floodplainRequired
Construction or development within a special flood-hazard area.
A Grant County Planning and Zoning Board development permit is required before construction or development begins.
Applications may require scaled plans, elevations, floodproofing information, and watercourse-alteration details.
Floodway encroachments require professional certification showing no increase in flood levels.
Additional federal, state, or local permits may be required.
“A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any special flood hazard area established in Section 3.12.2.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — Construction, placement, extension, conversion, or alteration of structures or land in Grant County special flood hazard areas.
“A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any special flood hazard area established in Section 3.12.2.”
Permit feesVariable (with conditions)
County zoning permits, especially conditional-use permits.
A fee is required for all permits.
The fee is paid to the county auditor and deposited in the county general fund.
No dollar amount or current fee schedule was located in the ordinance.
“A fee is required for all permits. Said fee shall be paid to the county auditor. All fee payments shall be deposited in the county general fund.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Variable (with conditions) — Onsite sewage treatment system permit fees in the applicable Western Plains Public Health jurisdiction.
“The fee for the permit shall be set by the adopting authority.”
Permit processPartial
Conditional-use permit process under the county zoning ordinance.
Planning Commission holds a public hearing.
Notice must be published at least two weeks before the hearing.
The Planning Commission recommends approval, denial, modification, or conditions.
The County Commission approves or denies; the Planning Commission issues the permit upon approval.
Evidence of compliance is required before a certificate of compliance is issued.
hearing notice lead time: >= 2 weeks
“The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on any request for a conditional uses permit, a notice of which shall be published at least two weeks prior to the hearing in the official newspaper of the county.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Published (with conditions) — Conditional-use and related zoning-permit procedures under the Grant County zoning ordinance.
“The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on any request for a conditional uses permit, a notice of which shall be published at least two weeks prior to the hearing in the official newspaper of the county.”
Building permitRequired
A building permit is required for any new structure (home, garage, shed over 79 sq ft, deck, patio); even farm-residence tax-exempt properties must obtain one.
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.”
Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)
Local city zoning regulations governing the percentage of a lot that may be occupied.
The actual lot-coverage percentage is established by the applicable local zoning regulation.
The authority is permissive and applies to city zoning regulations.
The regulation is subject to chapter 54-21.3.
“the percentage of lot that may be occupied”
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.”
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.”
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 Grant 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.
Tiny homes
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.
Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Grant 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 Grant County, North Dakota
Is Grant County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Grant County scores 50/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,156 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (17.7″/yr rainfall).
Do you need a building permit in Grant County, North Dakota?
Grant County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Western Plains Public Health. 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.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Grant County?
Living in an RV on your own land in Grant County is limited to specific cases: Recreational vehicles placed on sites in A1-30, AH, and AE flood-hazard zones. The RV must either be elevated and anchored to manufactured-home standards, or remain on site for less than 180 consecutive days and be fully licensed and highway ready. Confirm with the county before relying on it.
How much does land cost in Grant County, North Dakota?
Land in Grant County runs about $1,382 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Grant County?
Grant County gets about 17.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 7.8% of years.
How remote is Grant County?
A typical private-land location has about 1,156 people within 15 miles and 230,557 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.
