Bolthole Index

Logan County, North Dakota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Logan County, North Dakota

40Index Score / 100
#52 of 53 in North Dakota

Unincorporated Logan County, North Dakota requires a building permit before covered construction, reconstruction, relocation, alteration or structural changes begin1. The Logan County Auditor serves as the Code Administrator, and a completed building must be inspected before a certificate of occupancy is issued23. Septic installation requires a local public-health permit as well as a state installer license4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before covered construction, relocation, alteration or structural work1
Zoning
County rules apply where no city or township exercises its own zoning authority5
Permit office
Logan County Auditor / Code Administrator2
Septic permit
Local permit required; installer also needs a state license4
RV living
Private RV occupancy is unconfirmed; campgrounds are limited by zoning district and conditional-use review62
Tiny home
No express tiny-home rule confirmed; building permit, zoning and occupancy review still apply178
Owner-builder
No permit or inspection exemption confirmed; a separate property-tax exemption may be available9102
Wells
State appropriation permit required only above 12.5 acre-feet per year11

Who to call

Building permits

Logan County Auditor / Code Administrator

County building permits, variance applications, zoning administration and initial questions about setbacks and county-road approaches

(701) 754-2425

jkristiansen@nd.gov

301 Broadway, Napoleon, ND 58561

Septic permits

Central Valley Health District Environmental Health

On-site sewage treatment system permits and inspections

701-252-8130, ext. 9

122 2nd St NW, Jamestown, ND 58401

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Logan County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Logan County, North Dakota?

Yes. In unincorporated areas administered by Logan County, a building permit is required before covered construction, reconstruction, relocation, alteration or structural changes begin1. Mobile and manufactured homes also need county permits for placement or relocation1. The Zoning Commission inspects a completed building before a certificate of occupancy is issued3. The county ordinance incorporates a building code adopted by the County Commission, with the zoning ordinance controlling if the two conflict12. North Dakota's current state code framework took effect in 2026, but state Community Services does not itself enforce the code; enforcement belongs to jurisdictions that elect to administer it1314.

Who issues Logan County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The Logan County Auditor is the county's Code Administrator and makes county building permits and variance applications available2. Contact the office at (701) 754-2425 or jkristiansen@nd.gov, or visit 301 Broadway, Napoleon, ND 585612. Building-permit applications go to the County Code Administrator, while uses other than permitted uses go to the Zoning Commission15. An application must include the legal description, lot map, building dimensions and location, building type and materials, probable cost, and any further plans the Code Administrator requests1. A denial must be communicated within seven days, after which the applicant may request a hearing, reapply or appeal a Zoning Commission denial to a court15. The published schedule charges $50 for new construction valued from $2,000 through $10,000, $100 from $10,001 through $100,000, and $300 above $100,00016.

Does Logan County have zoning?

Logan County zoning covers unincorporated territory under county jurisdiction, but a city or township that lawfully exercises its own zoning or subdivision authority controls its area unless it relinquishes that authority to the county5. The county ordinance establishes agricultural, rural residential, residential community, commercial, industrial, and recreation/open-space districts, and the Code Administrator keeps the zoning map17. Rules vary by district: a rural-residential lot without public water or sewer is set at one acre, while an agricultural non-farm residential lot is set at five acres18. Rural Residential structures have a 100-foot right-of-way setback and a 50-foot lot-line setback19. Maximum building intensity is 30% in Rural Residential and 40% in Residential Community20. Structures over 35 feet in Rural Residential generally need conditional-use review21. Confirm the parcel's governing jurisdiction and mapped district with the Code Administrator before choosing a house site5172.

How do septic permits work in Logan County?

A Logan County septic installer must hold a North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality license and secure a permit from the local public health unit before beginning work4. Central Valley Health District's Environmental Health Department permits onsite sewage treatment systems and offers inspections of existing systems22. Call 701-252-8130, ext. 9 before fixing the building site or scheduling excavation22. About 52.1% of Logan County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so nearly half the mapped soils may require closer site evaluation or a different design23. The permitting authority or its representative must inspect an installation within one business day after receiving the inspection request; ask Environmental Health when to request that inspection and what site evaluation or design review applies2422.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Logan County?

We could not confirm a general rule allowing long-term RV occupancy on private land in Logan County. Campgrounds are conditional uses in Rural Residential, and Industrial temporary work camps are limited to people directly involved in facility construction and may last no more than 18 months6. Ask the Logan County Code Administrator about the parcel's district, utility connections and whether a single RV may be occupied before moving onsite172. We could not confirm a rule specifically for tiny homes, so the Code Administrator must determine how the building-permit, zoning and occupancy rules apply132. A new manufactured home follows separate state installation and inspection rules and also needs county permission for placement or relocation2526.

Building a home in Logan County: the steps, in order

  1. Call the Logan County Auditor / Code Administrator at (701) 754-2425 to verify county jurisdiction, the mapped zoning district, setbacks and the applicable published fee251716.
  1. Prepare the legal description, lot map, building dimensions and location, materials, probable cost, and any requested plans1.
  1. Obtain the county building permit before covered work begins1.
  1. Contact Central Valley Health District at 701-252-8130, ext. 9 for the septic permit and applicable site review224.
  1. Apply for county-road access before creating a non-farm entrance; farm driveways and field access points are exempt, and the listed application has no fee27.
  1. Arrange the completed-building inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy before use3.

What should you check before buying land in Logan County?

Start with zoning: verify the governing jurisdiction, district, permitted use, lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, height limit and legal access518192021. If land will be divided, ask about plat review before relying on a proposed parcel layout because Logan County's Zoning Commission administers subdivision regulations where county jurisdiction applies28. A non-farm access point onto a county road requires an application, while Rural Residential access is limited to one ingress or egress point per quarter mile2729. Review septic feasibility early because only about 52.1% of mapped soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field23. For a private well, North Dakota requires an appropriation permit above 12.5 acre-feet per year, while qualifying lower-volume domestic and livestock uses must still be reported to the Department of Water Resources11. Logan County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.9%, with a median annual bill of about $9493031. Ask the Code Administrator whether the parcel is in a mapped floodplain before closing2.

Watch-outs

  • A parcel inside a city or a township exercising its own authority follows that jurisdiction's rules instead of Logan County zoning unless authority has been relinquished to the county5.
  • Logan County zoning does not prohibit farming or its normal incidents, but that protection is not an express exemption from building permits, septic permits, floodplain rules or other approvals32. Qualifying agricultural buildings are separately exempt from the state building-code chapter unless used for human habitation or by the public33.
  • Long-term RV occupancy, tiny-home treatment and any owner-builder permit or inspection exemption remain unconfirmed; the separate owner-builder provision concerns property tax and depends on local approval102.

Sources

  1. deq.nd.gov, quoted and re-checked
  2. Logan County Auditor / Code Administrator (logancountynd.com)
  3. Logan County Zoning Ordinance, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  4. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Logan County Zoning Ordinance, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  6. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  7. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  8. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  9. Property Tax Exemption for Builders of Certain New Single Family Residential Properties (2026 county census)
  10. Property Tax Exemption for Builders of Certain New Single Family Residential Properties (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Water Appropriation Permits (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  13. Building Codes | Commerce | North Dakota (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Building Codes (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Logan County Zoning Ordinance, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  16. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  17. Logan County North Dakota 2006 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  18. Logan County North Dakota 2006 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  19. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  20. Logan County Zoning Ordinance, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  21. deq.nd.gov, quoted and re-checked
  22. Central Valley Health District Environmental Health (centralvalleyhealth.org)
  23. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  24. North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 33.1-21-01: Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installers Licensing Systems (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Manufactured Home Installation Program (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Logan County North Dakota 2006 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  27. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  28. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  29. Logan County North Dakota 2006 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  30. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Logan County Zoning Regulations, amended April 9, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  33. North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-21.3, State Building Code (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 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.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Logan County has countywide zoning.

RuleLogan CountyMcIntosh CountyKidder CountyStutsman CountyEmmons CountyLaMoure CountyDickey County
Building permitRequiredRequiredLimitedRequiredRequiredLimitedRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsND Dept. of Env. QualityMcIntosh District Health UnitCounty District Health UnitCentral Valley Health DistrictND DEQCentral Valley Health DistrictCentral Valley Health District

County locator

Logan County in North Dakota

40
County map
Logan County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Logan County scores

Seclusion86100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1492% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability41100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost8194% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$102kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$1,837Land / acre
20.6"Annual rain
10.8% of yrsSevere drought
5.6 / yr (+4.9)Mid-century 100°F days
20.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.41" (+8.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.56×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
state median fallbackInsurance basis
120People within 30 min
226,259People within 2 hr
1,560Radius comparison (15 mi)
1.9People / sq mi
45.4%Federal land
91.3%Land at 15% slope or less
52.1%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
316,082 acWorkable land screen
1%Wooded land
41.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Logan 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.

Finn Township · Fredonia · Gackle · Glendale Township · Gutschmidt Township · Haag Township · Janke Township · Napoleon · Red Lake Township · Sealy Township

Answers from the rulebook for Logan County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Logan County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, relocation, alteration, structural change, or placement and relocation of mobile or manufactured homes in county-administered areas.

    • A permit must be obtained before proceeding with work.
    • Mobile homes and manufactured homes must comply with the Manufactured Housing and Building Code and obtain a permit for placement or relocation.
    • Applications must include a legal description, lot map, building information, probable cost, and any additional plans required by the Code Administrator.
    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, reconstruction, relocation, or alteration of buildings and structures, including placement or relocation of mobile and manufactured homes.
      “No person, firm or corporation shall erect, construct, make structural changes or move any structure without first obtaining a Building Permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings regulated by the Logan County zoning ordinance.

    • The adopted Uniform Building Code is incorporated into the ordinance.
    • If the Uniform Building Code conflicts with the county zoning regulations, the county zoning regulations supersede.
    “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.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings, including mobile homes and manufactured homes, regulated by the Logan County Zoning Ordinance in unincorporated Logan County.

    • A certificate of occupancy is issued upon inspection of the completed building.
    • The requirement includes placement of mobile homes and manufactured homes.
    • If violations or deviations are found, the Zoning Commission must report them and describe the action to be taken.
    “Inspect all buildings, structures and use of land”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Completed buildings and placement of mobile or manufactured homes requiring county approval.
      “The Zoning Commission shall 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.”
    • Required — Buildings, structures, and land uses subject to Logan County zoning regulations.
      “Inspect all buildings, structures and use of land to determine compliance with these and other applicable regulations of the county.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Structures or additions subject to a county building permit.

    • No covered structure or addition may be occupied or used until the Certificate of Compliance is issued.
    • The ordinance separately directs issuance of a certificate of occupancy after inspection.
    “No structure or addition thereto which is subject to the need for a building permit shall be occupied or used for any purpose until a Certificate of Compliance has been issued by the Zoning Administrator”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning regulations in unincorporated Logan County, subject to township and city exceptions.

    • The ordinance does not affect property within the zoning or subdivision authority of a lawfully regulating township unless the township relinquishes authority to the county.
    • The ordinance does not affect property within a city’s zoning or subdivision authority unless the city relinquishes authority to the county.
    “This ordinance shall affect all unincorporated territory over which the Board of County Commissioners have jurisdiction in Logan County, North Dakota except as indicated below.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning status across Logan County; county, township, and municipal authorities may control different areas.

    • The county ordinance applies only where county authority has jurisdiction.
    • Lawfully regulating townships and cities retain zoning or subdivision authority unless authority is relinquished to the county.
    “within the zoning or subdivision authority of any township”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate local zoning across Logan County, including county, township, and municipal jurisdictions.
      “This ordinance shall not affect any property, real or personal, which is located within the zoning or subdivision authority of any township having lawfully enacted regulations”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning districts and the county zoning map for unincorporated Logan County.

    • The ordinance identifies A-1 Agricultural, Rural Residential, Residential Community, Commercial, Industrial, and Recreation/Open Space districts.
    • The county Code Administrator maintains the zoning district map and records of amendments, conditional uses, and variances.
    • Cities and townships with independent zoning authority are outside the county ordinance unless authority is relinquished.
    “Maintain zoning related records and zoning district map”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in Logan County zoning districts, with different requirements by district and service availability.

    • A-1 agricultural district: five acres for non-farm residential and non-residential uses.
    • RR district: 20,000 square feet with public water or sewer, and one acre without public water or sewer.
    • R/C district: 5,000 square feet with public water or sewer, and 20,000 square feet without public water or sewer.
    • Commercial district: 20,000 square feet with public water and sewer, and one acre without public water and sewer.
    • Industrial district: 25,000 square feet.

    RR minimum lot size with public water or sewer: 20000 square feet · RR minimum lot size without public water or sewer: 1 acre · A-1 non-farm residential minimum lot area: 5 acres

    “Minimum lot size shall be 20,000 square feet”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Road, highway, lot-line, and district setbacks in unincorporated Logan County.

    • General county and state highway and county road rights-of-way setback is 200 feet, with a USDA-NRCS exception for tree plantings and shelterbelts.
    • A-1 non-farm structure setback is 200 feet from public road rights-of-way and 50 feet from lot lines.
    • RR structure setback is 100 feet from any right-of-way and 50 feet from any lot line.

    general road/highway setback: 200 feet (USDA-NRCS guidelines may allow a lesser setback for tree plantings and shelterbelts) · A-1 non-farm structure setback from public road right-of-way: 200 feet (A-1 district) · A-1 non-farm structure setback from lot line: 50 feet (A-1 district) · RR structure setback from right-of-way: 100 feet (RR district) · RR structure setback from lot line: 50 feet (RR district)

    “Minimum setback of non-farm structure shall be 200 feet from any public road right-of-way and 50 feet from any lot line of any lot of record.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Maximum building or structure intensity in Logan County zoning districts.

    • Rural Residential district maximum intensity is 30% of lot area.
    • Residential Community district maximum intensity is 40% of lot area.
    • The opened source did not establish a single countywide coverage percentage.

    rural residential maximum intensity: <= 30 percent of lot area · residential community maximum intensity: <= 40 percent of lot area

    “The maximum intensity of buildings or other structures on any lot shall be 30% of the lot area;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Building intensity in the Rural Residential district.
      “The maximum intensity of buildings or other structures on any lot shall be 30% of the lot area;”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in the Rural Residential district.

    • Structures exceeding 35 feet require a Conditional Use Permit.
    • Metal towers such as windmills and antennas are excepted.

    height requiring conditional use permit: > 35 feet (metal towers such as windmills and antennas)

    “Any structure exceeding 35 feet in height shall require a Conditional Use Permit, with the exception of metal towers such as windmills and antennas;”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Campgrounds and temporary work camps in county zoning districts.

    • Campgrounds are conditional uses in the Rural Residential district.
    • Temporary work camps are conditional uses in the Industrial district and may house only persons directly involved in industrial-facility construction during that construction.
    • Such temporary work camps may not exist for more than 18 months.

    maximum temporary work-camp duration: 18 months (Industrial district temporary work camps only)

    “5.2.2 Conditional Uses [...] (f) Campgrounds;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement and occupancy of mobile or manufactured homes under the county zoning ordinance.

    • Mobile home courts are conditional uses in the Rural Residential zone.
    • Mobile and manufactured homes require permits for placement and relocation.
    • A certificate of occupancy is required after inspection of the completed placement.
    “required to obtain a permit from the Zoning Commission for placement and relocation thereof.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems in Logan County.

    • NDDEQ licenses installers statewide.
    • A permit must also be obtained from the local public health unit.
    • Installers must follow local codes.
    “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

    Installation of onsite wastewater treatment systems in Logan County.

    • The permit is obtained from the local public health unit before work begins.
    • The installer must also obtain a no-cost NDDEQ license.
    • Local codes apply.
    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable

    Farming and normal incidents of farming under the Logan County zoning ordinance.

    • The ordinance does not prohibit or prevent farming or normal farming incidents.
    • Other applicable state, federal, health, building, floodplain, and safety rules may still apply.
    “shall be construed to prohibit or prevent the use of land or buildings for farming”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Farming and normal incidents of farming under the county zoning ordinance.
      “No regulation or restriction contained in this ordinance shall be construed to prohibit or prevent the use of land or buildings for farming or any of the normal incidents of farming.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision authority administered by the Logan County Zoning Commission where county jurisdiction applies.

    • Township and city subdivision authorities may supersede the county ordinance unless authority is relinquished to the county.
    • The full subdivision regulations were not separately located in the opened document.
    “The Zoning Commission is hereby vested with authority and jurisdiction to administer the County Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Building Code and Housing Code.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Access points to Logan County roads.

    • The County Commission may regulate number of access points per mile, width, construction, and other access features.
    • Farm driveways and field access points are exempt from these provisions.
    • The 2025 fee schedule lists road and highway access applications as required with no fee.

    road/highway access permit fee: 0 USD (application required)

    “A permit for access to the county roads is required by the County Commission.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning and building permit fee schedule adopted April 9, 2025.

    • Existing-building repairs and demolition/removal have no application or fee.
    • New construction and additions are charged by project value.
    • Other listed fees include mobile homes, utility permits, conditional-use permits, zoning amendments, variances, and road/highway access applications.

    new construction $2,000-$10,000: 50 USD (residential or commercial construction) · new construction $10,001-$100,000: 100 USD (residential or commercial construction) · new construction over $100,000: 300 USD (residential or commercial construction) · mobile home permit: 100 USD · conditional use permit: 250 USD · utility permit: 250 USD ($100 for local companies and Logan County landowners) · road and highway access permit: 0 USD (application required)

    “Residential or Commercial Construction from $2,000 to $10,000 cost.......$ 50.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Logan County building permit applications and appeals.

    • Applications go to the County Code Administrator; uses other than permitted uses go to the Zoning Commission.
    • A denied application must be communicated within seven days.
    • Applicants may request a hearing, reapply, or appeal a Zoning Commission denial to a court.
    • Applications require a legal description, lot map, building details, probable cost, and additional plans if required.

    denial notice period: 7 days

    “Application for a building permit shall be made to the County Code Administrator, who may issue said “permitted use” permit. Permits other than “permitted use” shall be brought to the Zoning Commission for action.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — County building permit applications and approvals under the zoning ordinance.
      “Each application for a building permit shall be accompanied by a legal description and a map”

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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 Logan 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
  • 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 for private development in Logan 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 Logan County, North Dakota

Is Logan County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Logan County scores 40/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 120 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (20.6″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.

Do you need a building permit in Logan County, North Dakota?

Logan County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (Onsite Wastewater/Septic Program). 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 Logan County, North Dakota?

Land in Logan County runs about $1,837 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Logan County?

Logan County gets about 20.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.8% of years.

How remote is Logan County?

A representative private-land location has about 120 people within a 30-minute drive and 226,259 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.

How Logan compares in North Dakota

Compare side-by-side →See all 53 North Dakota counties ranked →