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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Valley City
Additions; arbors; changes in square footage; all commercial projects and commercial remodeling; decks with footings (attached or unattached) if over 10'x12' or over 29" high; interior renovations including structural modifications; garages; HVAC systems (gas appliances, wood stoves, etc.); new construction; finishing basements; porches larger than 10x12 (120 sq ft) with walking surface 30" or higher; replacing furnaces; storage sheds over 120 sq ft; sidewalks; demolition; windows and doors if changing the size of the opening.
Carpet installation
Cement slab off boulevard
Fences (special handout available)
Kitchen cabinets if no walls added/removed
Paint (interior or exterior)
Patios (poured or pavers)
In-ground swimming pools
Masonry porches 30" or less
Re-siding or re-shingling
Storage sheds 120 sq ft or less
Sheet rocking
Trailer house modifications (including additions and decks)
- Exempt Carpet installation
- Exempt Cement slab off boulevard
- Exempt Fences (special handout available)
- Exempt Kitchen cabinets if no walls added/removed
- Exempt Paint (interior or exterior)
- Exempt Patios (poured or pavers)
- Exempt In-ground swimming pools
- Exempt Masonry porches 30" or less
- Exempt Re-siding or re-shingling
- Exempt Storage sheds 120 sq ft or less
- Exempt Sheet rocking
- Exempt Trailer house modifications (including additions and decks)
Note: No building permit needed for listed items; confirm requirements with Building Department.
Required documents
- Permit application
- Plot plan showing lot/block description
- All easements
- All existing structures with dimensions
- Construction drawings (2 copies) with elevations, floor plans, sections, footing details, and materials
- Building code
- City of Valley City has adopted the North Dakota State Building Code. The 2023 ND State Building Code (effective January 1, 2023) was in effect through December 31, 2025; the 2026 ND State Building Code (based on 2024 editions) takes effect January 1, 2026.
- Permit validity
- Contact city for permit validity period.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may prepare their own plans; engineer/architect may be required by the Building Department.
- Contractor requirements
- ND state contractor and specialty trade licensing requirements apply. Electrical permits issued by ND State Electrical Board (701-400-1115); plumbing permits issued by ND State Plumbing Board (Dean Staska 701-799-1555).
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Up to one week for complete applications; longer for complex projects.
- 01 Download or pick up a permit application at valleycity.us or from City Hall/Midwest Inspection Services.
- 02 Prepare required documents: plot plan showing lot/block description, all easements, all existing structures with dimensions from property lines; and construction drawings (2 copies) showing elevations, dimensioned floor plans for all levels, section detail of wall/roof/foundation (footing size, walls, rebar size and spacing), and materials.
- 03 Homeowners may prepare their own plans; the Building Inspection Division may require architect/engineer plans if accuracy or legibility requires it.
- 04 Submit application with all documents.
- 05 Valley City office reviews the permit application. Allow up to one week for processing of complete, accurate applications; longer for complex projects or during busy summer season.
- 06 After approval, Valley City office calls the applicant with the invoice amount. Payment must be made and permit paperwork signed at the Valley City office before work starts.
- 07 Post the permit card at the job site.
- 08 Schedule inspections by calling (701) 532-1078, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Typical processing time: Up to one week for complete applications; longer for complex projects.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 16, 2024; amended December 2025 and January 2026
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based (materials plus labor). Specific rate tables not fully published in text format; contact city for current fee schedule.
Payment and permit paperwork signing required at Valley City City Hall before any work starts. Valley City office calls with invoice amount after application approval.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 16, 2024; amended December 2025 and January 2026) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (701) 532-1078 (Midwest Inspection Services) (phone)
- (701) 845-8127 (Water/sewer and sidewalk/approach) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footings, framing, insulation, rough-in plumbing/mechanical/electrical, building final. Work cannot be covered or proceed past any inspection point without sign-off.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Valley City permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Valley City, ND? ▸
Additions; arbors; changes in square footage; all commercial projects and commercial remodeling; decks with footings (attached or unattached) if over 10'x12' or over 29" high; interior renovations including structural modifications; garages; HVAC systems (gas appliances, wood stoves, etc.); new construction; finishing basements; porches larger than 10x12 (120 sq ft) with walking surface 30" or higher; replacing furnaces; storage sheds over 120 sq ft; sidewalks; demolition; windows and doors if changing the size of the opening.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Valley City, ND? ▸
Building permit fees in Valley City, ND are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based (materials plus labor). Specific rate tables not fully published in text format; contact city for current fee schedule..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Valley City, ND? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Valley City, ND, follow these steps: 1. Download or pick up a permit application at valleycity.us or from City Hall/Midwest Inspection Services. 2. Prepare required documents: plot plan showing lot/block description, all easements, all existing structures with dimensions from property lines; and construction drawings (2 copies) showing elevations, dimensioned floor plans for all levels, section detail of wall/roof/foundation (footing size, walls, rebar size and spacing), and materials. 3. Homeowners may prepare their own plans; the Building Inspection Division may require architect/engineer plans if accuracy or legibility requires it. 4. Submit application with all documents. 5. Valley City office reviews the permit application. Allow up to one week for processing of complete, accurate applications; longer for complex projects or during busy summer season. 6. After approval, Valley City office calls the applicant with the invoice amount. Payment must be made and permit paperwork signed at the Valley City office before work starts. 7. Post the permit card at the job site. 8. Schedule inspections by calling (701) 532-1078, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Valley City, ND? ▸
Building permit processing times in Valley City, ND typically run Up to one week for complete applications; longer for complex projects.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Valley City, ND? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Valley City, ND. The following work is generally exempt: Carpet installation; Cement slab off boulevard; Fences (special handout available); Kitchen cabinets if no walls added/removed; Paint (interior or exterior); Patios (poured or pavers); In-ground swimming pools; Masonry porches 30" or less; Re-siding or re-shingling; Storage sheds 120 sq ft or less; Sheet rocking; Trailer house modifications (including additions and decks). Note: No building permit needed for listed items; confirm requirements with Building Department. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Valley City, ND? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Valley City, ND via: (701) 532-1078 (Midwest Inspection Services), (701) 845-8127 (Water/sewer and sidewalk/approach). 8 a.m. to 4 p.m..
last verified April 2026
source Building/Fire Inspector, City of Valley City ↗
entry id permits/north-dakota/barnes/valley-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building/Fire Inspector, City of Valley City before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.