County Building Permits
Benson County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Benson County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated land within Benson County outside the boundaries of incorporated municipalities. Note: Spirit Lake Nation tribal trust land within the county is subject to tribal jurisdiction, not county zoning.
- Department
- Benson County Zoning Board
- Address
- 311 B Ave S, Minnewaukan, ND 58351
- Phone
- 701-473-5340
- bserickson@nd.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Paper-based • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact the Benson County Zoning Board at 701-473-5340 to confirm whether your project requires a zoning permit.
- Obtain and complete the zoning/land use permit application from the county office.
- Submit completed application, site plan, and supporting documents to the Zoning Board Secretary.
- The Zoning Board reviews the application. The board meets periodically; scheduling varies.
- If approved, the permit is issued. For projects requiring septic installation, a separate permit from the First District Health Unit is also required.
- No formal building code inspection program has been identified at the county level — the county's regulatory focus is zoning/land use, not structural construction standards.
Typical processing time: Not published; contact the Zoning Board at 701-473-5340 for estimates.
Source: Benson County Zoning Board
General Requirements
A zoning permit is required for certain land use changes and construction on unincorporated land in Benson County.
Required Documents
- Completed zoning/land use permit application
- Site plan
- Property description
- Project details
- Building code
- Not confirmed. Benson County has not been identified as an adopting jurisdiction of the ND State Building Code. The county's regulatory focus is zoning/land use only, not structural construction standards.
- Owner-builder
- Not addressed in available county documents. Contact the Zoning Board directly.
- Contractor requirements
- General contractors with contracts exceeding $4,000 must hold a North Dakota contractor license (Class A, B, C, or D) issued by the ND Secretary of State. Electrical work requires a licensed electrician (ND State Electrical Board). Plumbing work requires a licensed plumber (ND State Plumbing Board). Septic installers must be licensed by ND DEQ.
Fees
- Payment note
- No fee schedule published online. Contact the Benson County Zoning Board at 701-473-5340 for current permit fees.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Benson County Zoning Board to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: No formal county building inspection program has been identified. The county's regulatory focus is zoning/land use compliance, not construction phase inspections.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Not confirmed. Benson County has not been identified as an adopting jurisdiction of the ND State Building Code. The county's regulatory focus is zoning/land use only, not structural construction standards.
- Verify contractor license: ND Secretary of State Contractor License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- First District Health Unit (Septic Systems)
- ND State Electrical Board
- ND State Plumbing Board
- License lookup guide: North Dakota Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: North Dakota Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- North Dakota hub: North Dakota Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Benson County Zoning Board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benson County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Benson County, ND?
- A zoning permit is required for certain land use changes and construction on unincorporated land in Benson County.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Benson County, ND?
- 1. Contact the Benson County Zoning Board at 701-473-5340 to confirm whether your project requires a zoning permit. 2. Obtain and complete the zoning/land use permit application from the county office. 3. Submit completed application, site plan, and supporting documents to the Zoning Board Secretary. 4. The Zoning Board reviews the application. The board meets periodically; scheduling varies. 5. If approved, the permit is issued. For projects requiring septic installation, a separate permit from the First District Health Unit is also required. 6. No formal building code inspection program has been identified at the county level — the county's regulatory focus is zoning/land use, not structural construction standards.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Benson County, ND?
- Typical processing time is Not published; contact the Zoning Board at 701-473-5340 for estimates..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Benson County, ND?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings and farm structures may be exempt from some zoning requirements under North Dakota law (NDCC 11-33).. Note: Contact the Zoning Board for confirmation of exemptions. Spirit Lake Nation trust land within the county boundary is not subject to county zoning or building codes.
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