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§ ND Benson County
County building permits

Unincorporated Benson County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Benson County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

Benson County Zoning Board

Street address
311 B Ave S, Minnewaukan, ND 58351
Phone
701-473-5340
Email
bserickson@nd.gov
Coverage
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.
Online portal
Benson County Zoning Board
Paper-based
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Benson County

A zoning permit is required for certain land use changes and construction on unincorporated land in Benson County.

Agricultural buildings and farm structures may be exempt from some zoning requirements under North Dakota law (NDCC 11-33).
  • 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.

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.

Source: Benson County Zoning Board ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not published; contact the Zoning Board at 701-473-5340 for estimates.

  1. 01
    Contact the Benson County Zoning Board at 701-473-5340 to confirm whether your project requires a zoning permit.
  2. 02
    Obtain and complete the zoning/land use permit application from the county office.
  3. 03
    Submit completed application, site plan, and supporting documents to the Zoning Board Secretary.
  4. 04
    The Zoning Board reviews the application. The board meets periodically; scheduling varies.
  5. 05
    If approved, the permit is issued. For projects requiring septic installation, a separate permit from the First District Health Unit is also required.
  6. 06
    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 ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Typical sequence: No formal county building inspection program has been identified. The county's regulatory focus is zoning/land use compliance, not construction phase inspections.

Source: Benson County Zoning Board ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Benson County permits

01 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.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Benson County, ND? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Benson County, ND, follow these steps: 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.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Benson County, ND? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Benson County, ND typically run Not published; contact the Zoning Board at 701-473-5340 for estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Benson County, ND? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026 source Benson County Zoning Board ↗ entry id permits/north-dakota/benson/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Benson County Zoning Board before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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