County Building Permits
Bowman County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bowman County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Bowman County, including the ghost town of Griffin.
- Department
- Bowman County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- 104 1st St NW, Suite 4, Bowman, ND 58623
- Phone
- (701) 523-3129
Application Process
- Download or pick up the appropriate application form from the Planning and Zoning office (Zoning Permit, Conditional Use Permit, Zoning Variance, or Boring Permit).
- Complete and submit the form with any required site plan or supporting documents in person or by mail.
- For items requiring board action (conditional use, variances): submit all agenda items to the office by Tuesday of the week of the meeting.
- The Planning and Zoning Board meets the 2nd Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 6:00 PM in the Bowman County Courthouse Commission Room.
- Zoning permits that do not require board action are processed administratively.
Typical processing time: Variable; administrative permits faster; board items subject to meeting schedule.
General Requirements
A zoning permit is required for new construction, major additions, accessory structures, and changes of land use in unincorporated areas.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan (if required)
- Supporting documents as specified by the zoning office
- Building code
- 2024 Bowman County Zoning Ordinance; ND State Building Code not separately enforced by county. Structural safety review is limited to what is embedded in the zoning process.
- Owner-builder
- Contact the zoning office at (701) 523-3129 to confirm current requirements before submitting.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed electricians must comply with ND State Electrical Board rules; licensed plumbers must comply with ND State Plumbing Board rules.
Fees
- Payment note
- No published fee schedule; fees must be confirmed directly with the Planning and Zoning office at (701) 523-3129.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Bowman County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Mon–Thu 7:30 AM–12:00 PM MT / 12:30 PM–4:30 PM MT; Fri 7:30 AM–12:00 PM MT
Typical inspection sequence: The county does not operate a building inspection program for unincorporated areas. Owners and contractors are responsible for meeting applicable code standards.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2024 Bowman County Zoning Ordinance; ND State Building Code not separately enforced by county. Structural safety review is limited to what is embedded in the zoning process.
- Verify contractor license: ND State Electrical Board License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- ND State Plumbing Board
- Southwestern District Health Unit (Septic Permits)
- 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 Bowman County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bowman County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Bowman County, ND?
- A zoning permit is required for new construction, major additions, accessory structures, and changes of land use in unincorporated areas.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bowman County, ND?
- 1. Download or pick up the appropriate application form from the Planning and Zoning office (Zoning Permit, Conditional Use Permit, Zoning Variance, or Boring Permit). 2. Complete and submit the form with any required site plan or supporting documents in person or by mail. 3. For items requiring board action (conditional use, variances): submit all agenda items to the office by Tuesday of the week of the meeting. 4. The Planning and Zoning Board meets the 2nd Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 6:00 PM in the Bowman County Courthouse Commission Room. 5. Zoning permits that do not require board action are processed administratively.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Bowman County, ND?
- Typical processing time is Variable; administrative permits faster; board items subject to meeting schedule..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Bowman County, ND?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural structures on agricultural-zoned land may have reduced permit requirements under the 2024 Zoning Ordinance; confirm specifics with the zoning office.. Note: Confirm edge cases with the Planning and Zoning office before proceeding. Wind and Solar Ordinances apply to energy installations.
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