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§ ND Burke County
County building permits

Unincorporated Burke County

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

Burke County Planning and Zoning Commission / County Auditor's Office

Street address
103 Main Street, PO Box 310, Bowbells, ND 58721
Phone
(701) 377-6242
Coverage
All unincorporated areas of Burke County except the extraterritorial zoning boundaries of the six incorporated cities (Bowbells, Columbus, Flaxton, Lignite, Portal, Powers Lake) and except Dimond, Clayton, and Forthun townships which exercise independent zoning authority as of July 1, 2023.
Online portal
Burke County Planning and Zoning
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Burke County

Any building or structure other than those associated with normal agriculture must have a permit before being erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered. No permit is required for maintenance that does not structurally alter the building.

Normal agricultural uses and buildings (farm dwellings, barns, grain bins, livestock structures, etc.) are expressly exempt from the zoning ordinance permit requirements under Article 2, Section 3 of the 2025 ordinance.
  • Exempt Normal agricultural uses and buildings (farm dwellings, barns, grain bins, livestock structures, etc.) are expressly exempt from the zoning ordinance permit requirements under Article 2, Section 3 of the 2025 ordinance.

Note: Agricultural exemption applies to normal farm operations. Commercial businesses providing goods or services to farmers are not exempt. Confirm agricultural status with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding.

Required documents
  • Completed permit application
  • Site plan drawn to scale showing boundary lines and structure location
  • Setbacks from road centerlines and property lines
  • For conditional uses: names and addresses of adjacent property owners, parking plan, and project description
Building code
Burke County does not independently enforce the ND State Building Code in unincorporated areas; the county's permit system is zoning-based, not building-inspection-based. Building code compliance (IBC/IRC) is not independently inspected at the county level.
Permit validity
A permit expires if no construction takes place within one year of issuance.
Contractor requirements
ND NDCC §43-07 requires a state contractor license for hired construction work over $4,000 in value. Licensed electricians required under the ND State Electrical Board; licensed plumbers under the ND State Plumbing Board.

Source: Burke County Planning and Zoning Commission / County Auditor's Office ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Varies; Planning and Zoning Board meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month. County Commissioners meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday.

  1. 01
    Contact the Planning and Zoning office at (701) 377-6242 (or County Auditor at 701-377-2861 if the Administrator position is vacant) to discuss the proposed project and confirm permit requirements.
  2. 02
    Download and complete the applicable permit application form from the county website, or pick up a form at the courthouse (103 Main Street, Bowbells).
  3. 03
    Submit the completed application with a site plan showing lot boundaries, proposed structure placement, setbacks from road centerlines, and dimensions.
  4. 04
    The Planning and Zoning Commission (or designated Zoning Administrator) reviews the application for conformance with the zoning ordinance.
  5. 05
    If plans comply, fees are collected and the permit is issued. If plans do not comply, applicant must pursue a variance, conditional use permit, or amendment (each requiring a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals or County Commission).
  6. 06
    Post permit at the job site. Upon completion, notify the office to schedule a certificate of compliance inspection.

Typical processing time: Varies; Planning and Zoning Board meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month. County Commissioners meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday.

Source: Burke County Planning and Zoning Commission / County Auditor's Office ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (701) 377-6242 (phone)
Inspection hours
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed Wednesdays and federal holidays)

Typical sequence: Certificate of compliance required before any permitted structure can be occupied. Upon project completion, applicant notifies the Planning and Zoning Commission, which conducts an on-site inspection.

Source: Burke County Planning and Zoning Commission / County Auditor's Office ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Burke County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Burke County, ND? ▸
Any building or structure other than those associated with normal agriculture must have a permit before being erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered. No permit is required for maintenance that does not structurally alter the building.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Burke County, ND? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Burke County, ND, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Planning and Zoning office at (701) 377-6242 (or County Auditor at 701-377-2861 if the Administrator position is vacant) to discuss the proposed project and confirm permit requirements. 2. Download and complete the applicable permit application form from the county website, or pick up a form at the courthouse (103 Main Street, Bowbells). 3. Submit the completed application with a site plan showing lot boundaries, proposed structure placement, setbacks from road centerlines, and dimensions. 4. The Planning and Zoning Commission (or designated Zoning Administrator) reviews the application for conformance with the zoning ordinance. 5. If plans comply, fees are collected and the permit is issued. If plans do not comply, applicant must pursue a variance, conditional use permit, or amendment (each requiring a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals or County Commission). 6. Post permit at the job site. Upon completion, notify the office to schedule a certificate of compliance inspection.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Burke County, ND? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Burke County, ND typically run Varies; Planning and Zoning Board meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month. County Commissioners meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Burke County, ND? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Burke County, ND. The following work is generally exempt: Normal agricultural uses and buildings (farm dwellings, barns, grain bins, livestock structures, etc.) are expressly exempt from the zoning ordinance permit requirements under Article 2, Section 3 of the 2025 ordinance.. Note: Agricultural exemption applies to normal farm operations. Commercial businesses providing goods or services to farmers are not exempt. Confirm agricultural status with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Burke County, ND? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Burke County, ND via: (701) 377-6242.
last verified April 2026 source Burke County Planning and Zoning Commission / County Auditor's Office ↗ entry id permits/north-dakota/burke/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Burke County Planning and Zoning Commission / County Auditor's Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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