Lincoln, ND — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Lincoln Administration / Engineering Department

Street address

74 Santee Rd, Lincoln, ND 58504

Phone

(701) 258-7969

Coverage

Issues permits for certain work within city limits (accessory buildings over 120 sq ft, concrete/driveway work, variances). Other permit types -- specifically basement finishing and deck permits -- are routed through the Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department even for properties within Lincoln city limits. Some areas removed from the Bismarck ETA effective March 1, 2026 are now directed to the City of Lincoln. Work in city rights-of-way must be done by a contractor licensed and bonded with the City of Lincoln.

Online portal

City of Lincoln - Home Owner Permits

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Lincoln

Accessory building use permit required for any accessory building over 120 sq ft. Concrete permit required when widening a driveway or adding a camper pad. Basement finishing and deck permits processed by Burleigh County. Contact the city for other project types.

Note: Not published in available public sources. For items handled by Burleigh County, see the Burleigh County section. Contact the city for Lincoln-specific exemptions.

Building code: Not confirmed from available public sources. As a city in North Dakota, Lincoln is subject to the ND State Building Code if it has elected to adopt and enforce building codes. Contact the city for confirmation.
Permit validity: Likely follows the ND State Building Code (IBC Section 105.5): 180-day commencement window, 180-day abandonment rule. Contact the city for confirmation.
Contractor requirements: All work in the City Right of Way must be performed by a contractor licensed and bonded with the City of Lincoln. State contractor license required for jobs over $4,000 (ND Secretary of State).

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not published.

01

Determine which permit type applies to your project.
02

For accessory buildings over 120 sq ft: contact City of Lincoln at (701) 258-7969 for an accessory building use permit.
03

For concrete work (widening a driveway, adding a camper pad): contact City of Lincoln for a concrete permit. All work in the city right-of-way requires a contractor licensed and bonded with the City of Lincoln.
04

For basement finishing or deck permits: contact Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning at (701) 221-3727 -- these are not handled by the City of Lincoln.
05

For variance applications: contact City of Lincoln.
06

For other project types: contact the city at (701) 258-7969 to determine jurisdiction and process.

Typical processing time: Not published.

Source: City of Lincoln Administration / Engineering Department ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(701) 258-7969 (phone)

Inspection hours: City office hours not confirmed. Call (701) 258-7969. For permits routed to Burleigh County (basement, decks): Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Typical sequence: Not published for city-issued permits. Burleigh County-issued permits follow the county inspection process.

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Lincoln permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Lincoln, ND? ▸

02 How do I apply for a building permit in Lincoln, ND? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Lincoln, ND, follow these steps: 1. Determine which permit type applies to your project. 2. For accessory buildings over 120 sq ft: contact City of Lincoln at (701) 258-7969 for an accessory building use permit. 3. For concrete work (widening a driveway, adding a camper pad): contact City of Lincoln for a concrete permit. All work in the city right-of-way requires a contractor licensed and bonded with the City of Lincoln. 4. For basement finishing or deck permits: contact Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning at (701) 221-3727 -- these are not handled by the City of Lincoln. 5. For variance applications: contact City of Lincoln. 6. For other project types: contact the city at (701) 258-7969 to determine jurisdiction and process.

03 How long does it take to get a building permit in Lincoln, ND? ▸

Building permit processing times in Lincoln, ND typically run Not published.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Lincoln, ND? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Lincoln, ND via: (701) 258-7969.

last verified April 2026 source City of Lincoln Administration / Engineering Department ↗ entry id permits/north-dakota/burleigh/lincoln

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Lincoln Administration / Engineering Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Lincoln

Other jurisdictions in Burleigh County.