Unincorporated Burleigh County

Permits required by state statute and local ordinance for: new buildings and structures; remodels involving structural changes; basement finish work; septic systems; mechanical work. Projects completed without permits can affect home insurability and resale value.

Note: The county website does not publish a comprehensive exemption list as plain text. Exemptions are governed by the adopted North Dakota State Building Code (IBC/IRC Section 105.2). Contact the department at 701-221-3727 to confirm whether a specific project is exempt.

Building code

North Dakota State Building Code, currently based on the 2024 International Codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC), effective January 1, 2026. Prior to that date, the 2021 editions applied. Local structural design standards enforced by the county: frost depth 48 inches, ground snow load 36 psf, wind load 90 mph, soil bearing capacity 1,500 psf. Ice and water shield protection required (adopted May 25, 2004).

Permit validity

Per adopted IBC Section 105.5, permits become invalid if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days. Written extensions may be requested. Burleigh County does not issue temporary Certificates of Occupancy; occupying a residence before receiving final certification is prohibited.

Owner-builder

Owner-builder provisions not published on the county website. Contact the department at 701-221-3727.

Contractor requirements

General contractors must hold a North Dakota state contractor license for work exceeding $4,000. License classes: Class A (contracts over $500,000, fee $450), Class B (up to $500,000, fee $300), Class C (up to $300,000, fee $225), Class D (up to $100,000, fee $100). Apply through the ND Secretary of State at sos.nd.gov/business/licensing-registration/contractors.

1. 01
   Confirm your property is in unincorporated Burleigh County (not within a city or Bismarck ETA). Call 701-221-3727 or check the jurisdiction maps at burleigh.gov if uncertain.
2. 02
   Download the appropriate application from burleigh.gov/departments/buildingplanningzoning/buildings/applications/ or apply online via SmartGov.
3. 03
   Complete the application with full project details. Provide comprehensive information to avoid review delays.
4. 04
   Attach required documents (site plan, construction drawings, etc.).
5. 05
   Submit by any of the methods: online via SmartGov, in person at 221 N 5th St, by mail to PO Box 5518, Bismarck, ND 58506-5518, by fax to 701-221-3726, or by email to burleighcobuilding@nd.gov.
6. 06
   Department reviews application. Review times: commercial projects 7-10 business days; residential new construction 3-5 business days; drainfield permits 2-3 business days; all other permits 1 business day.
7. 07
   Permit is issued online. Invoice sent within five (5) days of permit issue date.
8. 08
   Pay invoice. Note: Burleigh County does not accept online payments at this time. Payment must be made in person or by mail.
9. 09
   Construction may begin after permit is issued and payment is arranged.
10. 10
    Schedule inspections via the SmartGov portal or by texting (701) 220-4319.
11. 11
    Receive final inspection and approval before occupying.

Typical processing time: Commercial 7-10 days; residential new construction 3-5 days; drainfield 2-3 days; other permits 1 day.

Source: Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department ↗

Burleigh County does not accept online payments at this time. Invoiced within five days of permit issue. Pay in person at 221 N 5th St or by mail to PO Box 5518, Bismarck, ND 58506-5518.

• SmartGov portal (online)
• (701) 221-3727 (phone)
• Text (701) 220-4319 (text)

Scheduling deadline

Callers after 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day. Online-scheduled time slots are not guaranteed -- inspectors route by efficiency.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (inspection hours). Two-hour block format, first block starts at 10:00 a.m. Department office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Time windows

Two-hour inspection blocks starting at 10:00 a.m.

Typical sequence: Varies by project type. The department follows the adopted building code inspection requirements. Contact 701-221-3727 for the required inspection sequence for your specific project.

Source: Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department ↗