County Building Permits
Cass County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Cass County does not operate a county-wide building permit program for municipalities. In unincorporated areas, permit authority rests with the 49 individual townships, each of which may have its own zoning ordinance and permit requirements. If the property is within city limits or a city's extraterritorial area, contact that city. If within a participating township, contact the township Zoning Administrator directly. The County Planning Office handles subdivision applications, flood damage prevention, highway access, and comprehensive plan matters.
- Department
- Cass County Planning Office (for county-level matters); individual township Zoning Administrators (for participating townships)
- Address
- Cass County Courthouse, 211 9th Street South, Fargo, ND 58103
- Phone
- 701-241-5600
Application Process
- Determine jurisdiction: Is the property within a city's limits or extraterritorial area? If so, contact that city directly.
- Is the property within a participating township? Contact the township Zoning Administrator.
- Is it outside both? Contact the County Planning Office.
- For county-level development permits (subdivision, floodplain, highway access): contact County Planning Office
- Township Zoning Administrators issue building permits, conditional use permits, and certificates of compliance for properties within their township
- Township Board of Supervisors appoints the Zoning Administrator; check with county for current contact list for each township
Typical processing time: Varies by township; county subdivision approvals require public hearings before Planning Commission (minor subdivision: 4 or fewer buildable lots; major subdivision: more than 4 lots)
General Requirements
Varies by township. Many townships have agricultural zoning ordinances; some have multi-district ordinances allowing non-farm development with permits. Contact the relevant township directly.
Required Documents
- Varies by township; typically site plan, construction drawings, stormwater plan
- Permit validity
- Varies by township
- Building code
- Individual townships may adopt the ND State Building Code (IBC/IRC); adoption is not mandatory -- some rural townships may have no building code enforcement. Confirm with individual township.
- Owner-builder
- Varies by township; state contractor license still required if job cost exceeds $4,000
- Contractor requirements
- State contractor license required for jobs over $4,000 (ND Secretary of State). Electrical and plumbing handled by state boards regardless of location.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Varies by township
- Plan check fee
- Varies by township
- Permit fee formula
- Varies by township
- Reinspection fee
- Varies by township
- Payment note
- Contact individual township or County Planning Office
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Sidewalks and driveways
- Swings and playground equipment
- Window awnings
- Reroofing
- Accessory structures under 120 sq ft (varies by township)
Important: Per state code baseline exemptions; confirm with individual township for jurisdiction-specific exemptions
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact individual township Zoning Administrator (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Varies by township
Typical inspection sequence: Varies by township; state boards handle electrical and plumbing statewide
Additional Resources
- Building code: Individual townships may adopt the ND State Building Code (IBC/IRC); adoption is not mandatory -- some rural townships may have no building code enforcement. Confirm with individual township.
- Verify contractor license: ND Secretary of State Contractor License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Cass County Subdivision Ordinance
- North Dakota Township Officers Association Zoning Information
- Cass County Cities and Townships List
- 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 Cass County Planning Office (for county-level matters); individual township Zoning Administrators (for participating townships) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cass County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, ND?
- Varies by township. Many townships have agricultural zoning ordinances; some have multi-district ordinances allowing non-farm development with permits. Contact the relevant township directly.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cass County, ND?
- The minimum permit fee is Varies by township. Fees are calculated as: Varies by township. Plan check fee: Varies by township.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, ND?
- 1. Determine jurisdiction: Is the property within a city's limits or extraterritorial area? If so, contact that city directly. 2. Is the property within a participating township? Contact the township Zoning Administrator. 3. Is it outside both? Contact the County Planning Office. 4. For county-level development permits (subdivision, floodplain, highway access): contact County Planning Office 5. Township Zoning Administrators issue building permits, conditional use permits, and certificates of compliance for properties within their township 6. Township Board of Supervisors appoints the Zoning Administrator; check with county for current contact list for each township
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, ND?
- Typical processing time is Varies by township; county subdivision approvals require public hearings before Planning Commission (minor subdivision: 4 or fewer buildable lots; major subdivision: more than 4 lots).
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cass County, ND?
- The following work is generally exempt: Sidewalks and driveways; Swings and playground equipment; Window awnings; Reroofing; Accessory structures under 120 sq ft (varies by township). Note: Per state code baseline exemptions; confirm with individual township for jurisdiction-specific exemptions
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cass County, ND?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact individual township Zoning Administrator.
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