Cass County, ND — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Cass County Planning Office (for county-level matters); individual township Zoning Administrators (for participating townships)

Street address

Cass County Courthouse, 211 9th Street South, Fargo, ND 58103

Phone

701-241-5600

Coverage

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.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Cass County

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.

Scope of work

Permit?

Sidewalks and driveways

Exempt

Swings and playground equipment

Exempt

Window awnings

Exempt

Reroofing

Exempt

Accessory structures under 120 sq ft (varies by township)

Exempt

Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
Exempt Swings and playground equipment
Exempt Window awnings
Exempt Reroofing
Exempt Accessory structures under 120 sq ft (varies by township)

Note: Per state code baseline exemptions; confirm with individual township for jurisdiction-specific exemptions

Required documents

Varies by township; typically site plan, construction drawings, stormwater plan

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.
Permit validity: Varies by 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.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 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)

01

Determine jurisdiction: Is the property within a city's limits or extraterritorial area? If so, contact that city directly.
02

Is the property within a participating township? Contact the township Zoning Administrator.
03

Is it outside both? Contact the County Planning Office.
04

For county-level development permits (subdivision, floodplain, highway access): contact County Planning Office
05

Township Zoning Administrators issue building permits, conditional use permits, and certificates of compliance for properties within their township
06

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)

Source: Cass County Planning Office (for county-level matters); individual township Zoning Administrators (for participating townships) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Cass County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Varies by township

Plan check fee

Varies by township

Permit fee formula

Varies by township

Reinspection fee

Varies by township

Contact individual township or County Planning Office

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Contact individual township Zoning Administrator (phone)

Inspection hours: Varies by township

Typical sequence: Varies by township; state boards handle electrical and plumbing statewide

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Cass County permits

01 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.

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cass County, ND? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Cass County, ND are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Varies by township. Fees are calculated as: Varies by township. Plan check fee: Varies by township.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, ND? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, ND, follow these steps: 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

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, ND? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Cass County, ND typically run 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). Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cass County, ND? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit 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 When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cass County, ND? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cass County, ND via: Contact individual township Zoning Administrator.

last verified April 2026 source Cass County Planning Office (for county-level matters); individual township Zoning Administrators (for participating townships) ↗ entry id permits/north-dakota/cass/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Cass County Planning Office (for county-level matters); individual township Zoning Administrators (for participating townships) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Cass County