Oakes, ND — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Oakes — City Hall (Building/Public Works)

Street address

124 S 5th St, Oakes, ND 58474

Phone

(701) 742-2137

Coverage

Administers permits within Oakes city limits. Electrical permits by ND State Electrical Board; plumbing by ND State Plumbing Board.

Online portal

City Forms

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Oakes

Alterations or additions to permanent or accessory structures; new construction; concrete work; storage buildings; decks; fences; porches; renovations that change the original structural footprint.

Scope of work

Permit?

Maintenance projects — siding, window replacement, door replacement.

Exempt

Exempt Maintenance projects — siding, window replacement, door replacement.

Note: Confirm with City Hall whether other minor maintenance work is exempt.

Required documents

Permit application with project description
Property address
Estimated project cost

Building code: The city has on file the ND State Building Code (an older version, Effective January 1, 2011, is hosted on the city website). The current ND State Building Code (effective January 1, 2026, based on the 2024 IBC/IRC/IMC/IFGC) supersedes earlier editions. Confirm with City Hall which code cycle is currently enforced.
Permit validity: One year from approval date.
Owner-builder: Not specified on city website. Contact City Hall.
Contractor requirements: ND Secretary of State contractor license required for jobs over $4,000. Electrical: ND State Electrical Board license. Plumbing: ND State Plumbing Board license.

Source: City of Oakes — City Hall (Building/Public Works) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Dependent on City Council meeting schedule. Contact (701) 742-2137 for next meeting date.

01

Download permit application from oakesnd.com/city-forms or pick up at City Hall.
02

Submit application at least one week before a City Council meeting to be placed on the agenda.
03

City Council reviews and approves or denies the application.
04

Exception: Fences, decks, and porches may begin construction with Public Works / Building Official approval, without waiting for full City Council approval.
05

Once approved, applicant must have the area staked/marked according to submitted plans for Building Official review.
06

Work must be completed within one year of the approval date. No work may begin until approval is granted.

Typical processing time: Dependent on City Council meeting schedule. Contact (701) 742-2137 for next meeting date.

Source: City of Oakes — City Hall (Building/Public Works) ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(701) 742-2137 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Typical sequence: Inspection requirements are not detailed on the city website. Contact City Hall or the Building Official to confirm inspection sequence and scheduling. ND State Electrical Board performs electrical inspections statewide. ND State Plumbing Board oversees plumbing inspections statewide.

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Oakes permits

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

Alterations or additions to permanent or accessory structures; new construction; concrete work; storage buildings; decks; fences; porches; renovations that change the original structural footprint.

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

To apply for a building permit in Oakes, ND, follow these steps: 1. Download permit application from oakesnd.com/city-forms or pick up at City Hall. 2. Submit application at least one week before a City Council meeting to be placed on the agenda. 3. City Council reviews and approves or denies the application. 4. Exception: Fences, decks, and porches may begin construction with Public Works / Building Official approval, without waiting for full City Council approval. 5. Once approved, applicant must have the area staked/marked according to submitted plans for Building Official review. 6. Work must be completed within one year of the approval date. No work may begin until approval is granted.

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

Building permit processing times in Oakes, ND typically run Dependent on City Council meeting schedule. Contact (701) 742-2137 for next meeting date.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in Oakes, ND? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Oakes, ND. The following work is generally exempt: Maintenance projects — siding, window replacement, door replacement.. Note: Confirm with City Hall whether other minor maintenance work is exempt. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Oakes, ND? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Oakes, ND via: (701) 742-2137.

last verified April 2026 source City of Oakes — City Hall (Building/Public Works) ↗ entry id permits/north-dakota/dickey/oakes

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Oakes — City Hall (Building/Public Works) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Oakes

Other jurisdictions in Dickey County.