County Building Permits
Golden Valley County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Golden Valley County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated properties within Golden Valley County.
- Department
- Golden Valley County Planning & Zoning Department
- Address
- Golden Valley County Courthouse, Beach, ND
- Phone
- (701) 872-2103
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County Courthouse (In-Person) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact Golden Valley County Planning & Zoning Department at (701) 872-2103.
- Obtain building permit application and zoning certificate forms.
- Complete application with project details, site plan, and construction plans.
- Submit application to Planning & Zoning Director for initial review.
- Director forwards application to Planning & Zoning Board for technical review.
- Planning & Zoning Board reviews application and submits recommendation to Board of County Commissioners.
- Application is placed on Planning & Zoning Commission agenda (deadline: 3 weeks prior to meeting).
- Planning & Zoning Commission meets last Monday of month at 3:00 PM in Commissioners' Room at courthouse.
- Board of County Commissioners provides final approval.
- Upon approval, obtain zoning certificate and schedule required inspections.
Typical processing time: 4-12 weeks (depending on meeting schedule and application completeness)
General Requirements
All new construction or change of use in unincorporated Golden Valley County requires a Zoning Certificate approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit and zoning certificate application
- Site plan showing property layout and proposed structure location
- Construction plans and architectural drawings
- Project scope and description
- Proof of property ownership or authorization
- Compliance statement with zoning ordinance
- Building code
- North Dakota State Building Code (if adopted locally); compliance with Golden Valley County Zoning Ordinance required.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Golden Valley County Planning & Zoning Department for current fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Golden Valley County Planning & Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM (contact for specific availability)
Typical inspection sequence: Standard North Dakota inspections expected: foundation/site preparation, framing, MEP rough-ins, and final inspection before occupancy. Contact county for specific sequence and scheduling.
Additional Resources
- Building code: North Dakota State Building Code (if adopted locally); compliance with Golden Valley County Zoning Ordinance required.
- Verify contractor license: ND State Electrical Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- ND State Plumbing Board
- ND DEQ Stormwater Permits (1+ acre projects)
- ND DEQ Onsite Wastewater Systems
- 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 Golden Valley County Planning & Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Golden Valley County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Golden Valley County, ND?
- All new construction or change of use in unincorporated Golden Valley County requires a Zoning Certificate approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Golden Valley County, ND?
- 1. Contact Golden Valley County Planning & Zoning Department at (701) 872-2103. 2. Obtain building permit application and zoning certificate forms. 3. Complete application with project details, site plan, and construction plans. 4. Submit application to Planning & Zoning Director for initial review. 5. Director forwards application to Planning & Zoning Board for technical review. 6. Planning & Zoning Board reviews application and submits recommendation to Board of County Commissioners. 7. Application is placed on Planning & Zoning Commission agenda (deadline: 3 weeks prior to meeting). 8. Planning & Zoning Commission meets last Monday of month at 3:00 PM in Commissioners' Room at courthouse. 9. Board of County Commissioners provides final approval. 10. Upon approval, obtain zoning certificate and schedule required inspections.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Golden Valley County, ND?
- Typical processing time is 4-12 weeks (depending on meeting schedule and application completeness).
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Golden Valley County, ND?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings (subject to state exemptions); Minor renovations not significantly altering property footprint or use; Temporary structures (verify scope with county); Structures specifically exempted under North Dakota State Building Code or local ordinance. Note: Exempt from building code does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Verify all exemptions with Golden Valley County Planning & Zoning Department before proceeding.
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