On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Grand Forks County
Required for all structures within the county zoning jurisdiction, with the exception of agricultural buildings. This includes residential, commercial, and other non-agricultural construction in unincorporated areas.
Agricultural buildings are explicitly exempt from county building permit requirements in the unincorporated area.
Structures within incorporated city limits (handled by the respective city)
Structures within a city's extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction
- Exempt Agricultural buildings are explicitly exempt from county building permit requirements in the unincorporated area.
- Exempt Structures within incorporated city limits (handled by the respective city)
- Exempt Structures within a city's extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction
Note: Before constructing any structure in Grand Forks County, verify with the Planning and Zoning office that the property is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and not within a city extraterritorial zone.
Required documents
- Completed building permit application
- Building plans (submitted at time of application)
- Building code
- International Building Code (IBC) as amended by the State of North Dakota (North Dakota State Building Code, effective January 1, 2023). County enforces state code in unincorporated areas.
- Contractor requirements
- North Dakota state contractor licensing law applies; verify with county office.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Contact the Planning and Zoning office at (701) 780-8413 to confirm the property is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and not within a city extraterritorial zone.
- 02 Complete the building permit application form (available from the Planning and Zoning office).
- 03 Submit plans at the time of application — plans are required with the application.
- 04 Pay permit fee at submission ($75.00 plus $3.00 per $1,000 of building cost).
- 05 Permit is reviewed and issued by the Zoning Administrator (County Building Official).
- 06 Proceed with construction; schedule required inspections.
- 07 Final inspection upon completion.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Grand Forks County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$75.00
02
Permit fee formula
$75.00 flat base fee plus $3.00 per $1,000 of total building cost (valuation-based).
Contact office for accepted payment methods.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (701) 780-8413 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Standard county office hours.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Grand Forks County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND? ▸
Required for all structures within the county zoning jurisdiction, with the exception of agricultural buildings. This includes residential, commercial, and other non-agricultural construction in unincorporated areas.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $75.00. Fees are calculated as: $75.00 flat base fee plus $3.00 per $1,000 of total building cost (valuation-based)..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Planning and Zoning office at (701) 780-8413 to confirm the property is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and not within a city extraterritorial zone. 2. Complete the building permit application form (available from the Planning and Zoning office). 3. Submit plans at the time of application — plans are required with the application. 4. Pay permit fee at submission ($75.00 plus $3.00 per $1,000 of building cost). 5. Permit is reviewed and issued by the Zoning Administrator (County Building Official). 6. Proceed with construction; schedule required inspections. 7. Final inspection upon completion.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND. The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings are explicitly exempt from county building permit requirements in the unincorporated area.; Structures within incorporated city limits (handled by the respective city); Structures within a city's extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction. Note: Before constructing any structure in Grand Forks County, verify with the Planning and Zoning office that the property is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and not within a city extraterritorial zone. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grand Forks County, ND via: (701) 780-8413.
last verified April 2026
source Grand Forks County Planning and Zoning Department ↗
entry id permits/north-dakota/grand-forks/grand-forks-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Grand Forks County Planning and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.