County Building Permits
Oliver County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Oliver County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated properties in Oliver County, exclusive of incorporated cities or areas under their extended zoning jurisdiction.
- Department
- Oliver County Board of County Commissioners and Planning & Zoning Commission
- Address
- Oliver County Courthouse, Center, ND
- Phone
- (701) 794-8777
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County Website • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Complete Oliver County building/zoning permit application form
- Prepare scale drawing showing structure dimensions, lot lines, setbacks, and distance from lot lines
- Collect names and addresses of adjacent property owners
- Gather additional documentation as required (erosion/sediment control plan, performance bond authorization, sewer/water certification)
- Submit application and all required documents to Oliver County Courthouse
- Application reviewed by Planning & Zoning Commission (meets 4th Thursday of month, tentatively)
- For Conditional Use, Zoning Change, or Ordinance Amendments: application must be received minimum three weeks prior to next Planning & Zoning meeting for proper two-week public notice
- County Commission reviews Planning & Zoning recommendation and votes on permit
- Schedule inspections upon approval
- Proceed with construction
Typical processing time: Minimum 3 weeks if public notice required; variable for standard permits depending on meeting schedule.
Source: Oliver County Board of County Commissioners and Planning & Zoning Commission
General Requirements
All structures in unincorporated Oliver County require a permit, whether farm exempt or not.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Scale drawing with structure dimensions and lot lines
- Site plan showing setbacks and boundary lines
- Names and addresses of adjacent property owners
- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (if applicable for substantial land modification)
- Performance Bond authorization (if required by Board of County Commissioners)
- Sewer and water installer certification (if applicable for septic systems)
- Building code
- North Dakota State Building Code (2023 edition; effective January 1, 2026). Oliver County Revised Zoning Ordinance (2024).
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Oliver County Courthouse at (701) 794-8777 or Planning & Zoning Coordinator for current fee schedule and payment information.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Oliver County Board of County Commissioners and Planning & Zoning Commission to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (701) 794-8777 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Standard sequence: Footing and Foundation Inspections (prior to concrete placement or backfilling), Structural Framing Inspections (before wall closure), Final Inspection (prior to occupancy), Special Inspections for erosion control measures and drainage systems as required.
Additional Resources
- Building code: North Dakota State Building Code (2023 edition; effective January 1, 2026). Oliver County Revised Zoning Ordinance (2024).
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- North Dakota State Electrical Board
- North Dakota State Plumbing Board
- North Dakota DEQ - Stormwater Management
- North Dakota DEQ - Septic 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 Oliver County Board of County Commissioners and Planning & Zoning Commission before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oliver County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Oliver County, ND?
- All structures in unincorporated Oliver County require a permit, whether farm exempt or not.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Oliver County, ND?
- 1. Complete Oliver County building/zoning permit application form 2. Prepare scale drawing showing structure dimensions, lot lines, setbacks, and distance from lot lines 3. Collect names and addresses of adjacent property owners 4. Gather additional documentation as required (erosion/sediment control plan, performance bond authorization, sewer/water certification) 5. Submit application and all required documents to Oliver County Courthouse 6. Application reviewed by Planning & Zoning Commission (meets 4th Thursday of month, tentatively) 7. For Conditional Use, Zoning Change, or Ordinance Amendments: application must be received minimum three weeks prior to next Planning & Zoning meeting for proper two-week public notice 8. County Commission reviews Planning & Zoning recommendation and votes on permit 9. Schedule inspections upon approval 10. Proceed with construction
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Oliver County, ND?
- Typical processing time is Minimum 3 weeks if public notice required; variable for standard permits depending on meeting schedule..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Oliver County, ND?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (701) 794-8777.
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