County Building Permits
Stark County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Stark County (administered by City of Dickinson).
- Department
- City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority)
- Address
- 38 1st St W, Dickinson, ND 58601
- Phone
- (701) 456-7815
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Custom Portal • Account required: No • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Obtain Building Permit Application Form from City of Dickinson website or Stark County Planning & Zoning office.
- Ensure zoning compliance through Stark County Planning & Zoning review.
- Submit application with required documentation to City of Dickinson Building Department.
- Building Inspector schedules initial review.
- Inspections conducted at key construction phases.
- Final approval and permit issuance upon completion of all requirements.
Typical processing time: 2-5 business days typical for plan review.
Source: City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority)
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated Stark County.
Required Documents
- Completed Building Permit Application Form
- Site plan
- Building plans and specifications for residential and commercial structures
- Property owner identification and authorization
- Zoning compliance confirmation from Stark County Planning & Zoning
- For septic systems: North Dakota DEQ onsite wastewater permit
- For electrical work: Licensed contractor documentation
- For plumbing work: Licensed contractor documentation
- Building code
- North Dakota State Building Code (effective January 1, 2023; updated January 1, 2026)
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder exemptions may apply for certain residential projects. Consult Planning & Zoning.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors required for electrical and plumbing work per North Dakota State Electrical and Plumbing Board regulations.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact City of Dickinson Building Department at (701) 456-7815 for current fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (701) 456-7815 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Standard business hours. Contact for specific times.
Typical inspection sequence: Standard phases include: footing/foundation, framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, and final inspection.
Additional Resources
- Building code: North Dakota State Building Code (effective January 1, 2023; updated January 1, 2026)
- Verify contractor license: North Dakota State Electrical Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- North Dakota State Plumbing Board
- 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 City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stark County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, ND?
- A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated Stark County.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, ND?
- 1. Obtain Building Permit Application Form from City of Dickinson website or Stark County Planning & Zoning office. 2. Ensure zoning compliance through Stark County Planning & Zoning review. 3. Submit application with required documentation to City of Dickinson Building Department. 4. Building Inspector schedules initial review. 5. Inspections conducted at key construction phases. 6. Final approval and permit issuance upon completion of all requirements.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, ND?
- Typical processing time is 2-5 business days typical for plan review..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stark County, ND?
- The following work is generally exempt: Single-family dwellings and residential buildings with no more than two dwelling units are exempt from sprinkler requirements under North Dakota law.. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with City of Dickinson Building Department or Stark County Planning & Zoning before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stark County, ND?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (701) 456-7815.
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