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§ ND Stark County
County building permits

Unincorporated Stark County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority)

Street address
38 1st St W, Dickinson, ND 58601
Phone
(701) 456-7815
Coverage
All properties in unincorporated Stark County (administered by City of Dickinson).
Online portal
City of Dickinson Application Portal
Custom Portal
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Stark County

A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated Stark County.

Single-family dwellings and residential buildings with no more than two dwelling units are exempt from sprinkler requirements under North Dakota law.
  • 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.

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.

Source: City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 2-5 business days typical for plan review.

  1. 01
    Obtain Building Permit Application Form from City of Dickinson website or Stark County Planning & Zoning office.
  2. 02
    Ensure zoning compliance through Stark County Planning & Zoning review.
  3. 03
    Submit application with required documentation to City of Dickinson Building Department.
  4. 04
    Building Inspector schedules initial review.
  5. 05
    Inspections conducted at key construction phases.
  6. 06
    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) ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (701) 456-7815 (phone)
Inspection hours
Standard business hours. Contact for specific times.

Typical sequence: Standard phases include: footing/foundation, framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, and final inspection.

Source: City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority) ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Stark County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, ND? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated Stark County.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, ND? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, ND, follow these steps: 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.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, ND? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Stark County, ND typically run 2-5 business days typical for plan review.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stark County, ND? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stark County, ND? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stark County, ND via: (701) 456-7815.
last verified April 2026 source City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority) ↗ entry id permits/north-dakota/stark/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Dickinson Building Department (County Building Authority) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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