County Building Permits
Stutsman County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stutsman County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas within Stutsman County, subject to township zoning oversight.
- Department
- Stutsman County Tax Equalization and Zoning Department
- Address
- 511 2nd Ave SE Suite 102, Jamestown, ND 58401
- Phone
- (701) 252-9032
Application Process
- Contact Stutsman County Tax Equalization office or township zoning officer for your area.
- Obtain the 'Application For Permit' form from county website or office.
- Complete application with property details and project scope.
- Submit application to Tax Equalization office or relevant township zoning officer.
- Ensure property is in an approved subdivision per North Dakota Century Code.
- County Board of Commissioners must approve subdivision plat before building permits can be issued.
- Once subdivision approval obtained, building permit may be issued upon fee payment.
Typical processing time: 2-4 weeks depending on subdivision plat approval status and complexity.
Source: Stutsman County Tax Equalization and Zoning Department
General Requirements
Building permits required for most structural, mechanical, and utility work in unincorporated Stutsman County.
Required Documents
- Completed Application For Permit form
- Property description and legal description
- Subdivision plat approval documentation from Board of County Commissioners
- Project scope and construction plans
- Proof of property ownership or authorization
- Permit validity
- Contact county office for permit validity period and renewal requirements.
- Building code
- North Dakota model building code (2024 IBC/IRC) applied selectively. Code adoption varies by township; verify local requirements before submittal.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must comply with North Dakota building standards and provide required documentation.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must be licensed for specialty trades (electrical, plumbing) with state boards. General contractor licensing may be required depending on township.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Tax Equalization office at (701) 252-9032 for current fee schedule and payment methods.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Stutsman County Tax Equalization and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (701) 252-9032 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Stutsman County does not provide electrical, plumbing, or mechanical inspections. These must be coordinated with North Dakota State Boards.
Additional Resources
- Building code: North Dakota model building code (2024 IBC/IRC) applied selectively. Code adoption varies by township; verify local requirements before submittal.
- Verify contractor license: ND State Electrical Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- ND State Plumbing Board
- ND Department of Environmental Quality (Septic/Wastewater)
- 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 Stutsman County Tax Equalization and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stutsman County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stutsman County, ND?
- Building permits required for most structural, mechanical, and utility work in unincorporated Stutsman County.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stutsman County, ND?
- 1. Contact Stutsman County Tax Equalization office or township zoning officer for your area. 2. Obtain the 'Application For Permit' form from county website or office. 3. Complete application with property details and project scope. 4. Submit application to Tax Equalization office or relevant township zoning officer. 5. Ensure property is in an approved subdivision per North Dakota Century Code. 6. County Board of Commissioners must approve subdivision plat before building permits can be issued. 7. Once subdivision approval obtained, building permit may be issued upon fee payment.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Stutsman County, ND?
- Typical processing time is 2-4 weeks depending on subdivision plat approval status and complexity..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stutsman County, ND?
- The following work is generally exempt: Minor cosmetic improvements; verify with county zoning office.. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and subdivision plat requirements. All building in unincorporated areas must occur in Board-approved subdivisions per North Dakota Century Code.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stutsman County, ND?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (701) 252-9032.
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