Unincorporated Stutsman County

Building permits required for most structural, mechanical, and utility work in unincorporated Stutsman County.

• 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.

Building code

North Dakota model building code (2024 IBC/IRC) applied selectively. Code adoption varies by township; verify local requirements before submittal.

Permit validity

Contact county office for permit validity period and renewal requirements.

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.

1. 01
   Contact Stutsman County Tax Equalization office or township zoning officer for your area.
2. 02
   Obtain the 'Application For Permit' form from county website or office.
3. 03
   Complete application with property details and project scope.
4. 04
   Submit application to Tax Equalization office or relevant township zoning officer.
5. 05
   Ensure property is in an approved subdivision per North Dakota Century Code.
6. 06
   County Board of Commissioners must approve subdivision plat before building permits can be issued.
7. 07
   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 ↗

• (701) 252-9032 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM

Typical sequence: Stutsman County does not provide electrical, plumbing, or mechanical inspections. These must be coordinated with North Dakota State Boards.