County Building Permits
Walsh County, ND - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Walsh County, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Administers zoning and land use regulations for unincorporated areas of Walsh County.
- Department
- Walsh County Planning & Zoning Department
- Address
- 2nd Floor, Walsh County Courthouse, 600 Cooper Avenue, Grafton, ND 58237
- Phone
- (701) 352-2380
- Website
- https://co.walsh.nd.us/
Application Process
- Contact Walsh County Planning & Zoning Department for project requirements
- Submit application with relevant plans and documentation
- County staff review and approval
- Applicant may need to coordinate with state agencies for septic/well systems (NDDEQ)
General Requirements
Building permits required for most structural work and additions. Zoning compliance verification required for unincorporated lands.
- Building code
- North Dakota State Building Code (2024 adoption effective January 1, 2026). Adopts International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), and International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC). Adoption is local option; verify with county office.
- Contractor requirements
- All electrical and plumbing contractors must be licensed under state law.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact county office for current fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Walsh County Planning & Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (701) 352-2380 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Handled by county building/zoning staff. Specific inspection requirements vary by project type.
Additional Resources
- Building code: North Dakota State Building Code (2024 adoption effective January 1, 2026). Adopts International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), and International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC). Adoption is local option; verify with county office.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- North Dakota State Plumbing Board
- North Dakota State Electrical Board
- North Dakota DEQ Water Quality
- North Dakota Building Codes
- 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 Walsh County Planning & Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Walsh County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Walsh County, ND?
- Building permits required for most structural work and additions. Zoning compliance verification required for unincorporated lands.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Walsh County, ND?
- 1. Contact Walsh County Planning & Zoning Department for project requirements 2. Submit application with relevant plans and documentation 3. County staff review and approval 4. Applicant may need to coordinate with state agencies for septic/well systems (NDDEQ)
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Walsh County, ND?
- The following work is generally exempt: Minor cosmetic repairs and alterations may be exempt; verify with county office. Note: Properties requiring septic systems fall under NDDEQ jurisdiction. All counties must enforce state electrical and plumbing contractor licensing requirements.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Walsh County, ND?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (701) 352-2380.
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