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§ ND Ward County
City building permits

City of Kenmare

How to apply for a building permit in City of Kenmare, North Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City Auditor's Office / Ward County Building Inspector

Street address
Kenmare City Hall, Kenmare, ND (or Ward County Courthouse for county permits)
Coverage
Building permits for Kenmare are issued by the City for incorporated areas and by Ward County Building Inspector Aaron Rust for unincorporated areas within Kenmare.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Kenmare

Building permits required for all new structures and significant alterations.

Note: Contact Kenmare City Auditor for details on any exemptions or special programs.

Building code
International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) as adopted by North Dakota (effective January 1, 2023).
Contractor requirements
Contractors must hold valid state license for jobs over $2,000. State-licensed contractors required for electrical and plumbing work.

Source: City Auditor's Office / Ward County Building Inspector ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Contact Kenmare City Auditor's Office for city permits
  2. 02
    For county permits, contact Aaron Rust
  3. 03
    Obtain and complete Building Permit Application and Building Permit Check List
  4. 04
    Submit to appropriate jurisdiction
  5. 05
    Schedule inspections by appointment

Source: City Auditor's Office / Ward County Building Inspector ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Kenmare building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$4.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction costs (Kenmare city permits)
02
Permit fee formula
$4.50 per $1,000 of construction valuation

Example: $50,000 project = $225 permit fee. Contact Kenmare City Auditor's Office or Aaron Rust for county permit fees.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Kenmare City Auditor's Office (city) or 701-857-6429 (county) (phone)
  • aaron.rust@wardnd.com (county permits) (email)

Source: City Auditor's Office / Ward County Building Inspector ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Kenmare permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Kenmare, ND?
Building permits required for all new structures and significant alterations.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Kenmare, ND?
Building permit fees in Kenmare, ND are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $4.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction costs (Kenmare city permits). Fees are calculated as: $4.50 per $1,000 of construction valuation.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Kenmare, ND?
To apply for a building permit in Kenmare, ND, follow these steps: 1. Contact Kenmare City Auditor's Office for city permits 2. For county permits, contact Aaron Rust 3. Obtain and complete Building Permit Application and Building Permit Check List 4. Submit to appropriate jurisdiction 5. Schedule inspections by appointment
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Kenmare, ND?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Kenmare, ND via: Kenmare City Auditor's Office (city) or 701-857-6429 (county), aaron.rust@wardnd.com (county permits).
last verified April 2026 source City Auditor's Office / Ward County Building Inspector ↗ entry id permits/north-dakota/ward/kenmare

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City Auditor's Office / Ward County Building Inspector before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.