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§ ND Wells County
City building permits

City of Cathay

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Cathay

Street address
Cathay, ND 58422
Coverage
All properties within the incorporated City of Cathay.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Cathay

Building permits may be required for construction and significant alterations.

Note: Cathay is an extremely small incorporated city (population 21). Builders should verify permit requirements with Wells County Planning and Zoning, as the city may not maintain independent permitting processes. All statewide licensing requirements for electrical and plumbing contractors still apply. Compliance with local zoning, septic systems, and well permitting as applicable.

Required documents
  • Permit application
  • Project documentation
Building code
North Dakota State Building Code (2020 International Building Code); enforcement left to local municipalities.
Contractor requirements
Electrical and plumbing contractors must be licensed by state boards.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Contact city or Wells County Planning and Zoning to determine permit authority
  2. 02
    Contact city government directly for permit application and requirements
  3. 03
    Complete permit application with project information
  4. 04
    Submit with required documentation
  5. 05
    City review and approval
  6. 06
    Permit issuance upon compliance
§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (701) 547-3220 (phone)

Typical sequence: Inspection procedures not documented. Contact city or county for details.

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Cathay permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Cathay, ND?
Building permits may be required for construction and significant alterations.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in Cathay, ND?
To apply for a building permit in Cathay, ND, follow these steps: 1. Contact city or Wells County Planning and Zoning to determine permit authority 2. Contact city government directly for permit application and requirements 3. Complete permit application with project information 4. Submit with required documentation 5. City review and approval 6. Permit issuance upon compliance
03 How do I schedule a building inspection in Cathay, ND?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Cathay, ND via: (701) 547-3220.
last verified April 2026 entry id permits/north-dakota/wells/cathay

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Cathay before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in Wells County.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

All Wells County jurisdictions →