Bolthole Index

Pennington County, Minnesota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Numedal Township, Minnesota

For Numedal Township in Pennington County, Minnesota, we could not confirm which local office administers building permits or whether the township has its own zoning ordinance. Minnesota's building code is the statewide construction standard, but local administration matters before work begins.1 Pennington County administers the septic program, and county permits cover new and replacement systems.23

At a glance

Building permit
Required for covered work where the State Building Code is locally administered; confirm the serving official4
Zoning
No official Numedal Township zoning ordinance or no-zoning statement was confirmed5
Septic permit
Required for new or replacement systems through Pennington County's program3
RV living
Long-term occupancy and temporary-camping rules were not confirmed; ask the township clerk6
Tiny home
State construction standards apply, while local siting and zoning must be confirmed7
Owner-builder
A qualifying owner may be exempt from contractor licensing, not from permits or inspections8
Private well
A water-supply well generally needs a state notification before construction9

Who to call

Septic permits

Pennington Soil and Water Conservation District (SSTS Program)

Septic permits for installing, replacing or repairing a system in Pennington County

218-683-7075

201 Sherwood Ave S, Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Planning & zoning

Pennington Soil and Water Conservation District (Shoreland Program)

Shoreland permits and forms for buildings, additions, septic work, grading and filling

218-683-7075

201 Sherwood Ave S, Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Also useful

Pennington County Auditor-Treasurer's Office

General county administration and secretary to the county board; a starting point when the applicable building or zoning authority is unclear

218-683-7000

101 Main Ave N, Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Roads & driveways

Pennington County Highway Department (County Engineer's Office)

Approval for construction, driveways and culverts within Pennington County road right-of-way; online right-of-way, utility and oversize or overweight permit portal

218-683-7017

250 125th Avenue NE, Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Numedal Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Numedal Township, Minnesota?

Covered construction in Numedal Township requires an application to the building official and the required building permit where the Minnesota State Building Code applies.4 We could not confirm the building official serving Numedal Township or a township code-adoption ordinance, so confirm jurisdiction with the township clerk before beginning work. The State Building Code remains Minnesota's statewide construction standard for covered buildings, but municipal enforcement depends on local adoption or another statutory duty to enforce it.10

Do not read the missing local contact as a blanket permit exemption. Qualifying agricultural buildings are outside most State Building Code requirements, but that exception does not remove other applicable state inspections or local rules.11

Who issues building permits in Numedal Township?

We could not confirm an official page identifying a Numedal Township building department, contracted inspector or county building official for township parcels. Start with the Numedal Township clerk; Pennington County's shoreland office expressly tells Numedal property owners to ask the clerk about additional required permits.12 If the clerk cannot identify the responsible building official, the Pennington County Auditor-Treasurer's Office is secretary to the county board and is a practical county-government starting point.13

Ask the serving official for the building-permit application, fee schedule, plan requirements, inspection sequence and occupancy approval. Work requiring a State Building Code permit must remain accessible and exposed until the building official approves it.14 Covered buildings cannot be occupied until the building official issues the applicable certificate of occupancy.15

Does Numedal Township have zoning?

We could not confirm an official Numedal Township zoning ordinance, zoning map or statement that the township has no zoning. Pennington County has differing local arrangements, so another township's zoning ordinance does not establish Numedal Township's rules.16 Ask the Numedal Township clerk to identify the ordinance and zoning authority for the parcel, then request written answers about allowed use, setbacks, minimum lot size, building height and dwelling count.

That local answer matters for small homes and secondary dwellings. Minnesota guidance says local zoning determines whether a tiny home or accessory dwelling unit is allowed on a property.17 Tiny homes used as dwellings must also comply with applicable Minnesota residential construction standards.7

How do septic permits work inside Numedal Township?

Pennington County administers a septic program that complies with Minnesota rules, while any township septic ordinance must be at least as stringent as the county ordinance.2 The county program requires permits for new and replacement septic systems, and the Pennington Soil and Water Conservation District says permits are also required when a system is installed, replaced or repaired.318

New and replacement systems require a compliance inspection, with the manner and timing governed by the applicable local ordinance.19 Contact the district before fixing the house site or system design. Across Pennington County, no mapped soil share is rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so site evaluation should happen early.20

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Numedal Township?

We could not confirm a Numedal Township rule that allows or prohibits long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home siting or accessory dwellings. Ask the township clerk for the land-use rule governing the parcel before buying an RV or tiny home for residential use. State licensing rules for recreational camping areas do not, by themselves, answer whether one household may occupy an RV on private land.6

A tiny house used as a dwelling is subject to Minnesota construction standards and applicable local zoning.7 A new manufactured home installed for occupancy must receive the required installation inspection.21 Off-grid living does not eliminate wastewater rules; most subsurface sewage treatment systems require local permits, and non-sewered toilets do not remove graywater treatment requirements.2223

Building a home in Numedal Township: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Numedal Township clerk to identify the zoning authority, building official and parcel-specific land-use standards; the county shoreland office specifically directs Numedal owners to the clerk for other required permits.12
  2. Check shoreland and floodplain status. Shoreland construction, additions, septic work and substantial grading or filling can require county approval, and a compliant septic system is required before a shoreland permit is issued.12 A house, fill, culvert or bridge in a mapped floodplain requires a floodplain permit.24
  3. Confirm road jurisdiction. County right-of-way work needs County Engineer approval, while a state-highway driveway requires a MnDOT access permit.2526
  4. Obtain septic approval and file the required water-supply-well notification before construction.39
  5. Obtain the required building permit, schedule inspections and secure the applicable occupancy approval before moving in.41415

What should you check before buying land in Numedal Township?

Get written confirmation of zoning, setbacks, minimum lot size, dwelling type, RV occupancy and building-permit jurisdiction from Numedal Township before closing; those township-specific answers could not be confirmed. For wastewater planning, treat the soil rating as an early warning: across Pennington County, no mapped soil share is rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.20

Check whether the parcel is in shoreland, because county approval can cover buildings, additions, septic work, grading and filling, while Numedal Township may require additional permits.12 Check flood maps and the road owner as well: regulated floodplain work requires a floodplain permit, county right-of-way work requires County Engineer approval, and a state-highway driveway follows MnDOT's process.242526 Pennington County's effective property-tax rate is about 1.2%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,300.2728

Watch-outs

  • Do not assume that the absence of a published Numedal Township zoning page means the land is unrestricted; ask the township clerk for the parcel's governing ordinance and zoning authority.5
  • Pennington County's shoreland rules can require approval for buildings, additions, septic work, grading and filling, and Numedal owners are directed to the township clerk for other required permits.12
  • County-road right-of-way work needs County Engineer approval, while a state-highway driveway uses the MnDOT access-permit process.2526

Sources

  1. Overview of the Minnesota State Building Code (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Local septic system programs, quoted and re-checked
  3. Local septic system programs, quoted and re-checked
  4. Minnesota Rules 1300.0120, Permits (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. (2026 county census)
  6. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 327 (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Tiny Houses and the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. revisor.mn.gov (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Minnesota Administrative Rules, part 4725.1820 — Notification for Construction of Water-Supply Wells (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.121: State Building Code; application and enforcement (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 326B, Minnesota Statutes (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Pennington Soil and Water Conservation District (Shoreland Program) (penningtonswcd.org)
  13. Pennington County Auditor-Treasurer's Office (co.pennington.mn.us)
  14. Minnesota Rules 1300.0210, Inspections (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Minnesota Rules 1300.0220, Certificate of Occupancy (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. Smiley Township Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  17. Storage Sheds and the Minnesota State Building Code (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Pennington Soil and Water Conservation District (SSTS Program) (penningtonswcd.org)
  19. Minnesota Rules 7082.0700, Inspection Program for Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Manufactured home information (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. SSTS design (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Minnesota Administrative Rules, part 7080.2450 Maintenance (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Floodplain Regulations (Numedal Township), quoted and re-checked
  25. Pennington County Highway Department (County Engineer's Office) (co.pennington.mn.us)
  26. MnDOT Access Management Manual, Chapter 4 (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Numedal Township

Rules another office applies inside Numedal Township

Numedal Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, occupancy changes, and regulated building systems in Numedal township where the State Building Code applies.

    • The applicant must apply to the building official and obtain the required permit before work.
    • The rule contains permit exemptions, including specified accessory structures, fences, ordinary finish work, and other listed work; those exemptions do not authorize violation of the code or other laws.
    “An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any gas, mechanical, electrical, plumbing system, or other equipment, the installation of which is regulated by the code; or cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings inside Numedal township to the extent governed by the Minnesota State Building Code.

    • The statute states that the State Building Code applies statewide for covered buildings.
    • The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except for the specified state inspections/rulemaking and the stated skylight-support requirement.
    • The statute does not identify the building official or local enforcement jurisdiction for Numedal township.
    • The statute states that municipalities may choose to administer and enforce the code by ordinance when not otherwise required.
    “Although it isn't enforceable by municipalities unless it is adopted by local ordinance”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted — Buildings inside Numedal township governed by the Minnesota State Building Code.
      “The Minnesota State Building Code is the minimum construction standard throughout all of Minnesota including all cities, townships and counties.”
    • Partial — Buildings in Numedal township governed by the Minnesota State Building Code.
      “The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction or work in Numedal township for which a Minnesota State Building Code permit is required.

    • The work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection until approved.
    • The building official may accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals.
    “Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official and the construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of buildings and structures in Numedal township governed by the Minnesota State Building Code.

    • No building or structure may be used or occupied, and no occupancy classification changed, until the building official issues a certificate of occupancy.
    • A municipality may choose to require certificates of occupancy for U occupancies, accessory structures, or used manufactured homes as specified in the rule.
    • Existing legal occupancy may continue without change.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued before completion if the portion is safely occupiable.
    “No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building, structure, or portion of a building or structure shall be made until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy for the building or structure under this part.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New construction or replacement individual sewage treatment systems inside Numedal township.

    • A local unit of government must adopt and implement a construction inspection program.
    • Inspection must be performed by a qualified employee or licensed inspection business authorized by the local unit and independent of the owner and installer.
    • Compliant systems receive a certificate of compliance; noncompliant systems receive a notice of noncompliance.
    • The timing and manner of inspection may be determined by applicable local ordinance.
    “An inspection shall be required for all new construction or replacement of a system to determine compliance with applicable requirements. The manner and timing of inspection may be determined by the applicable local ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — All new construction or replacement of subsurface sewage treatment systems inside Numedal township.
      “An inspection shall be required for all new construction or replacement of a system to determine compliance with applicable requirements.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-supply wells proposed inside Numedal Township, including wells for irrigation, commercial use, residential supply, or a public water system.

    • Before construction, the owner, owner's agent, or specified contractor must submit a construction notification to the commissioner.
    • The notification requirement does not apply to monitoring wells regulated by part 4725.1830, dewatering wells regulated by part 4725.1825, or owner-installed drive-point water-supply wells for residential or agricultural use regulated by part 4725.1849.
    • A well must not be constructed, deepened through a confining layer, or have casing installed or removed below the frost line until notification is made to the commissioner.
    • Notification must be on the commissioner's form or approved format, legible, accompanied by the required fee, and signed by the certified representative of the licensee, property owner, or property owner's agent.
    • A notification is required for each well and is valid for 18 months from filing.

    notification validity: 18 months

    “The owner of the property where a water-supply well is to be located, the property owner's agent, a licensed well contractor, or for a drive-point water-supply well, a limited drive-point well or dug well/boring contractor must submit notification of construction of the proposed water-supply well to the commissioner according to this part.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Agricultural buildings inside Numedal township under the Minnesota State Building Code.

    • The State Building Code exception does not eliminate other applicable state inspections, rulemaking, or local requirements.
    “The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Building, fill placement, culvert, or bridge work in a mapped floodplain area within Numedal township.

    • Projects must comply with the community's floodplain management ordinance.
    • The local government is the permitting contact; for unincorporated county areas the county zoning authority generally handles permits, while some townships administer floodplain management if they have floodplain zoning.
    • The source states that construction and fill is generally permitted only in portions of the floodplain subject to the ordinance.
    “Construction and fill is generally permitted in portions of the floodplain, provided they adhere to their community’s floodplain management ordinance. Such projects as building a house, placement of fill, or installing a culvert or bridge would all require a floodplain permit.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Numedal Township or Pennington County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Numedal township.
  • Local zoning — Land inside Numedal township.
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts and zoning map for Numedal township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Numedal township.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Numedal township.
17 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Numedal Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Pennington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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