Bolthole Index

Adams County, North Dakota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Adams County, North Dakota

44Index Score / 100
#43 of 53 in North Dakota

Adams County, North Dakota requires a building permit, and its Tax Equalization & Zoning office starts county building-permit applications.12 County zoning applies in covered unincorporated areas, while a local public health permit is required before onsite wastewater work begins.34

At a glance

Building permit
Required; start with Tax Equalization & Zoning12
Zoning
Applies in covered unincorporated areas, with township and city-area exceptions3
Septic
Local public health permit required before work begins54
RV during construction
Conditional use for up to 1 year in the residential district6
Residential lot
Generally at least 1.5 acres and 150 feet wide, subject to exceptions7
Tiny home
No specific county occupancy rule confirmed; ask the zoning office2
Private well
State appropriation permit generally begins above 12.5 acre-feet per year8

Who to call

Building permits

Adams County Tax Equalization & Zoning

County building permit applications, conditional use permits and zoning variances

(701) 567-2990

[email protected]

602 Adams Avenue Suite 201, Hettinger, ND 58639

Septic permits

Southwestern District Health Unit — Adams County office

Local contact for onsite wastewater permitting and sewer system services

(701)567-2720

609 2nd Ave. North, Hettinger, ND 58639

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Adams County, North Dakota?

Yes. Adams County requires a building permit, and the county zoning office provides an Adams County building-permit application.12 The county ordinance also exempts land and buildings used for agriculture from most zoning regulations, but road setbacks and floodplain regulations still apply.9 North Dakota separately exempts an agricultural building from the state building-code chapter only when it is not a place of human habitation or used by the public.10

The county materials do not confirm a general inspection schedule, certificate-of-occupancy process, or locally adopted construction code for unincorporated Adams County, so ask Tax Equalization & Zoning what reviews apply to the proposed structure.2 North Dakota’s state code framework took effect in its updated form in 2026, but state Community Services does not enforce that code; enforcement belongs to jurisdictions that elect to administer it.1112

Who issues building permits in Adams County, and how do you reach them?

Adams County Tax Equalization & Zoning is the starting point for county building permits, conditional-use permits, and zoning variances.2 The office is at 602 Adams Avenue Suite 201 in Hettinger and lists (701) 567-2990 and [email protected].2 The county page also links the county building-permit application and county planning-and-zoning request application.2

Before filing, tell the office the parcel location, township, proposed use, building type, and whether the site is near a city boundary so staff can identify the correct zoning authority.3 Ask the office for the current fee because North Dakota leaves permit and plan-review fees to the applicable governing authority rather than setting one statewide schedule.13 Also ask which inspections and occupancy approvals apply, because a general county inspection schedule and certificate-of-occupancy rule could not be confirmed.2

Does Adams County have zoning?

Adams County has zoning for covered unincorporated land, but the ordinance excludes townships that have not relinquished zoning power to the county and certain areas tied to city extraterritorial zoning.3 The ordinance establishes Agricultural, Residential, Recreation, Commercial, Industrial, and Flood Plain districts, and the zoning map is kept in the County Auditor’s office.14 Confirm the parcel’s district and governing authority with Tax Equalization & Zoning before treating a rural address as county-zoned.2

In the residential district, a single-family dwelling lot generally must contain 1.5 acres and measure 150 feet wide, with exceptions for specified subdivisions and a requirement to meet state onsite-sewage standards.7 Buildings must generally sit 150 feet from section lines and county-road centerlines and 250 feet from a state-highway centerline.15 Accessory buildings are limited to 35 feet in height, must be smaller than the principal building, and must stand at least 25 feet from every lot line.16

How do septic permits work in Adams County?

Adams County is served by the Southwestern District Health Unit, and North Dakota requires a local public health permit before work begins on an onsite wastewater system.54 The health district’s Adams County office is at 609 2nd Ave. North in Hettinger and lists (701)567-2720.17 North Dakota also requires the installer to hold a state license and follow local codes.18

Only 11.2% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make the health-unit site review an early purchase contingency rather than assuming a standard system will work.19 The residential zoning rule also ties qualifying lots to state minimum onsite-sewage-disposal standards.7 A general individual-system inspection requirement could not be confirmed, so ask the health unit about the application, site evaluation, inspections, installer documents, and final approval for the specific parcel.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Adams County?

In the county residential district, an RV or mobile home may be used temporarily as a residence while a home is being built, but that use is conditional and occupancy may not continue longer than 1 year.6 That provision does not establish year-round RV living on otherwise vacant land, so ask Tax Equalization & Zoning for a written determination before relying on an RV as the primary residence.2

No county provision specifically addressing tiny-home occupancy or a minimum dwelling floor area could be confirmed.2 A tiny home still needs parcel-specific review for the building permit, zoning district, lot dimensions, setbacks, wastewater approval, and the legal classification of the unit.1147154 A new manufactured home installed for residential use in North Dakota must use a state-licensed installer and receive inspection by a state-licensed inspector.20

Building a home in Adams County: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Adams County Tax Equalization & Zoning to confirm which government controls zoning for the parcel, because county coverage has township and city-area exceptions.32
  2. Confirm the zoning district, allowed residential use, lot size, lot width, and required road and yard setbacks before finalizing a site plan.14715
  3. Submit the county building-permit application and any needed conditional-use or variance request through Tax Equalization & Zoning.2
  4. Contact the Southwestern District Health Unit and secure the local public health permit before onsite wastewater work begins.54
  5. Ask the zoning office which construction inspections and occupancy approvals apply, because those county procedures could not be confirmed.2
  6. If the dwelling is manufactured, use a licensed installer and obtain the required licensed inspection.20

What should you check before buying land in Adams County?

Start with jurisdiction: determine whether the parcel is governed by county zoning, township zoning, or city extraterritorial zoning.3 Then verify the mapped district, residential use, lot dimensions, setbacks, legal access, floodplain status, and the approvals needed for the intended structure with Tax Equalization & Zoning.147152

Treat wastewater feasibility as a major due-diligence item because only 11.2% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field.19 For a private well, North Dakota generally requires a water-appropriation permit when annual withdrawal exceeds 12.5 acre-feet, while certain uses below that threshold must still be reported to the Department of Water Resources.8 Adams County’s effective property-tax rate is about 1%, and the median annual property-tax bill is $1,106, but obtain the parcel’s current assessment and tax record before budgeting.2122

Watch-outs

  • County zoning does not necessarily control every unincorporated parcel because some townships retain zoning power and some city-adjacent areas may fall under extraterritorial zoning.3
  • An RV or mobile home used as a residence during home construction is a conditional use and is limited to 1 year in the residential district.6
  • Only 11.2% of Adams County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.19
  • The county materials do not confirm general building inspections, a certificate-of-occupancy process, or a specific tiny-home occupancy rule; ask Tax Equalization & Zoning before ordering a structure.2

Sources

  1. Adams County ND Tax Equalization / Zoning Department (2026 county census)
  2. Adams County Tax Equalization & Zoning (adamscountynd.com)
  3. Adams County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  4. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. Southwestern District Health Unit - Environmental Health (2026 county census)
  6. Adams County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  7. Adams County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  8. Water Appropriation Permits (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Adams County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-21.3, State Building Code (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Codes | Commerce | North Dakota (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Codes (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Adams County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  15. Adams County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  16. Adams County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  17. Southwestern District Health Unit — Adams County office (swdhu.net)
  18. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  20. Manufactured Home Installation Program (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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.

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County locator

Adams County in North Dakota

44
County map
Adams County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Adams County scores

Seclusion89100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1592% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability48100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost8096% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$140kTypical home
1%Property tax
$1,552Land / acre
16"Annual rain
16.7% of yrsSevere drought
7.2 / yr (+5.9)Mid-century 100°F days
22.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.28" (+5.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.36×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,070Home insurance / yr
-1.1% / yrInsurance growth
4.22%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
41,600People within 2 hr
1,949Radius comparison (15 mi)
2.2People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
95.2%Land at 15% slope or less
11.2%Septic soil without severe limits
70,984 acWorkable land screen
0.2%Wooded land
42.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Adams County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Adams County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning in unincorporated Adams County.

    • The ordinance excludes townships that have not relinquished zoning power to the county.
    • The ordinance excludes areas where incorporated cities have not elected to exercise extraterritorial zoning under NDCC Section 40-47-01.1.
    • Agricultural uses are generally exempt except for road setbacks and floodplain regulations.
    “These regulations shall apply to all unincorporated areas of Adams County, except those townships which have not by resolution relinquished the power to enact zoning regulations to the county, and those areas where the incorporated cities have not elected to exercise extraterritorial zoning as authorized by NDCC Section 40-47-01.1.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts in areas governed by the Adams County zoning ordinance.

    • The zoning map is on file in the County Auditor's office.
    • The Code Administrator updates the map for amendments.
    • The ordinance establishes Agricultural, Residential, Recreation, Commercial, Industrial, and Flood Plain districts.
    “The following zoning districts are hereby established to carry out the purposes of this code and found in the following sections: 5.1 Agricultural District 5.2 Residential District 5.3 Recreation District 5.4 Commercial District 5.5 Industrial District 5.6 Flood Plain District.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwelling lots in the county residential district, subject to stated subdivision exceptions.

    • The rule excepts dwellings in subdivisions existing when the code was adopted and subdivisions developed under Article VII.
    • The site must meet North Dakota State Health Department minimum on-site sewage-disposal standards.
    • Minimum lot width is 150 feet.

    minimum lot size: 1.5 acres (Existing subdivisions at adoption and Article VII subdivisions) · minimum lot width: 150 feet

    “The minimum lot size for single family dwelling units (excepting dwellings constructed in subdivisions existing at the time of the adoption of this code or developed pursuant to the provisions of Article VII, Subdivision Regulations) shall be one and one-half acres (65,340 square feet) provided that the site meets the minimum standards for on-site sewage disposal by North Dakota State Health Department. The minimum lot width shall be 150 feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Buildings, trees, and residential yards in areas governed by the county ordinance.

    • Buildings must be set back from section lines and county-road center lines.
    • State-highway setbacks are measured from the highway center.
    • Residential-district yard requirements also apply.
    • Agricultural uses remain subject to road setbacks.

    building setback from section lines and county-road centerline: 150 feet · tree planting setback from section lines and county-road centerline: 125 feet · building setback from state-highway center: 250 feet · residential front yard minimum depth: 70 feet (103 feet from roadway centerline) · residential side yard minimum width: 25 feet

    “The minimum setback for buildings from all section lines and the center line of county road shall be one hundred fifty (150) feet. The minimum setback for trees plantings from all section lines and the center line of county roads shall be one hundred twenty-five (125) feet. The minimum setback from the center of state highways shall be two hundred fifty (250) feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Accessory buildings and structures in county residential development provisions.

    • The height limit applies to accessory buildings.
    • Accessory buildings must be smaller than the principal building and must be at least 25 feet from all lot lines.

    accessory-building maximum height: <= 35 feet · accessory-building setback from lot lines: >= 25 feet

    “Accessory buildings shall be smaller than the principal building and shall be limited to thirty-five (35) feet in height and be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from all lot lines.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Recreational vehicles or mobile homes used as a temporary residence during construction of a residence on a site.

    • Occupation may not continue for longer than one year.
    • The use is listed as a conditionally permitted residential-district use.

    maximum temporary occupation: <= 1 year

    “Recreational vehicles or mobile homes to be temporarily used as a residence during the construction of a residence upon a site, but that no such occupation shall continue for longer than one year.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Land and buildings used for agricultural uses under the Adams County zoning ordinance.

    • Agricultural uses are exempt from the zoning regulations except for road setbacks and floodplain regulations.
    • The ordinance separately requires a building permit for construction unless the building or structure is directly used in farming operations and constructed by a qualifying farmer.
    “This ordinance shall not prohibit or prevent the use of land or buildings for farming or any of the normal incidents of farming. These regulations shall not apply to the land and buildings of agricultural uses, as herein defined, except for setbacks from roads and floodplain regulations.”
  • Building permitRequired

    The county Tax Equalization/Zoning office issues Adams County Building Permit applications and a Zoning Administrator handles building permits, conditional use permits, and variances.

    Adams County ND Tax Equalization / Zoning Department ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

North Dakota rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    The North Dakota State Building Code, consisting of the IBC, IRC, IMC, and IFGC, with the 2024 updates and stated amendments effective statewide as the state code framework.

    • Community Services updates and amends the state code but does not enforce it.
    • The 2024 updates to the IBC, IRC, IMC, and IFGC, plus the 2024 IECC and IEBC versions and proposed amendments, were adopted on September 11, 2025.
    • The new North Dakota State Building Code went into effect January 1, 2026.
    • Appendix chapters are not part of the state building code unless specifically adopted.

    code versions adopted: 2024 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, and IEBC with proposed amendments · effective date: 2026-01-01

    “adopted the 2024 updates to the IBC, IRC, IMC, and IFGC and the proposed amendments.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Factory-built modular residential or commercial structures manufactured in North Dakota or intended for placement in North Dakota, where the manufacturer produces two or more modular residential or commercial structures per year.

    • The manufacturer must contract with a third party for inspection during the manufacturing process in the factory.
    • The third-party inspector must be approved as a certified third-party inspector by the Division of Community Services.
    • The inspection covers applicable building, electrical, fire, and plumbing codes and standards.
    • When a certified third-party inspector monitors compliance during factory manufacturing, no further inspection by state or local building, electrical, fire, or plumbing inspectors may be required for that structure during the manufacturing process in the factory.
    • The statutory provision does not apply to a factory manufacturing fewer than two residential or commercial structures per year; the Commerce program page states that manufacturers producing less than two modular structures per year are exempt but must submit a yearly certification of exemption.

    annual modular structures produced: >= 2 structures/year (Factories producing fewer than two residential or commercial structures per year are exempt from the statutory provision; the Commerce program page requires a yearly certification of exemption.)

    “shall contract with a third party for the inspection of the structure for compliance with all applicable building, electrical, fire, and plumbing codes and standards”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    New manufactured homes installed in North Dakota for residential purposes.

    • Installation must be performed by an installer licensed by the Division of Community Services.
    • The home must be inspected by an inspector licensed by the Division of Community Services.
    • The installer must first apply for and receive authorization to install the home from a licensed inspector.
    • A minimum of two inspections are required on a double-wide home and one inspection on a single-wide home.
    • After installation meets the installation requirements, an insignia is attached to show the home passes inspections.

    minimum inspections for double-wide manufactured home: >= 2 inspections · minimum inspections for single-wide manufactured home: 1 inspection

    “All new manufactured homes installed in North Dakota for residential purposes must be installed by an installer licensed by the Division of Community Services and inspected by an inspector licensed by the Division of Community Services.”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    On-site wastewater treatment systems statewide in North Dakota.

    • The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality licenses onsite wastewater treatment system installers.
    • A local public health unit issues the system permit before work begins.
    • Installers must follow local codes.
    “The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality oversees the licensing of onsite wastewater treatment system installers”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of an onsite wastewater treatment system anywhere in North Dakota.

    • A permit from the applicable local public health unit must be secured before beginning work.
    • The installer must also obtain a state license from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
    • Installers must follow local codes.
    “Installers must obtain both a state license and a local public health permit before beginning work.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Private water-supply wells statewide in North Dakota.

    • A water appropriation permit from the North Dakota Department of Water Resources is required when annual withdrawal exceeds 12.5 acre-feet.
    • A permit is not needed for wells drawing less than 12.5 acre-feet per year, according to the official private-well guide.
    • For domestic, livestock, fish and wildlife, and recreational uses below 12.5 acre-feet per year, the location and capacity of constructed works must be reported to the Department of Water Resources.
    • Anyone hired to construct, install, or repair a well, pump, or pitless unit must be licensed; individuals may install or repair wells on their own property without a license.

    annual water withdrawal threshold: > 12.5 acre-feet per year (Domestic, livestock, fish and wildlife, and recreational uses below this threshold do not require a water appropriation permit but must be reported.) · annual water withdrawal threshold: > 4073137 gallons per year (Equivalent threshold stated by the Department of Water Resources.)

    “Domestic, municipal, public, livestock, fish and wildlife, and recreational water use exceeding 12.5 acre-feet (4,073,137 gallons or 96,979 barrels) per year.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction or modification of North Dakota water-control structures regulated by the Department of Water Resources.

    • A DWR construction permit is required when a water-control structure is capable of retaining, diverting, or obstructing more than 50 acre-feet for dikes, other devices, and low-hazard dams.
    • The threshold is more than 25 acre-feet for medium-hazard and high-hazard dams.
    • This claim does not establish the separate local floodplain-development-permit requirements administered by local floodplain administrators.

    retention/diversion/obstruction threshold for dikes, other devices, and low-hazard dams: > 50 acre-feet · retention/diversion/obstruction threshold for medium- and high-hazard dams: > 25 acre-feet

    “A construction permit is required from the DWR if a water control structure is constructed or modified”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Transient lodging rentals held out to the public for a charge in North Dakota.

    • A lodging license applies to buildings or structures held out to the public where sleeping accommodations are furnished to transient guests for a charge.
    • The lodging license does not apply to a single structure with five or fewer guest rooms and ten or fewer total occupants.
    • The lodging license also does not apply to a series or group of buildings or structures containing five or fewer guest rooms and ten or fewer total occupants.
    • License applications must be submitted at least 30 days before beginning construction or acquiring new ownership; new construction, renovation, or remodeling also requires the Section 3 Plan Review Checklist; after payment, review may take up to 30 calendar days.

    guest-room exemption threshold: <= 5 guest rooms or fewer (Only when total occupants are ten or fewer.) · occupant exemption threshold: <= 10 occupants or fewer (Only when the structure has five or fewer guest rooms.)

    “The lodging license does not apply to: Single structures with five or fewer guest rooms and ten or fewer total occupants.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building-permit fee schedules under the North Dakota State Building Code framework.

    • The applicable enforcing jurisdiction determines how it administers and enforces the state building code.
    • The state publication provides only a sample jurisdiction fee schedule, not a single statewide fee schedule.
    • Permit and plan-review fees are established by the applicable governing authority; plan-review fees are separate from and in addition to permit fees.
    “Where a permit is required, a fee for each permit and plan review shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as established by the applicable governing authority.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Administration and enforcement of the North Dakota State Building Code by eligible city, township, and county jurisdictions.

    • A city, township, or county that elects to administer and enforce a building code must adopt and enforce the state building code.
    • Local jurisdictions may amend the state building code to conform to local needs.
    • A city or township may enforce only within its jurisdictional area; a county may enforce in areas where the state building code is not administered by a city or township.
    “Community Services is not involved in the enforcement of the State Building Code. This is the responsibility of jurisdictions that elect to adopt and enforce building codes.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Camping at North Dakota state-park campsites and cabins administered by the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department.

    • Campsite and cabin occupancy is limited to no more than 14 nights in any 30-day period.
    • All vehicles entering a state park must have a valid daily or annual vehicle entrance permit, including overnight stays and day visits.
    • The cited rule concerns state-park facilities and does not determine camping on private land or land governed by local ordinances.

    maximum campsite or cabin occupancy: <= 14 nights in any 30-day period

    “Campsite and cabin occupancy is limited to no more than 14 nights in any 30-day period.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    North Dakota counties adopting zoning regulations for land and buildings within the county, including unincorporated areas.

    • The authority is exercised by the board of county commissioners.
    • Regulation is subject to North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-21.3.
    • The authority covers the location and use of buildings and structures and the use, condition of use, or occupancy of lands for residence, recreation, and other purposes.
    • County zoning regulations must be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan.
    • A county may divide all or any parts of the county into districts, and regulations must be uniform within each district but may differ between districts.
    • County zoning regulations must account for the statutory limitations governing farming, ranching, and animal feeding operations in section 11-33-02.1.
    • The board must state the grounds for approving or disapproving zoning amendments or variances, and written findings must be included in the records.
    • The board must establish zoning requirements for solid waste disposal and incineration facilities before July 1, 1994.
    • The board may impose tipping or other fees on solid waste management and incineration facilities, but may not impose a fee under this section on an energy conversion facility or coal mining operation that disposes of its waste onsite.
    • The board may establish institutional controls addressing environmental concerns with the department of environmental quality under section 23.1-10-16.
    “For the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, public convenience, general prosperity, and public welfare, the board of county commissioners of any county may regulate and restrict within the county, subject to chapter 54-21.3, the location and the use of buildings and structures and the use, condition of use, or occupancy of lands for residence, recreation, and other purposes.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in unincorporated Adams County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Adams County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in unincorporated Adams County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Adams County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Adams County.
1 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection

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.

Living off-grid in Adams County, North Dakota

Is Adams County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Adams County scores 44/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,949 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (16″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Adams County, North Dakota?

Adams County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Southwestern District Health Unit. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Adams County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Adams County is allowed on a temporary basis only: Recreational vehicles or mobile homes used as a temporary residence during construction of a residence on a site. Occupation may not continue for longer than one year. The use is listed as a conditionally permitted residential-district use. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Adams County, North Dakota?

Land in Adams County runs about $1,552 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Adams County?

Adams County gets about 16" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 16.7% of years.

How remote is Adams County?

A typical private-land location has about 1,949 people within 15 miles and 91,705 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Adams compares in North Dakota

Compare side-by-side →See all 53 North Dakota counties ranked →