Bolthole Index

Barnes County, North Dakota

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City, North Dakota, in Barnes County, requires building permits for new homes and listed remodeling work; the city Building Inspector enforces the adopted state building code.12 Valley City sets its own zoning, while on-site wastewater installation requires a local public-health permit and state installer licensing.34 RV habitation is limited to a licensed campground or recreational vehicle park, or a temporary use permit.5

At a glance

Building permits
Required for new construction and listed remodeling; minor-work exceptions apply1
Zoning
City zoning applies inside city limits and the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction3
Septic permits
Local public-health permit before work; North Dakota DEQ licenses installers46
RV living
Licensed campground or RV park, or temporary use permit5
Manufactured homes
Only on parcels properly zoned and platted for that use7
R-1 setbacks
Front: 25 feet; rear: 25% of lot depth, at least 25 feet; side: 7 feet8
Floodplain development
City floodplain overlay standards and floodway obstruction permits apply9

Who to call

Building permits

Valley City Building/Fire Inspector

City building-code applications, building permits and inspections; contact the Building Official for construction review.

(701) 426-8823

[email protected]

220 3rd Street NE Valley City, ND 58072

Zoning

Valley City Planning & Zoning Commission

City zoning, variance, conditional-use, rezoning and plat/replat applications; phone is City Hall.

(701) 845-1700

Septic permits

City-County Health District

Local septic permit sales and environmental-health coordination with Central Valley Health District.

701.845.8518

415 2nd Avenue NE, Ste. 101 Valley City, ND 58072

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Valley City 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 Valley City, ND?

Valley City requires a building permit for new construction, finishing basements, garages, additions and structural interior renovations.1 The city’s list also covers HVAC systems, certain decks, porches, sidewalks and changes to window or door opening sizes.1 Storage sheds over 120 square feet require a building permit, while sheds of 120 square feet or less are listed as exempt.1 Painting, patios, sheetrock, re-siding and re-shingling are also listed among work needing no building permit.1 Separate plumbing and electrical permits apply to associated systems, so a building permit alone does not cover every part of a home project.1

Who issues building permits and handles zoning in Valley City?

The Valley City Building Inspector handles building-code applications, building permits and inspections; the city’s building page lists the Building Official’s contact details.10 Valley City enforces the state building code as adopted by the city.2 The city Planning & Zoning Commission page provides applications for variances, conditional-use permits, rezoning and plat/replat requests.11 Those are distinct from a building permit: plan for city zoning review as well as construction review when the proposed use or parcel arrangement requires it.312 On-site wastewater permits remain with the local public-health unit, with installer licensing through North Dakota DEQ.4

Does Valley City have zoning, and what are the setbacks?

Valley City has zoning districts, and its zoning ordinance also applies within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.3 In the R-1 Single-Family Residential District, the minimum front yard is 25 feet, the minimum rear yard is 25% of lot depth but at least 25 feet, and the minimum side yard is 7 feet.8 R-1 building coverage is limited to 30% of total lot area, with maximum impervious area separately listed at 40%.13 R-1 maximum building height is 35 feet, subject to the ordinance’s specified exceptions.14 These are R-1 standards, so ask city planning to identify the parcel’s district before using them to size a home or addition.38

How do septic permits work inside Valley City?

An on-site wastewater installation inside Valley City requires a local public-health permit before work begins; North Dakota DEQ handles installer licensing.64 City-County Health District makes septic permits available at its office and contracts with Central Valley Health District for environmental-health services.15 Start with that health district for the wastewater approval rather than treating a city building permit as septic approval.61 We could not confirm the city’s mandatory public water or sewer connection rule, private-well requirements or acceptable off-grid sanitation methods; ask the city Building Official and City-County Health District before committing to a home that depends on private systems.1015

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Valley City?

Valley City allows RV habitation only in a licensed campground or recreational vehicle park, or with a temporary use permit.5 Parking or storing an RV on private premises under the ordinance’s storage provision does not authorize living quarters there.5 A buyer planning to live in an RV while building should therefore resolve temporary-use approval with city planning before relying on the RV as housing.511 Mobile homes are allowed only on parcels properly zoned and platted for that use under the city zoning rules.7 We could not confirm a separate tiny-home occupancy rule or minimum dwelling size; ask city planning and the Building Official how the proposed dwelling would be classified.1110

Building a home in Valley City: what are the steps?

  1. Ask city planning to identify the zoning district and any needed use or plat approval; Valley City publishes zoning and plat/replat applications.31211
  2. Prepare a plot plan and detailed construction plans drawn to scale for new construction or additions, then submit the building permit application through the city or Midwest Inspection Services.16
  3. Obtain the local public-health permit before starting any on-site wastewater installation.6
  4. Wait for city approval, pay the invoice and sign the building permit paperwork before starting construction.16
  5. Schedule required construction inspections; work must not proceed or be covered until the requested inspection is signed off.17

What should you check before buying land in Valley City?

Valley City’s floodway and floodplain overlays impose additional development standards; floodway obstructions require a Flood Plain Administrator permit.9 Where base-flood-elevation data are provided, residential construction must meet the stated lowest-floor standard of at least 1 foot above base flood elevation.9 Sidewalk and driveway-approach work in a city right-of-way requires a city permit, and right-of-way concrete must be poured by a contractor with a current city license and bond.18 For land outside the city’s jurisdiction, consult the Barnes County guide: the county’s building-permit provisions apply in its unincorporated planning and zoning area.19 Do not substitute those rural rules for Valley City’s building permits, zoning or RV occupancy rules.135

Watch-outs

  • RV storage on a Valley City lot does not establish permission to live in the RV.5
  • We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption from Valley City building permits or inspections; ask the city Building Official before assuming self-built work is exempt.10
  • We could not confirm certificate-of-occupancy requirements; ask the Valley City Building Official what final approvals are needed before moving in.10

Sources

  1. General Building Permit FAQs (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Building/Fire Inspector (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  3. Title 11 - Zoning (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  4. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  5. Section 8-07-02. Parking; occupying mobile homes or recreational vehicles (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  6. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 8-07-02. Parking; occupying mobile homes or recreational vehicles (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  8. valleycity.us (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  9. Title 11 - Zoning (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  10. Valley City Building/Fire Inspector (valleycity.us)
  11. Valley City Planning & Zoning Commission (valleycity.us)
  12. Planning & Zoning Commission (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  13. valleycity.us (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  14. valleycity.us (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  15. City-County Health District (citycountyhealth.org)
  16. General Building Permit FAQs (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  17. General Building Permit FAQs (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  18. General Building Permit FAQs (Valley City), quoted and re-checked
  19. Barnes County Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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 Valley City

Valley City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New residential and commercial construction, remodeling, and listed construction activities inside Valley City city limits.

    • Permits are required for new construction, finishing basements, garages, additions, structural interior renovations, HVAC systems, certain decks, porches, sheds over 120 square feet, sidewalks, and windows or doors when changing opening size.
    • No permit is listed for several minor activities, including storage sheds 120 square feet or less, paint, patios, sheetrock, and re-siding or re-shingling.
    • Separate plumbing and electrical permits are required for associated systems.

    storage shed threshold: <= 120 sq ft (No building permit needed according to the FAQ.)

    “Permits are required for: [...] New Construction and/or Finishing Basements [...] NO Building Permit is needed for: [...] Storage sheds 120 sq. feet or less (no slab needed either)”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building-code enforcement inside Valley City city limits.

    • The city adopts the state building code and its Building Inspector enforces it.
    “the State Building Code as adopted by the City of Valley City.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Valley City city limits.

    • Inspections include footings, framing, insulation, rough-in, mechanical work, and final inspection.
    • No work may proceed or be covered until the requested inspection is signed off.
    “Their inspectors will inspect your work several times during the course of construction for things such as footings, framing, insulation, rough-in, mechanical work and building final inspection. You will need to contact their office to schedule an inspection; no work shall proceed or be covered until the requested inspection has been signed off.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land within Valley City city limits.

    • The ordinance also states that it applies to the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
    “dividing the City of Valley City into zoning districts.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    • Minimum front yard is 25 feet; minimum rear yard is 25 percent of lot depth but not less than 25 feet; minimum side yard is 7 feet.

    front yard: >= 25 ft · rear yard: 25% of lot depth, not less than 25 ft · side yard: >= 7 ft

    “f. Setbacks (i) Minimum front yard 25 feet (ii) Minimum rear yard 25% lot depth but not less than 25 feet (iii)Minimum side yard 7 feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    • The district table separately lists maximum impervious surface of 40 percent.

    maximum building coverage: <= 30 percent of total lot area

    “d. Maximum building coverage 30% of total lot area e. Maximum impervious area 40% of total lot area”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    • Height is measured from the average proposed finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof.
    • The ordinance contains exceptions for specified architectural and public or institutional features.

    maximum building height: <= 35 ft (Height exceptions in § 11-04-05.)

    “g. Maximum building height 35 feet Section 11-03-09. R-2 Two-Family Residential District.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of recreational vehicles on land inside Valley City city limits.

    • A recreational vehicle may be occupied for human habitation only in a licensed campground or recreational vehicle park, or with a temporary use permit.
    • Private-premises parking is subject to the chapter's conditions and no living quarters may be maintained while parked or stored under subsection c.
    • Emergency and seasonal street-parking exceptions are limited to 48 or 72 hours and include stated location conditions.

    emergency street parking: <= 48 hours (Subject to other traffic or parking limits.) · seasonal street parking: <= 72 hours (April 1 through September 30, directly in front of owner's residence, and not within 40 feet of specified intersections.)

    “may not be occupied or used for human habitation”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping on city property inside Valley City city limits.

    • Camping materials may be placed or stored on city property only at locations designated by the Board, unless an emergency declaration or special-event exemption applies.
    • The chapter does not apply to designated recreational areas and campgrounds operated by the local park district.

    removal notice: >= 48 hours (The notice period does not apply in specified illegal-activity, exceptional-emergency, or certain cemetery circumstances.)

    “the only locations where it is lawful to place camping materials”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile/manufactured-home occupancy inside Valley City city limits.

    • Mobile homes may be allowed only on parcels properly zoned and platted for that use, subject to Title 11.
    • The zoning use matrix identifies residential and mobile-home district limitations.
    “Mobile homes may be allowed on parcels of land that are properly zoned and platted for such use as allowed by Title 11.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and plat/replat activity inside Valley City city limits.

    • The city publishes a Plat/Replat Application and identifies Title 16 of the Valley City Municipal Code as Land Subdivision Regulations.
    “Valley City Municipal Code: Title 16 – Land Subdivision Regulations”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Sidewalks and driveway approaches located in a Valley City right-of-way.

    • A permit is required for sidewalk and approach work in the right-of-way.
    • The concrete must be poured by a contractor with a current city contractor license and city bond.
    “Permits are required and can be obtained from the Valley City office for these types of projects. All concrete that is located in the right of way must be poured by a contractor that has a current contractor’s license and is bonded within the city to pour said concrete.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in Valley City FW Floodway and FP Floodplain overlay districts and special flood hazard areas.

    • The overlay applies to lands shown on the city zoning map as FW or FP.
    • No structure or land may be used and no structure may be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance.
    • Floodway obstructions require a permit from the Flood Plain Administrator.
    • Residential construction in special flood hazard areas must meet the stated elevation standard where applicable.

    residential lowest floor elevation: >= 1 ft above base flood elevation (Where base-flood-elevation data have been provided.)

    “elevated on fill to at least one foot above the base flood elevation.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit applications inside Valley City city limits.

    • Applications may be obtained from the city or Midwest Inspection Services.
    • The city must approve the permit, invoice the applicant, receive payment, and obtain signed permit paperwork before work starts.
    • Complete and accurate applications may take up to a week, longer depending on complexity.
    • New construction and additions require a plot plan and detailed construction plans drawn to scale.

    typical processing time: up to one week (Longer depending on project complexity.)

    “Payment must be made and permit paperwork signed”

Rules another office applies inside Valley City

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

  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater systems inside Valley City city limits.

    • North Dakota DEQ licenses installers.
    • The local public health unit issues the local permit before work begins.
    • The official state source identifies the City-County Health Unit as serving Barnes County and Valley City.
    “obtain a license from the department [...] secure a permit from their local public health unit”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of an on-site wastewater treatment system inside Valley City city limits.

    • A permit from the local public health unit is required before beginning work.
    • The installer must also obtain the state DEQ license.
    “secure a permit from their local public health unit”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Valley City or Barnes County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemptions inside Valley City city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Valley City city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Valley City city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Valley City city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Valley City city limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

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 Valley City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Barnes County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Barnes County: county rules, score and offices