Bolthole Index

Burleigh County, North Dakota

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

52Index Score / 100
#18 of 53 in North Dakota

The county-zoned portion of unincorporated Burleigh County, North Dakota requires a building permit before most residential, commercial or industrial structures are built, altered or moved1. A farm building on at least 10 acres may qualify for a permit exemption when it is used for usual farming purposes2. Zoning authority varies by location, and septic approval involves both local permitting and state installer licensing34.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most construction in county-zoned unincorporated areas1
Zoning
County rules apply in unorganized townships and townships that relinquished zoning authority3
Minimum lot to build (Ag District)
40 acres for an unplatted lot, or 35 acres for a qualifying aliquot part5
Septic
Local permit and inspection required; ND DEQ licenses installers46
Inspections
Foundation, framing, insulation, final and applicable septic inspections are required7
Occupancy
A new building cannot be occupied until its Certificate of Occupancy is issued8
Farm building exemption
Conditional for usual-purpose farm structures on at least 10 acres2
RV / tiny home living
No general private-land occupancy rule was confirmed; ask the zoning authority for the parcel3

Who to call

Building permits

Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department

Building, zoning, floodplain and septic/drainfield permits for unincorporated Burleigh County

(701) 221-3727

[email protected]

221 N 5th St, Bismarck, ND 58501

Online permits →

Building permits

Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department - Online Permits and Inspections

Online permit applications and inspection scheduling

Online permits →

Roads & driveways

Burleigh County Highway Department

Road approach (driveway) permits, right-of-way and utility permits on county roads

(701) 204-7748

[email protected]

8100 43rd Ave NE, Bismarck, ND 58503

Zoning

Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance (Building/Planning/Zoning Department)

Codifies zoning district rules, lot sizes, setbacks, building-permit and drainfield-permit requirements for unincorporated Burleigh County

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

The county-zoned portion of unincorporated Burleigh County requires a permit before a residential, commercial or industrial structure is built, altered or moved1. Routine maintenance or repair that does not alter structural strength, the plan or mechanical installations does not require that permit1. Burleigh County has adopted the North Dakota State Building Code by reference, subject to county deletions, modifications and amendments9. A building used for usual farming purposes on a farm of at least 10 acres may qualify for the agricultural permit exemption, but the exemption does not apply to non-farmers2. Outside a platted subdivision, the ordinance also ties new-building eligibility to a lot of at least 40 acres, or 35 acres for a qualifying aliquot part5. Permit and plan-review charges are set by the enforcing jurisdiction rather than one statewide schedule10.

Who is the Burleigh County building department and how do you reach them?

The Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department administers county building permits and publishes separate applications for residential building, septic, plumbing, manufactured-home, commercial-building and floodplain work11. Reach the department at 221 N 5th St in Bismarck, ND 58501, by phone at (701) 221-3727, or by email at [email protected]12. Applicants can use the Permit and Inspection Portal to apply, search permit data, upload documents, schedule inspections and review inspection reports11. Paper applications may also be delivered in person or sent by mail, fax or email11. An online permit is normally reviewed and issued within 24 to 48 hours, but online payment is not accepted13. The county office is the right starting point only where Burleigh County has jurisdiction; incorporated cities and townships retaining zoning authority may administer their own rules3.

Does Burleigh County have zoning?

Burleigh County zoning applies in unorganized townships and in townships that have relinquished zoning authority to the county; incorporated cities and townships retaining authority may use separate ordinances3. Within county jurisdiction, dimensional rules vary by district and use: setbacks, lot coverage and building height cannot be inferred from a countywide rule141516. For example, the cited Country Homes provision requires a front yard of at least 40 feet on interior subdivision streets14. An accessory dwelling unit is available by special-use permit in the Rural Residential and Agricultural districts, with one unit per parcel, one bedroom, owner occupancy for more than six months each year, and a usual size range of 300 to 900 square feet17. Lots greater than five acres may allow an accessory dwelling as large as 1,500 square feet17. Subdivision of land is also county-regulated outside cities and their extraterritorial jurisdictions18.

How do septic permits work in Burleigh County?

Septic approval in Burleigh County is shared: North Dakota DEQ licenses installers, a local public health permit is required before work begins, and the county Building/Planning/Zoning Department reviews and inspects systems for projects it administers4. A county drainfield application requires a soils report19. The county inspects the drainfield location, tank size and materials, verifies engineered systems against their design, and allows the system to be covered after inspection6. The ordinance provides an alternative based on 350 square feet of drainfield per bedroom under the North Dakota Plumbing Code and lists a $125 septic tank and drainfield inspection fee5. About 57% of Burleigh County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, but that countywide figure does not replace the parcel-specific soils report2019. Ask the county department which local public health unit must issue the permit for the parcel before installation begins4.

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

We could not confirm a general Burleigh County rule allowing long-term RV occupancy or temporary camping on private land. The county ordinance defines temporary housing to include certain transportable shelters left on the same premises for more than 30 consecutive days, but that definition alone does not establish where residential RV use is allowed5. The North Dakota state-park camping limit applies to state-park campsites and cabins, not private land21. We also could not confirm a special tiny-home occupancy rule or a general minimum floor area for a primary dwelling. A code-compliant small house would still face the building-permit, zoning-district, septic and occupancy requirements that apply to the parcel11448. Ask the parcel's actual zoning authority—not automatically the county—before relying on an RV during construction or buying a tiny home3.

Building a home in Burleigh County: the steps, in order

  1. Identify whether Burleigh County, a township or a city controls zoning for the parcel, then confirm the district, setbacks, lot coverage and height rules3141516.
  2. If the land is being divided outside a city or its extraterritorial area, complete the county subdivision process before treating a proposed tract as buildable18.
  3. Obtain written approval for the driveway approach from the County Engineer before the county building permit can issue22.
  4. Submit the appropriate application and documents through the county portal or by an accepted paper-delivery method11.
  5. Arrange the local septic permit and soils documentation before installation, using a state-licensed installer419.
  6. Request foundation, applicable septic, framing, insulation and final inspections as work advances; that responsibility belongs to the contractor or homeowner7.
  7. Do not occupy the new building until final approval produces a Certificate of Occupancy8.

What should you check before buying land in Burleigh County, North Dakota?

Confirm the zoning authority and district before assuming a rural parcel follows county rules3. Verify that the tract was legally created, because Burleigh County regulates subdivision outside incorporated cities and their extraterritorial areas18. Confirm a buildable driveway location early: the County Engineer's written approach approval is a condition of a county building permit22. A private well generally needs a state appropriation permit only when annual use exceeds 12.5 acre-feet, while smaller qualifying wells still must be reported23. About 57% of county soils are rated without severe limits for conventional drain fields, but the county process still requires site-specific soils documentation2019. Missouri River parcels can face setbacks of 100 feet from unstabilized banks or 75 feet from qualifying stabilized banks5. Burleigh County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.9%, and the median annual tax bill is about $2,7642425.

Watch-outs

  • County zoning does not cover every parcel in Burleigh County; incorporated cities and townships retaining authority may apply different rules3.
  • A farm-use building exemption is conditional, not a blanket rural exemption: the farm must contain at least 10 acres, the structure must serve usual farming purposes, and non-farmers still need permits2.
  • We could not confirm a general owner-builder exemption, long-term private-land RV rule, off-grid sanitation allowance or minimum size for a primary dwelling; ask the zoning authority and septic authority for the specific parcel before committing to those plans2634.

Sources

  1. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  2. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning & Zoning Commission | Burleigh County, quoted and re-checked
  4. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance (Building/Planning/Zoning Department) (burleigh.gov)
  6. Required Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  7. Required Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  8. Required Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  9. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Applications | Burleigh County, quoted and re-checked
  12. Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department (burleigh.gov)
  13. Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department - Online Permits and Inspections (burleigh.gov)
  14. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  15. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  16. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  17. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  18. Planning & Zoning Commission | Burleigh County, quoted and re-checked
  19. Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning FAQ (2026 county census)
  20. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  21. Parks and Recreation FAQ (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  23. Water Appropriation Permits (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  26. (2026 county census)

Written September 29, 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

Burleigh County in North Dakota

52
County map
Burleigh County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Burleigh County scores

Seclusion76100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency23100% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost74100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$374kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$1,991Land / acre
18.5"Annual rain
8.4% of yrsSevere drought
5.7 / yr (+4.9)Mid-century 100°F days
20.4 daysMid-century dry spell
1.34" (+6.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.54×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,287Home insurance / yr
1.7% / yrInsurance growth
0.78%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
1,334People within 30 min
261,216People within 2 hr
4,331Radius comparison (15 mi)
61.3People / sq mi
26.5%Federal land
95%Land at 15% slope or less
56.7%Septic soil without severe limits
575,681 acWorkable land screen
2.6%Wooded land
30.9 tonsBiomass / forest ac
41.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Burleigh County

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

Burleigh County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential, commercial, and industrial structures in the zoned unincorporated portion of Burleigh County.

    • A permit is required before a structure is built, altered, or moved.
    • No permit is required for maintenance or repair of existing structures that does not alter structural strength, plan, or mechanical installations.
    • A building permit is not required for a building or structure on a farm of ten acres or more used for usual farming purposes; permits are required for non-farmers.
    • Permit fees must be paid before issuance.
    “No structure of any kind used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes, including accessories thereto, shall hereafter be built, altered, or moved within the zoned area of the unincorporated part of Burleigh County until a building, alteration, or moving permit has been obtained from the office of the County Building Official.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings and structures within the zoning jurisdiction of the Burleigh County Commission.

    • The County adopted the North Dakota State Building Code by reference.
    • The County may delete, modify, or amend portions of the State Building Code.
    “There is hereby adopted by the County of Burleigh and incorporated by reference herein the North Dakota State Building Code except those portions hereinafter deleted, modified or amended”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction projects administered by the Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department.

    • Required inspections include foundation, septic when applicable, framing, insulation, and final inspection.
    • The contractor or homeowner is responsible for requesting required inspections.
    • Final inspection occurs immediately after completion of all work shown on approved plans.
    “Approval of your project requires a number of scheduled inspections performed by the Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department to insure compliance with the adopted building codes of Burleigh County.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New buildings and structures in the County building-permit jurisdiction.

    • A Certificate of Occupancy is required before occupying a new building.
    • Approval of the final inspection results in issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
    • Certificates are issued only for new buildings; a letter of completion may be issued for older buildings at the contractor's request.
    • The zoning ordinance separately requires Certificates of Occupancy for special and non-conforming uses.
    “A new building or structure cannot be occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the Building Official, which reflects the conclusion of the work allowed by the building permit.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate county-level conclusion for local zoning across Burleigh County, including county zoning jurisdiction, unorganized townships, townships that relinquished zoning authority, and incorporated municipalities.

    • The County has zoning jurisdiction in unorganized townships and townships that have relinquished zoning authority.
    • Incorporated cities and townships retaining authority may administer separate local zoning ordinances.
    “The County has zoning jurisdiction in unorganized townships and those townships which have relinquished their zoning authority to the County.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    County zoning districts, including the R1 Country Homes Residential district.

    • Setbacks vary by zoning district and use.

    R1 front-yard depth: >= 40 feet (Interior subdivision streets in the cited R1 provision.)

    “Each lot shall have a front yard not less than forty (40) feet in depth on interior subdivision streets”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Zoning districts and accessory-dwelling development governed by the County ordinance.

    • Lot-coverage standards vary by district and use.
    • Accessory-dwelling construction must comply with lot-coverage requirements of the underlying zoning district.
    “The ground area occupied by the principal and accessory buildings shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total area of the lot.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in County zoning districts.

    • Height limits vary by zoning district and use.
    • The ordinance states that height and size of buildings are regulated; accessory structures containing ADUs may be up to 25 feet.

    ADU accessory-structure height: <= 25 feet

    “The height of any accessory structure containing an accessory dwelling unit may be up to twenty-five (25) feet.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in the RI Rural Residential and A Agricultural zoning districts.

    • A special use permit is required.
    • No more than one accessory dwelling unit may be permitted per lot or parcel.
    • The principal or accessory dwelling must be owner-occupied for more than six months of each year.
    • The unit may have no more than one bedroom.
    • Units must meet stated size, setback, parking, utility, septic, and building-code requirements.
    • A building plan and, for new accessory structures, a site plan are required; septic-served units require Article 24 compliance documentation.
    • A signed no-conversion agreement must be recorded before building and special-use permits are issued.

    maximum units: 1 per lot or parcel · maximum external accessory-structure height: <= 25 feet · owner occupancy: > 6 months per year · maximum bedrooms: 1 bedroom · unit size: 300-900 square feet (Up to 1,500 square feet on lots or parcels greater than five acres.) · larger-lot maximum size: <= 1500 square feet (Lot or parcel must be greater than five acres.)

    “An accessory dwelling unit to a single-family dwelling is permitted as a special use within any R1-Rural Residential, and A-Agricultural zoning district subject to all requirements of the Burleigh County Ordinances, unless otherwise stated within this section.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater treatment systems in Burleigh County.

    • North Dakota DEQ licenses installers.
    • A local public health unit issues the permit before work begins.
    • Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning reviews applications and inspects septic tanks and drainfields for projects under its administration.
    “All installers must obtain a license from the department, which is issued at no cost, and secure a permit from their local public health unit before beginning work on a system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic tanks and drainfields installed under the County permit process.

    • The drainfield location, tank size, and materials are inspected.
    • Engineered septic systems are verified against their design.
    • The system may be covered after inspection is completed.
    “The location of the drain field, tank size, and materials used will be inspected. Engineered Septic systems will be verified to the design at this time. Once inspection has been completed, the septic system can be covered.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Buildings or structures on farms of ten acres or more used for usual farming purposes.

    • The exemption is from the County building-permit requirement.
    • It does not apply to non-farmers.
    • Other applicable regulations, including sanitation, state code, or local rules, may still apply.

    minimum farm area: >= 10 acres (The structure must be used for usual farming purposes.)

    “A building permit shall not be required for any building or structure located on a farm of ten (10) acres or more and used for the usual farming purposes as described herein. Building permits shall be required for non-farmers.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land outside incorporated cities and their extraterritorial areas.

    • The County's subdivision authority is countywide except for incorporated cities and their extraterritorial areas.
    • The County ordinance contains subdivision procedures, design standards, waivers, penalties, utility undergrounding, erosion control, and stormwater provisions.
    “Subdivision of all land not within the corporate limits or within the area of application of extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction of any city within the County shall be governed by Burleigh County”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Lots seeking a County building permit in the County zoning jurisdiction.

    • The County Engineer or approved representative must approve an approach permit in writing before a building permit is issued.
    • Subdivision roadways necessary for access must be constructed to County standards and approved in writing.
    “No building permit shall be issued until the County Engineer, or approved representative has approved in writing an approach permit for access to the lot upon which the permit is requested.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County permit applications administered by the Building/Planning/Zoning Department.

    • Applications may be submitted through the Permit and Inspection Portal.
    • Paper applications may be submitted in person, by mail, fax, or email.
    • The County publishes separate applications for residential building, building, septic, plumbing, manufactured-home, commercial-building, and floodplain permits.
    “You can apply for permits, search permit data, upload permit documents, schedule inspections, and review inspection reports from our Permit and Inspection Portal.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Burleigh County has an adopted county Zoning Ordinance (2024) administered by its Building/Planning/Zoning Department.

    Burleigh County Zoning Ordinance - amendments through January 1, 2026 ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

North Dakota rules that apply here

  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from building-permit or contractor requirements.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area for primary dwellings in Burleigh County zoning districts.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping outside an approved campground.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes in Burleigh County.
2 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup

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 Burleigh County, North Dakota

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

Burleigh County scores 52/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,334 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (18.5″/yr rainfall).

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

Burleigh County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning Department. 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.

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

Land in Burleigh County runs about $1,991 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Burleigh County?

Burleigh County gets about 18.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.4% of years.

How remote is Burleigh County?

A representative private-land location has about 1,334 people within a 30-minute drive and 261,216 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Burleigh compares in North Dakota

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