Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction and listed building-related projects inside Bismarck city limits.

  • The official list includes new construction, change of occupancy, additions, renovations, remodeling, electrical wiring, plumbing, and HVAC.

  “A permit is required for the following projects.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction regulated by the City of Bismarck Building Inspections Department inside city limits.

  • The page reports that the City is in the process of updating its current regulations to 2024 editions; this claim records the listed current adopted codes.

  International Building Code edition: 2021 · International Residential Code edition: 2021

  “2021 International Building Code (IBC) 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction projects inside Bismarck city limits.

  • The permit holder must notify Building Inspections when applicable work is ready.
  • A final inspection must be completed after all permitted work and before occupancy.

  “Inspections must be performed throughout a construction project as various phases of the project are completed.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Bismarck city limits.

  • The Land Development Code and zoning map became effective October 1, 2026.

  “A new zoning and subdivision ordinance, known as the Land Development Code, and a new zoning map has been adopted by the City Commission and became effective on October 1, 2026.”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Lots inside Bismarck city limits.

  • The Land Development Code establishes the allowable limit by zoning district.
  • An administrative adjustment may not increase lot coverage by more than five percent and requires specified City findings.

  maximum administrative adjustment: <= 5 percent (Subject to the listed stormwater and determination standards.)

  “The lot coverage would not increase by more than five percent.”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  RV use as a dwelling on private property inside Bismarck city limits while a principal single-family dwelling is under construction or remodeled.

  • One RV per principal dwelling; licensed, registered, and roadworthy; private property only; not a short-term rental; no outdoor storage except possible daily-use items.
  • Temporary-use permit, active building permit, and sewer/water or disposal plan are required.
  • Occupancy is limited to six months, subject to permit extension procedures.

  temporary occupancy limit: <= 6 months (Extension may be granted under Section 14-20-04.9.)

  “Temporary occupancy of a recreational vehicle is limited to six months.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes in the RMH-Residential Manufactured Housing district inside Bismarck city limits.

  • Homes must comply with HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards and bear a HUD certification label or have approved label verification.
  • Each manufactured home must connect to municipal water and sewer service.
  • The use remains subject to allowed-use provisions and City, state, and federal regulations and licensing requirements.

  maximum principal-structure height: <= 20 feet

  “Each manufactured home must be connected to municipal water and sewer service.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwelling units with a single-family or two-family dwelling inside Bismarck city limits.

  • No more than one ADU per single-family or two-family dwelling.
  • Principal-structure ADU floor area cannot exceed 40 percent of gross principal-structure floor area, excluding attached garage and specified storage/utility areas.
  • Accessory-structure ADUs on lots five acres or less must be 300 to 800 square feet; ADUs on lots over five acres may be up to 1,200 square feet.
  • Utility and underlying-lot-size conditions apply.

  ADUs per eligible dwelling: <= 1 ADU · ADU minimum area on lots five acres or less: >= 300 square feet · ADU maximum area on lots five acres or less: <= 800 square feet

  “No more than one ADU may be permitted per single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Bismarck city limits.

  • Inspection is after tank and chambers are placed and before backfilling.

  “Private sewage disposal systems shall be inspected after the tank and chambers have been placed and prior to backfilling.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Temporary RV dwelling use inside Bismarck city limits.

  • The applicant must provide an RV sewer-and-water connection exhibit, or a plan for sewage and water disposal at an RV dump station.
  • The RV use also requires a temporary use permit and an active building permit for work on the principal dwelling.

  “If the RV is not utilizing sewer and water connections, a plan for disposing of sewage and water at an RV dump station shall be provided.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Accessory dwelling units inside Bismarck city limits.

  • An ADU must connect to public utilities when available on the lot.
  • For an on-site sewage treatment facility, the applicant must demonstrate sufficient capacity.

  “An accessory dwelling unit must be connected to public utilities if available on the lot.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and new development inside Bismarck city limits.

  • All new development subject to site plan review or subdivision must comply with Chapter 14-11 improvements standards.

  “All new development subject to site plan review or subdivision shall comply with this section.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Construction, development, or land-disturbing activity in a special flood hazard area inside Bismarck city limits.

  • A development permit must be obtained before construction or development begins.
  • A development permit is also required before land-disturbing activity begins.
  • Application information may include plans and specified elevation, floodproofing, and watercourse information.

  “A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any special flood hazard area”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals inside Bismarck city limits.

  • The rental must be in a housing-unit type permitted in the zoning district.
  • One household may occupy the unit at a time.
  • No exterior signage or alteration is permitted; dwelling-type parking must be available; rentals are overnight accommodation only and may not be used for parties; residential noise limits apply.

  maximum consecutive rental period: < 30 days (The definition treats a rental of less than 30 consecutive days as a short-term rental.)

  “Short-term rentals may only be used for overnight accommodations and shall not be used for parties, as defined Section 14-23-02.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Select City permits, projects, and licenses inside Bismarck city limits.

  • Only select permits, projects, and licenses are stated to be available online.
  • The page links to an online application service and lists Building Inspections applications.

  “You may now apply and pay for select permits, projects, and licenses online without stepping foot in City Hall or mailing documents.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bismarck or Burleigh County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Bismarck city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Bismarck city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Principal single-family dwellings inside Bismarck city limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Bismarck city limits.
• Septic permit — Installation or alteration of an on-site sewage treatment system inside Bismarck city limits.

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.