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

Rules another office applies inside Ambrose

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

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Lots inside Ambrose city limits on which a private sewage treatment system is proposed.

  • The stated minimum applies to private treatment systems, not as a general zoning-district lot-size rule.
  • Zoning may require more than one acre.
  • If two or more lots are needed to total one acre, they must be replatted into one lot before the sewer permit is issued.

  minimum lot size for private treatment system: 1 acre (Except where zoning requires more.)

  “The minimum lot size in which a private treatment system may be installed is one (1) acre, except where zoning requires more.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Individual sewage treatment systems inside Ambrose city limits in Divide County.

  • The conclusion applies because Ambrose is in Divide County and UMDHU states that its regulations apply to all counties it serves.
  • The rules concern homes and other establishments where public sewage systems are not available.

  “The regulations will apply to all counties served by the Upper Missouri District Health Unit and will be enforced by said entity.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of an individual sewage treatment system inside Ambrose city limits.

  • A permit must be obtained before installation.
  • The district will refuse a permit where a public sewer is available.
  • A construction permit is valid for 12 months; if installation has not started within 12 months of approval, it is void and a new application is required.
  • UMDHU may require percolation or other tests under its supervision.

  permit validity: 12 months (Void if installation is not started within 12 months of approval.)

  “No installer and/or property owner will install an individual sewage treatment system in the district without first obtaining a permit from the UMDHU.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installation of an individual sewage treatment system inside Ambrose city limits.

  • No installation part may be covered before UMDHU inspection unless prior approval is granted.
  • The installer or owner must give at least two working days' advance notice that the system is ready for inspection.
  • A system with defects cannot be placed in service until defects are corrected or eliminated.

  advance inspection notice: >= 2 working days (Installer or owner must state the system is ready for inspection.)

  “No part of any installation will be covered until inspected by the UMDHU, unless prior approval has been granted.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private sewage disposal for buildings used for human occupancy inside Ambrose city limits where public or non-community sewer is unavailable.

  • Before construction, the master plumber, general contractor, or installer must apply to UMDHU for a written installation permit.
  • Where water under pressure is not available, human body wastes must be disposed of in approved privies, chemical toilets, or another installation acceptable to UMDHU.
  • A public or non-community system within 200 feet requires discharge into that system.

  “Where water under pressure is not available, all human body wastes will be disposed of by depositing them in approved privies, chemical toilets, or such other installations acceptable to the UMDHU.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Premises used for human occupancy inside Ambrose city limits when a public or non-community sewage system is available.

  • UMDHU deems a public or non-community sewage system available when the premise is within 200 feet (60.96 meters).
  • UMDHU requires discharge into that available system.
  • The source addresses sewage only, not a water-connection requirement.

  sewer availability distance: <= 200 feet (Equivalent stated as 60.96 meters.)

  “When a public or non-community sewage system is deemed available to a premise used for human occupancy if such premise is within two hundred feet [60.96 meters], the UMDHU will require that sewage be discharged into that system.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  UMDHU permits for individual sewage treatment systems inside Ambrose city limits.

  • UMDHU establishes, reviews, and may revise permit fees at its discretion.
  • The regulations do not state a dollar amount.

  “Permit fees will be established by the UMDHU and will be reviewed and revised at its’ discretion.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Application process for an individual sewage treatment system inside Ambrose city limits.

  • Application must be on a UMDHU-required form and include complete plans and specifications.
  • UMDHU may require supervised percolation or other pertinent tests.
  • The construction permit lasts 12 months from issuance and becomes void if installation does not start during that period.

  permit validity: 12 months (If installation is not started within 12 months of approval, a new application is required.)

  “Application for such a permit will be made upon a form required by the UMDHU and will include complete plans and specifications for the desired installation.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Ambrose city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Ambrose city limits.
• Building code adopted — Buildings inside Ambrose city limits.
• Inspections — Building construction inside Ambrose city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Ambrose 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.