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

Yes. A person planning a new residential structure in unincorporated Eddy County must obtain a permit from the County Tax Director before construction or excavation begins¹. The requirement covers new rural residential buildings or structures added to taxable property and the placement or relocation of mobile and manufactured homes¹. Replacing roofs, siding, windows or decks does not require this county building permit, and agland buildings are exempt¹. The residential application shows a $10 fee but also points to the county's resolution of fees and schedules, so confirm the current amount for the particular project¹. North Dakota's updated state building code took effect January 1, 2026, but we could not confirm which code Eddy County currently administers or what local inspections apply^4,7.

The Eddy County Tax Director administers the zoning code and assists the Zoning Commission and County Commission on zoning and development matters¹. The county's Zoning Commission contact is 701-947-2434 at 524 Central Avenue, New Rockford, North Dakota 58356⁴. Start there to confirm the parcel's zoning district, get the residential structure application and learn whether the project needs additional review^1,4. A complete application includes the legal description, a lot map, structure type and materials, occupied lot area, probable construction cost, and any additional plans or specifications requested by the Tax Director¹. The permit can be issued only when the proposal conforms to the applicable zoning and building provisions¹. We could not confirm a published inspection schedule or certificate-of-occupancy requirement; ask the Zoning Commission what inspections and closeout documents apply before work starts⁴.

Yes. Eddy County administers zoning in unincorporated territory through the County Tax Director and Zoning Commission, while municipal and township jurisdictions may have separate authority¹. The county ordinance does not affect property in a township that has lawfully enacted its own regulations unless the township relinquishes those powers to the county, so confirm the township first². The county maintains a zoning map and records for Residential, Agricultural, Recreational, Commercial, Industrial and Vacant categories¹. Buildings and structures near county and township rights-of-way must be set back at least 100 feet, including from county-road rights-of-way¹. Do not treat that road setback as the only siting rule: we could not confirm current numeric limits for minimum lot size, lot coverage or building height, so have the Zoning Commission check the district and parcel before designing the site⁴. County-road access also requires a County Commission permit, although farm driveways and field access points are exempt from that access provision¹. The Road Department's New Rockford shop is at 104 2nd Ave SE and can be reached at (701) 947-5518⁸.

An onsite wastewater installer in Eddy County needs a North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality license and a permit from the local public health unit before beginning work³. Lake Region District Health Unit's published procedure expressly covers Eddy County and directs applicants to complete the onsite sewage treatment system application with a legal description, contact information, a site drawing and payment⁹. After the application and payment arrive, the health unit grants only a preliminary permit; its process calls for site review and installer design approval before installation proceeds⁹. Contact Environmental Health at 701.662.7039 or crberg@nd.gov, 524 4th Ave. NE Unit 9, Devils Lake, ND 58301-2490⁹. Site evaluation matters because about 31.4% of Eddy County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field¹⁰. We could not confirm whether every installation receives an inspection or which off-grid sanitation alternatives are allowed; ask Environmental Health before choosing a system⁹.

We could not confirm whether unincorporated Eddy County allows or prohibits full-time RV occupancy on private land; ask the Eddy County Zoning Commission before arranging utilities or moving onto the parcel⁴. Ask separately whether an RV may be occupied temporarily during construction because the county's residential permit materials do not answer that question⁴. We also could not confirm a tiny-home occupancy rule or a countywide minimum dwelling size^2,4. A tiny home that functions as a new residence should not be assumed exempt: Eddy County's permit requirement covers new rural residential structures, and permits are issued only when the proposal conforms to zoning and building provisions¹. A new manufactured home has an additional state installation path requiring a licensed installer and licensed inspector¹¹. No owner-builder exemption from the county permit requirement was confirmed, so self-performing the work should not be treated as an exemption⁵.

1. Confirm that the parcel is under Eddy County zoning rather than a municipality or township with separate authority¹.

1. Call the Zoning Commission at 701-947-2434 to confirm the district, allowed residential use and required application^1,4.

1. Start the Lake Region District Health Unit septic application and site review before construction; the local permit is required before onsite wastewater work begins^3,9.

1. Prepare the legal description, lot map, structure details, occupied lot area, probable building cost, and any additional plans requested by the Tax Director¹.

1. If access connects to a county road, obtain the County Commission access permit and coordinate with the Road Department^1,8.

1. Submit the residential permit, confirm the applicable fee and wait for approval before construction or excavation¹.

1. Ask which inspections and final occupancy documents apply because no published county schedule was confirmed⁴.

Start with jurisdiction and the zoning map because municipal or township authority may replace the county process on some parcels¹. Confirm legal access and whether an existing approach has the required County Commission approval; farm driveways and field access points have a specific exemption, but a residential entrance should not be assumed exempt¹. Screen the parcel for flood risk with Eddy County Flood Plain Management at 524 Central Ave, New Rockford, phone (701)-302-8279; the office says work in a special flood hazard area is subject to flood-damage and safety requirements¹². Evaluate septic feasibility early because only about 31.4% of county soils avoid severe conventional-drain-field limitations¹⁰. For a private well, state water-appropriation permitting begins above 12.5 acre-feet per year, while qualifying lower-use wells must still be reported⁶. Budget for average annual precipitation of about 19.3 inches and carrying costs near a 0.9% effective property-tax rate with a median annual bill of about $1,027¹⁰.