Bolthole Index

Foster County, North Dakota

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

47Index Score / 100
#34 of 53 in North Dakota

Unincorporated Foster County, North Dakota requires a county permit before construction, reconstruction, relocation or alteration of a building or structure regulated by the Zoning Commission1. Foster County also has zoning, and Planning and Zoning administers the county's development regulations23. A local public-health permit is required before work begins on an onsite septic system4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before regulated construction, reconstruction, relocation or alteration1
Zoning
Yes; Foster County Planning and Zoning administers development regulations23
Septic permit
Start with the Foster County Health Office before installation45
RV living
Countywide long-term occupancy rule not confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning3
Tiny home
No specific occupancy rule confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning before buying3
Owner-builder
No exemption confirmed by county sources6
Private well
State appropriation permit applies above 12.5 acre-feet per year7
Floodplain work
A floodplain permit is required before work starts in regulated areas8

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Foster County Planning and Zoning

Building permits, county development regulations and zoning questions

(701) 652-3060

[email protected]

1000 5th St N, Carrington, ND 58421 (Foster County Courthouse)

Septic permits

Foster County Health Office

Starting the septic-permit process for Foster County projects

701-652-3087

881 Main Street, Carrington, ND 58421

Floodplain permits

Foster County Emergency Management / Floodplain Administration

Floodplain information and floodplain-development permits

(701) 652-2252

[email protected]

1000 5th St N Carrington, ND 58421

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Yes, for work governed by the county ordinance. In unincorporated Foster County, a person planning to construct, reconstruct or relocate a regulated building or structure, or alter one, must obtain a permit from the Zoning Commission before work begins1. Mobile and manufactured homes also need a county permit for placement or relocation9. Buildings governed by the ordinance are subject to the Uniform Building Code edition adopted by the County Commission, while the county ordinance controls if the two conflict10. North Dakota's state code framework took effect in 2026, but enforcement remains the responsibility of jurisdictions that elect to administer it1112.

Who issues Foster County building permits, and how do you reach them?

Foster County Planning and Zoning is the practical first stop for building permits and zoning questions because the board prepares, coordinates and implements the county's development regulations3. Call (701) 652-3060, email [email protected] or visit the Foster County Courthouse at 1000 5th St N, Carrington, ND 584213. The county page links the Foster County building-permit form and fee schedule3. Permit and plan-review charges are set by the enforcing jurisdiction rather than by one statewide North Dakota fee schedule13. The ordinance allows the Zoning Commission to inspect completed regulated work and issue a certificate of occupancy after confirming compliance, but it does not establish a universal inspection schedule1415.

Does Foster County have zoning?

Yes. Foster County Planning and Zoning prepares, coordinates and implements the county's development regulations23. North Dakota law authorizes a county commission to regulate building locations, land uses and occupancy through zoning based on a comprehensive plan, with rules that may differ among districts16. District details matter: in residential-community districts, buildings and structures may cover no more than 40% of a lot17. In residential-community and commercial districts, a structure over 35 feet generally requires a conditional-use permit, except metal towers such as windmills and antennas18. Foster County's materials do not confirm a countywide minimum dwelling size, accessory-dwelling rule or separate agricultural permit exemption, so ask Planning and Zoning how the parcel's district treats the proposed use3.

How do septic permits work in Foster County?

Start the septic-permit process with the Foster County Health Office at 881 Main Street, Carrington, ND 58421, or call 701-652-30875. A local public-health permit must be secured before work begins, and the installer must also hold a North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality license1920. Foster County-specific inspection requirements could not be confirmed, so ask the Health Office what site evaluation, design and inspection stages apply before hiring an installer. Soil conditions deserve early attention: about 46.1% of Foster County soils rate without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, meaning a standard field should not be assumed parcel-wide21. Off-grid sanitation alternatives also remain unconfirmed; clear the proposed system with the Health Office before designing the home or closing on land5.

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

Foster County's published materials do not confirm a countywide rule for long-term RV living, temporary camping on private land or tiny-home occupancy. Ask Foster County Planning and Zoning how the parcel's zoning district classifies the proposed dwelling before buying or moving anything onsite3. Do not use North Dakota's state-park camping limit as a private-land rule; that limit applies to state-park campsites and cabins, not private parcels22. A manufactured home is different from an RV or an undefined tiny home: Foster County requires a permit for its placement or relocation9. A new manufactured home used as a residence must also be installed by a state-licensed installer and inspected by a state-licensed inspector23.

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

  1. Call Foster County Planning and Zoning at (701) 652-3060 with the parcel location and proposed use, then confirm the zoning district and approvals that apply3.
  2. Prepare the building application before construction; regulated construction, reconstruction, relocation and alteration require prior county approval1.
  3. Contact the Foster County Health Office at 701-652-3087 to begin the septic-permit process before onsite-system work starts54.
  4. If the parcel is in a regulated floodplain, contact Emergency Management at (701) 652-2252 before starting work and obtain the applicable floodplain permit8.
  5. For a private well using more than 12.5 acre-feet annually, obtain a state water-appropriation permit; qualifying lower-use domestic wells must still be reported7.
  6. After construction, ask Planning and Zoning whether an inspection and certificate of occupancy will be required for the completed building15.

What should you check before buying land in Foster County?

Zoning comes first: confirm the parcel's district, allowed residential use, setbacks and any conditional-use approval with Foster County Planning and Zoning23. Check soils before assuming a conventional septic field will work, because about 46.1% of county soils rate without severe limitations for that use21. Ask the Health Office to explain the parcel-specific septic process and acceptable off-grid sanitation options5. For flood exposure, contact Foster County Emergency Management, which links the county floodplain-development permit8. Confirm legal road access as well; Foster County's building application requests access locations, but a separate driveway-approval rule could not be confirmed. For carrying costs, the county's effective property-tax rate is about 1.3%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,0922425.

Watch-outs

  • Do not begin regulated construction before Foster County issues the required permit1.
  • A parcel's zoning district can change the answer: residential-community lots have a 40% coverage cap, and some structures over 35 feet need conditional-use approval1718.
  • Long-term RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy and a county owner-builder exemption could not be confirmed; ask Foster County Planning and Zoning before relying on any of them63.
  • Floodplain work needs separate attention; Foster County Emergency Management provides the floodplain-development permit and can be reached at (701) 652-22528.

Sources

  1. Foster County Zoning and Floodplain Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  2. Foster County Planning and Zoning (2026 county census)
  3. Foster County Planning and Zoning (fostercounty.com)
  4. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Foster County Health Office (fostercounty.com)
  6. (2026 county census)
  7. Water Appropriation Permits (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Foster County Emergency Management / Floodplain Administration (fostercounty.com)
  9. Foster County Zoning and Floodplain Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. Foster County Zoning and Floodplain Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Codes | Commerce | North Dakota (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Codes (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Foster County Zoning and Floodplain Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  15. Foster County Zoning and Floodplain Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  16. North Dakota Century Code, Chapter 11-33, County Zoning (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Foster County Zoning and Floodplain Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  18. Foster County Zoning and Floodplain Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  19. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  20. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  22. Parks and Recreation FAQ (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Manufactured Home Installation Program (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

Written September 27, 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Foster County in North Dakota

47
County map
Foster County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Foster County scores

Seclusion89100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1799% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost8196% 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 →

$186kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$2,646Land / acre
19.6"Annual rain
10.1% of yrsSevere drought
2.9 / yr (+2.5)Mid-century 100°F days
18.9 daysMid-century dry spell
1.37" (+5.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.64×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,801Home insurance / yr
0% / yrInsurance growth
0.76%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
231People within 30 min
99,578People within 2 hr
3,627Radius comparison (15 mi)
5.2People / sq mi
15.2%Federal land
98.1%Land at 15% slope or less
46.1%Septic soil without severe limits
186,151 acWorkable land screen
0.9%Wooded land
7.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
40.3°FAvg temp

Scout Foster County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Foster County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Foster County

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

Foster County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, relocation, or alteration of a building or structure regulated by the Foster County Zoning Commission.

    • The permit must be obtained before proceeding with work.
    • Mobile homes and manufactured homes require permits for placement and relocation.
    “Any person or persons intending to construct or reconstruct or relocate a building or structure or make alteration shall, before proceeding with the work, obtain a permit from the Zoning Commission.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings regulated under the Foster County zoning ordinance.

    • The Uniform Building Code edition adopted by the County Commission is incorporated into the ordinance.
    • The ordinance supersedes the Uniform Building Code in the event of conflict.
    “The edition of the Uniform Building code as published by the International Conference of Building Officials and adopted by the County Commission, together with any amendments made hereafter are incorporated and made a part of this Ordinance.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Buildings, structures, and land uses subject to county zoning compliance review.

    • The ordinance says the Zoning Commission may inspect; it does not establish a universal inspection schedule in the cited passage.
    “The Zoning Commission may issue a certificate of occupancy upon inspection of the completed building”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Buildings, mobile homes, and manufactured homes subject to county zoning approval.

    • Issuance is discretionary under the ordinance.
    • A completed-building inspection and compliance with all ordinance provisions and conditions are required before issuance.
    “The Zoning Commission may issue a certificate of occupancy upon inspection of the completed building, including placement of mobile homes and manufactured homes and assurance that all provisions and conditions set forth by the authority of this Ordinance are met.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Residential-community zoning district.

    • The cited maximum applies to buildings or other structures on a residential-community lot.

    maximum building or structure intensity: <= 40 percent of lot area

    “The maximum intensity of buildings or other structures on any lot shall be 40 (forty) percent of the lot area”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential-community and commercial zoning districts.

    • Structures exceeding 35 feet require a conditional use permit in the residential-community and commercial districts.
    • Metal towers such as windmills and antennas are excepted from that conditional-use threshold.
    • Juanita Lake residential buildings have a separate 35-foot maximum.

    conditional-use threshold: > 35 feet (metal towers such as windmills and antennas)

    “Any structure exceeding 35 (thirty five) feet in height shall require a conditional use permit with the exception of metal towers such as windmills and antennas”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement and occupancy of mobile or manufactured homes in Foster County.

    • Manufactured homes must comply with the Manufactured Housing and Building Code.
    • A permit is required for placement and relocation.
    • A certificate of occupancy may be issued after inspection and compliance.
    “All mobile homes and manufactured homes are required to comply with the Manufactured Housing and Building Code and are required to obtain a permit from the Zoning Commission for placement and relocation thereof.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage treatment systems in Foster County.

    • North Dakota DEQ licenses installers statewide.
    • The local public health unit issues or administers the system permit.
    • The county building application directs applicants to the Foster County Health Office to begin the septic-permit process.
    “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 permitRequired

    Onsite sewage treatment system installation in Foster County where a local public health permit is required.

    • The permit must be secured before beginning work.
    • The county application states a permit process begins through the Foster County Health Office.
    “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.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    The county Planning and Zoning board prepares, coordinates and implements Foster County's development (zoning) regulations.

    Foster County Planning and Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

North Dakota rules that apply here

  • 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.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Buildings used for agricultural purposes under North Dakota's State Building Code.

    • The statute defines agricultural purposes to include agriculture, farming, ranching, dairying, pasturage, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, and animal and poultry husbandry.
    • The exemption does not apply when the building is a place of human habitation or is for use by the public.
    • The exemption is from Chapter 54-21.3, the State Building Code chapter; other applicable laws or local authorities may still apply.
    “Any building used for agricultural purposes, unless a place of human habitation or for use by the public, is exempt from this chapter.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Administration and enforcement of the North Dakota State Building Code by eligible city, township, and county jurisdictions.

    • A city, township, or county that elects to administer and enforce a building code must adopt and enforce the state building code.
    • Local jurisdictions may amend the state building code to conform to local needs.
    • A city or township may enforce only within its jurisdictional area; a county may enforce in areas where the state building code is not administered by a city or township.
    “Community Services is not involved in the enforcement of the State Building Code. This is the responsibility of jurisdictions that elect to adopt and enforce building codes.”
  • 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 exemptions from Foster County building or zoning requirements.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Foster County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land in Foster County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Foster County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Foster County.
5 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Driveway access

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 Foster County, North Dakota

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

Foster County scores 47/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 231 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (19.6″/yr rainfall).

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

Foster County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Central Valley Health District. 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 Foster County, North Dakota?

Land in Foster County runs about $2,646 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Foster County?

Foster County gets about 19.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.1% of years.

How remote is Foster County?

A representative private-land location has about 231 people within a 30-minute drive and 99,578 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 Foster County 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.

How Foster compares in North Dakota

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