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

Kulm’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, adding to, structurally altering on the exterior, or demolishing buildings or structures inside Kulm city

  • Applies when value exceeds $500.00
  • Fences always require a permit
  • Permit issued by city council; auditor administers
  • Permit good for one year
  • Application needs a scaled plot plan
  • Text is in a file labeled 2016 first draft; confirm adoption

  value threshold: > 500 USD (fences require permit regardless)

  “no building or other structure shall be erected, added to, structurally altered on the exterior or demolished, when the value of such exceeds the sum of $500.00, until a permit therefore has been issued by the city council.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Kulm city limits

  • The PDF on the city's site is labeled '2016 first draft'; its chapter six opens with a note that it is a broad outline of model zoning ordinances, so adoption status of the exact text should be confirmed with the city auditor.
  • Chapter six includes a Planning and Zoning Commission, use districts R-1, R-2, R-3, C and I, and a Board of Adjustment.

  “the boundaries of these districts are hereby established as shown on a map entitled "the zoning map of the city of kulm" which is on file in the office of the city auditor.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Use districts inside Kulm city limits

  • Zoning map is on file with the city auditor; not seen online.

  “the city is hereby divided into the following use districts to be known as: r-1 residential districts, single-family r-2 residential districts, two-family r-3 residential districts, multi-family c commercial districts i industrial districts”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Residence buildings in any use district inside Kulm city (incl. R-1 single-family)

  • Expressed as a minimum of two lots, not a square-footage figure
  • Applies to erecting, establishing or altering a residence building

  minimum parcel: >= 2 lots

  “in any use district no residence building shall hereafter be erected, established or altered on a parcel of land consisting of less than two lots.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit applications inside Kulm city

  • Fee shown in the city ordinance file labeled 2016 first draft

  building permit application fee: 25 USD

  “a fee of $25.00 shall be due at the time an application for a building permit is made under this section.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permits inside Kulm city

  • Application needs scaled plot plan; permit valid one year; no certificate issued where chapter provisions are unmet

  “the city auditor, subject to the approval of the city council, shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, including the receiving of applications, the inspection of premises and the issuing of building permits.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Kulm city
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Kulm city
• Inspections — Inspections inside Kulm city
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy certificates inside Kulm city
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwelling size inside Kulm city

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.