Bolthole Index

McHenry County, North Dakota

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

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

Unincorporated McHenry County, North Dakota requires a county zoning permit to build or structurally alter a structure where county zoning applies, but a separate general building-code permit has not been confirmed1. County zoning does not cover cities with their own authority or the organized townships that exercise zoning authority23. First District Health Unit separately requires a septic permit before covered onsite-wastewater work begins4.

At a glance

Construction permit
County zoning permit required where county zoning applies; a separate general building-code permit is unconfirmed1
Zoning
Yes, with city, extraterritorial and organized-township exceptions23
Septic permit
Required through First District Health Unit before covered installation or repair work54
RV living
No private-land occupancy rule confirmed; ask the zoning authority for the parcel3
Tiny home
No special tiny-home or minimum dwelling-size rule confirmed; zoning still applies6
Agricultural building
County zoning protects qualifying agricultural use, while state code exemption excludes habitation and public use78
Private well
State appropriation permit applies above 12.5 acre-feet per year; qualifying lower-volume uses must be reported9

Who to call

Zoning

McHenry County Planning Commission (Zoning)

County zoning information, zoning permits, variances and conditional-use applications within McHenry County's zoning jurisdiction

Septic permits

First District Health Unit, Environmental Health Division

Onsite sewage treatment system permits and final inspections in McHenry County

701-852-1376

801 11th Ave. SW, Minot, ND 58701

Roads & driveways

McHenry County Road Department

Maintains the county road system and provides the county's utility-crossing permit form

(701) 537-5724

[email protected]

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 McHenry County, North Dakota?

McHenry County requires a zoning-permit application from anyone who wants to build or structurally alter a structure in the county's zoning jurisdiction1. The reviewed county materials do not confirm a separate, general building-code permit or a county building-code inspection program; the verified inspection authority is limited to compliance with county zoning permits and regulations10. North Dakota's current state code framework uses the adopted 2024 building-code editions and took effect in 2026, but state Community Services does not enforce that code; enforcement belongs to jurisdictions that elect to administer it1112. For a rural project, begin with McHenry County Planning Commission (Zoning), describe the parcel and proposed structure, and ask whether any building-code review applies in addition to the verified zoning permit13.

Who handles permits in McHenry County, and how do you reach them?

McHenry County Planning Commission (Zoning) is the first stop for construction in the county's zoning jurisdiction; its official page covers zoning guidance plus variance and conditional-use applications13. The page does not publish a verifiable office phone, email or street address, so use the linked county page to reach the commission rather than looking for a separate building department13. If the parcel lies in Norwich, North Prairie, Gilmore, Riga or Pratt Township, contact that township for zoning information because those organized townships exercise their own zoning authority3. First District Health Unit handles septic permits and inspections at 701-852-1376, 801 11th Ave. SW, Minot, ND 5870114. The McHenry County Road Department maintains the designated county road system and lists (701) 537-5724 and [email protected]; ask that department who controls an intended access point because a separate driveway rule was not confirmed15.

Does McHenry County, North Dakota have zoning?

Yes. McHenry County zoning establishes Agricultural, Rural Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Recreational and Residential districts within the county's jurisdiction6. County rules do not apply inside organized cities or areas where cities exercise extraterritorial zoning, except that Upham, Balfour and Voltaire asked the county commission to apply county zoning there2. County rules also exclude organized townships that exercise zoning authority, specifically Norwich, North Prairie, Gilmore, Riga and Pratt Townships3. That split makes the parcel's location decisive: ask the county commission or the applicable township or city to identify the governing district before choosing a house site13. The reviewed material did not confirm a countywide minimum dwelling size, a tiny-home category or a universal setback, so do not treat the absence of one published number as permission for a specific parcel6.

How do septic permits work in McHenry County?

First District Health Unit requires a permit to install or repair any part of an onsite sewage treatment system in McHenry County5. A septic permit is also required when a building will produce sewage or wastewater and no community septic system is available, and the permit must be received before work begins4. Before applying, mark site utilities, proposed building corners, the sewer stub-out, wells and property boundaries as required by the district process4. A licensed contractor or certified property owner may perform the installation, but a homeowner doing the work still needs the permit4. Schedule the final inspection before backfilling or covering the system; an uninspected and unapproved system is treated as illegal16. Only about 23.6% of mapped county soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility an early contingency17.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in McHenry County?

We could not confirm a McHenry County rule that allows full-time RV occupancy on private land, so ask the zoning authority governing the parcel before planning to live in an RV during construction3. North Dakota's camping limit for state-park campsites does not answer the private-land question18. We also could not confirm a special tiny-home category or a countywide minimum dwelling size; a proposed small home still has to fit the applicable zoning district and permit process61. Manufactured-home installation has a clearer statewide path: a new manufactured home used as a residence must be installed and inspected by state-licensed professionals19. McHenry County's ordinance separately treats mobile-home parks as conditional uses in Agricultural and Rural Residential districts, but those park standards do not establish permission for a single RV or tiny home on an ordinary parcel20.

Building a home in McHenry County: the steps in order

  1. Identify whether McHenry County, a city or an organized township controls zoning for the parcel; Norwich, North Prairie, Gilmore, Riga and Pratt Townships administer their own zoning3.
  1. Confirm the zoning district and submit the county zoning-permit application where county jurisdiction applies; the application calls for a legal description, preliminary property map, nearby structures, parking plan and other requested information1.
  1. Ask the zoning authority whether separate building-code review or inspections apply, because a general county building-code permit was not confirmed10.
  1. If there is no community sewer, obtain the First District Health Unit septic permit before system work begins4.
  1. Have the septic system inspected before it is covered and submit the required as-built form after installation16.
  1. Ask the McHenry County Road Department or the relevant road owner about access before constructing a new entrance, because a county driveway-permit rule was not confirmed15.

What should you check before buying land in McHenry County?

Start with jurisdiction: county zoning has city, extraterritorial and township exceptions, so the same proposed use may go to a different authority depending on the parcel23. Put a septic evaluation in the purchase contingency because only about 23.6% of mapped soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field17. Check flood exposure and drainage as well; county subdivision review considers floodplain relationships, soils, drainage and waste-disposal capacity, although a general local floodplain-development permit was not confirmed21. Confirm legal access and the road owner before closing, then ask the McHenry County Road Department about any county-road requirements15. For water planning, a North Dakota appropriation permit is required above 12.5 acre-feet per year, while qualifying domestic, livestock, wildlife and recreational uses below that threshold must be reported to the Department of Water Resources9. For budgeting context, the median property-tax bill is about $949 per year and the effective rate is about 0.7%2223.

Watch-outs

  • A county zoning permit is verified, but a separate general building-code permit and county building-code inspection program are not; ask Planning Commission (Zoning) what applies to the proposed structure11013.
  • County zoning does not govern every McHenry County parcel; cities, extraterritorial areas and several organized townships may have their own rules23.
  • Do not cover a new septic system before First District Health Unit's final inspection16.

Sources

  1. McHenry County North Dakota Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  2. McHenry County Planning Commission (Zoning), quoted and re-checked
  3. McHenry County Planning Commission (Zoning), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic (Onsite Wastewater) Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic (Onsite Wastewater) Systems, quoted and re-checked
  6. McHenry County North Dakota Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  7. McHenry County North Dakota Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  8. North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-21.3, State Building Code (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Water Appropriation Permits (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. McHenry County North Dakota Zoning Regulations, 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. McHenry County Planning Commission (Zoning) (mchenrycountynd.gov)
  14. First District Health Unit, Environmental Health Division (fdhu.org)
  15. McHenry County Road Department (mchenrycountynd.gov)
  16. Septic (Onsite Wastewater) Systems, quoted and re-checked
  17. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  18. Parks and Recreation FAQ (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Manufactured Home Installation Program (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. McHenry County North Dakota Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  21. McHenry County North Dakota Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: 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.

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County locator

McHenry County in North Dakota

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

How McHenry County scores

Seclusion87100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1999% ev.
Admin Boringness4590% ev.
Durability43100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost8096% 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 →

$157kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$1,533Land / acre
18"Annual rain
11.4% of yrsSevere drought
4.7 / yr (+4)Mid-century 100°F days
20.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.26" (+4.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.54×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,106Home insurance / yr
3.2% / yrInsurance growth
2.22%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
118,439People within 2 hr
1,684Radius comparison (15 mi)
2.7People / sq mi
24.6%Federal land
97.1%Land at 15% slope or less
23.6%Septic soil without severe limits
278,925 acWorkable land screen
2.8%Wooded land
11.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
40.3°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for McHenry County

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

McHenry County rules

  • InspectionsLimited

    Inspection for compliance with McHenry County zoning permits and regulations.

    • This claim concerns zoning-permit compliance inspections, not a separately verified building-code inspection program.
    “Inspection for permit compliance in accordance with these Zoning Regulations.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning regulations in McHenry County, subject to incorporated-city, extraterritorial, and organized-township exceptions.

    • The county page states that the regulations do not apply within organized cities or areas where cities exercise extraterritorial zoning authority, except Upham, Balfour, and Voltaire.
    • The regulations also exclude organized townships that have exercised zoning authority, including Norwich, North Prairie, Gilmore, Riga, and Pratt Townships.
    “These zoning regulations shall apply to all areas within the civil boundaries of McHenry County North Dakota; with the following exceptions:”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across McHenry County; authority varies between the county, incorporated cities, extraterritorial areas, and organized townships.

    • The county administers zoning in its jurisdiction, while organized cities and townships exercising zoning authority may administer their own rules.
    • The county page specifically identifies Norwich, North Prairie, Gilmore, Riga, and Pratt Townships as exercising township zoning authority.
    “Those areas within the civil boundaries of an organized township that has exercised their zoning authority, including Norwich, North Prairie, Gilmore, Riga and Pratt Townships.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts and their official boundaries in county zoning jurisdiction.

    • The ordinance identifies AG Agricultural, RR Rural Residential, CO Commercial, IN Industrial, REC Recreational, and RES Residential districts.
    • The ordinance states that district locations and boundaries are established on the zoning map.
    ““AG” Agricultural District “RR” Rural Residential District “CO” Commercial District “IN” Industrial District “REC” Recreational District “RES” Residential District”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile or manufactured homes in mobile-home parks and temporary housing camps.

    • Mobile-home parks are conditional uses in the Agricultural and Rural Residential Districts.
    • Mobile-home parks require at least 5 acres, and each mobile home must be on a lot at least 60 feet wide and 6,000 square feet.
    • Temporary housing camps require additional setbacks, utilities, health compliance, and permits.

    mobile-home park area: >= 5 acres (Park) · mobile-home lot width: >= 60 feet (Each mobile home) · mobile-home lot area: >= 6000 square feet (Each mobile home)

    “The park shall contain a minimum of 5 acres of land.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems in McHenry County administered by First District Health Unit.

    • FDHU serves McHenry County and the other counties named on its page.
    • The rule applies when an onsite sewage treatment system is installed or repaired, and when a building will produce sewage or wastewater without an available community septic system.
    “First District Health Unit (FDHU) requires a permit for the installation and/or repair of any part of an onsite sewage treatment system in Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan, or Ward Counties.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or repair of onsite sewage treatment systems and construction of buildings producing sewage or wastewater where no existing community septic system is available.

    • A permit must be received before any work on the system.
    • The application requires site utility flags and markings for proposed building corners, stub-out location, wells, and property lines or corners before submission.
    • Homeowners installing or repairing their own system must also obtain a permit.
    “A septic permit must be obtained from First District Health Unit when constructing a building that will produce sewage or wastewater, and no existing community septic system is available.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Final inspection of newly installed onsite sewage treatment systems in McHenry County.

    • The final inspection must be scheduled before backfilling or covering the system.
    • Without final inspection and approval, the system is considered unapproved and illegal.
    • The installer must submit an As-Built Form after installation.
    “A final inspection must be scheduled prior to backfilling or covering the new system.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable

    Use of land or buildings for agriculture and normal incidents of agriculture.

    • The exemption is stated in the county zoning ordinance and does not necessarily exempt construction from other state, health, septic, or safety requirements.
    “Nothing in this ordinance shall be applied for the purpose of preventing or restricting the use of land or buildings for agricultural or any of the normal incidents of agriculture.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Subdivision and development review where flooding or floodplain conditions affect suitability.

    • The subdivision regulations identify flooding and drainage as development constraints.
    • Floodplain relationship, soils, drainage, and waste-disposal capacity may be considered in determining whether a subdivision is premature.
    • No separate general floodplain-development permit requirement was verified.
    “level must be shown for the portion of the plat lying within the floodplain.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning permits, subdivision plats, conditional uses, variances, zoning amendments, and wind-energy facilities.

    • The schedule may be altered or amended only by the County Commission.
    • No action is taken on an application or appeal until applicable fees are paid in full.
    • The ordinance states that the schedule is posted in the County Auditor's office.

    zoning permit fee: 40 USD (Estimated value of improvements less than $10,000) · zoning permit fee: 100 USD (Estimated value of improvements more than $10,000) · subdivision plat fee: 1000 USD · conditional use or variance with structures: 100 USD (Plus fee for value of improvements) · conditional use or variance without new structures: 300 USD · conditional use requiring variance: 500 USD · zoning amendment fee: 200 USD (In addition to zoning fee) · wind energy facility fee: 1000 USD (Plus $300 per tower)

    “Less than $10,000 $40.00 More than $10,000 $100.00 Subdivision Plat $1,000.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning-permit applications for construction or structural alteration.

    • Applicants must submit a zoning-permit application to the Zoning Commission.
    • The application must include applicant information, date, legal description, preliminary property map, adjacent structures, parking plan, and any information reasonably requested.
    • Where applicable, the application must include evidence of compliance with state health and laboratories rules, a sewer permit, stormwater rules, and payment of the filing fee.
    • Maintenance that does not structurally alter a building does not require a zoning permit.
    • A zoning permit expires if no construction takes place within one year.
    “All applicants who wish to build or alter any structure as defined in these zoning regulations must file an application to the Zoning Commission for a permit.”
  • Building permitRequired

    McHenry County's Planning & Development / Planning & Zoning department issues building permits for unincorporated areas (residents and businesses apply via the county permit portal), indicating permits are required.

    McHenry County, North Dakota (official site) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

North Dakota rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    The North Dakota State Building Code, consisting of the IBC, IRC, IMC, and IFGC, with the 2024 updates and stated amendments effective statewide as the state code framework.

    • Community Services updates and amends the state code but does not enforce it.
    • The 2024 updates to the IBC, IRC, IMC, and IFGC, plus the 2024 IECC and IEBC versions and proposed amendments, were adopted on September 11, 2025.
    • The new North Dakota State Building Code went into effect January 1, 2026.
    • Appendix chapters are not part of the state building code unless specifically adopted.

    code versions adopted: 2024 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, and IEBC with proposed amendments · effective date: 2026-01-01

    “adopted the 2024 updates to the IBC, IRC, IMC, and IFGC and the proposed amendments.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 construction-permit requirements.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in unincorporated McHenry County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area for dwellings.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units.
3 more unanswered
  • 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 McHenry County, North Dakota

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

McHenry County scores 47/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,684 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (18″/yr rainfall).

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

McHenry County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by First District Health Unit (FDHU), Environmental Health Division. 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 McHenry County, North Dakota?

Land in McHenry County runs about $1,533 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in McHenry County?

McHenry County gets about 18" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.4% of years.

How remote is McHenry County?

A typical private-land location has about 1,684 people within 15 miles and 230,444 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in McHenry County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How McHenry compares in North Dakota

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