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

Wishek’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Exterior construction and structure changes inside Wishek city

  • Like-for-like replacements (shingles, siding, windows and doors, gutters, sidewalk/driveway, interior replacing or upgrades) need no fee and can be approved by the code administrator.
  • Additions and structure changes need planning committee approval; fees per city fee schedule.
  • Sec. 6.11 also requires a zoning permit before any structure is erected, moved, enlarged or converted.

  “approval needed for permits by planning committee any additions and or structure changes permit needed for anything exterior.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction inside Wishek city

  • Refers to the 'edition of the uniform building code' adopted by the city council; the specific edition is not stated and the code may be outdated.
  • The zoning ordinance supersedes the building code in a conflict.
  • Current state building code applicability not verified.

  “the edition of the uniform building code as published by the international conference of building officials and adopted by the city council, together with any amendments made hereafter are incorporated and made a part of this ordinance.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Wishek city limits (and one-mile extraterritorial area)

  • Ordinance also applies one mile outside the corporate limits (extraterritorial planning area).
  • Adopted under NDCC chapter 40-47; zoning map dated July 2000; adoption date not stated in the copy.

  “this ordinance shall be known, and may be cited and referred to as, the wishek zoning ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Wishek city zoning districts

  • Districts: A-1 agricultural, R-1 residential, R-3/R-2 trailer court (numbering inconsistent in text), C-1 commercial, I-1 industrial, P-1 public.
  • Zoning map dated July 2000 is on file with the city auditor.

  “the following zoning districts are hereby established. 6.41 a-1 agricultural district 6.42 r-1 residential district”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 residential district, Wishek city

  • Two-family units 10,500 sq ft; multi-family 25,000 sq ft per unit excluding yards; non-residential 20,000 sq ft.
  • Minimum lot width for single family 50 feet.

  minimum lot area, single family: >= 7000 sq ft

  “the minimum lot area in residential district for residential uses shall be: 1. seven thousand (7,000) square feet for single family units;”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — A-1 agricultural district, Wishek city (non-farm residential uses)

    “for non-farm residential uses the lot area shall not be less than two (2) acres.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  R-1 residential district, Wishek city

  • Additions to principal buildings in place before June 17, 2002 may use a 4-foot side yard or the existing side yard, whichever is greater (Sec. 6.42.7).

  front yard: >= 15 ft · rear yard: >= 20 ft · side yard each side: >= 8 ft

  “the minimum rear yard, measured from the rear lot line, shall not be less than twenty (20) feet.”

• Building heightSpecified

  A-1 agricultural district, Wishek city

  • Exception for church steeples and communication structures; heights for agriculturally related uses set by the planning commission.

  maximum height: <= 35 ft (or two and one-half stories)

  “the building height shall not exceed two and one half stories or thirty five (35) feet except for church steeples and communication structures.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — R-1 residential district, Wishek city, residential buildings

    “no residential building shall be more than two and one half (2 1/2) stores or thirty five (35) feet high.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Camping inside Wishek city, P-1 public district

  • Conditional use in the P-1 public district only; requires planning commission and city council approval after public hearing (Sec. 6.72).
  • Temporary periods only.

  “campgrounds, automobile camps, and trailer courts for temporary periods only.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes in the R-1 residential district inside Wishek city

  • Must be installed on permanent foundations or basements.
  • Mobile home parks in R-1 must meet Sec. 6.42.4 (3-acre minimum, permanent foundations, etc.).
  • Manufactured homes also need certificate/permit approvals per Sec. 6.63.

  “manufactured homes installed on permanent foundations or basements.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit applications inside Wishek city

  • Application must include a legal description and a lot map showing the building dimensions and location (Sec. 6.63.8).
  • Planning commission issues the permit if the proposal conforms to zoning and building provisions; denials may be appealed to the board of adjustment.

  “applications can be obtained from and returned to city hall.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Wishek city
• Inspections — Inspection of construction inside Wishek city
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Wishek city
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Wishek city
• Lot coverage — R-1 and A-1 districts, Wishek 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.