Bolthole Index

McKenzie County, North Dakota

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Watford City, North Dakota

Watford City, North Dakota requires building permit applications for new construction, with review through the city Building Department.1 Watford City sets zoning within the city and its extraterritorial area; septic systems need a separate permit from Upper Missouri District Health Unit, which serves McKenzie County.234

At a glance

Building permits
City applications required for new construction1
Zoning
City districts apply inside Watford City and its extraterritorial area2
Septic permits
Upper Missouri District Health Unit; approval before system work begins43
Agricultural buildings
A-1 exempts specified non-permanent agricultural structures, but not dwellings or barns5
Residential lot size
R-1 detached homes: minimum 7,200 square feet and 60-foot lot width6
RV camping
Street and alley occupancy prohibited except specified servicing activities; public camping requires authorization7

Who to call

Building permits

Watford City Building Department

City building-project review and inspections, including the extraterritorial area

(701) 444-8414

[email protected]

213 2nd St NE PO Box 494 Watford City, ND 58854

Building permits

Watford City Building Department — Applications and Records

Building application instructions and links to applications and permit records

Zoning

Watford City Planning & Zoning Department

City zoning maps, ordinances and planning applications

(701) 444-8406

[email protected]

213 2nd St NE PO Box 494 Watford City, ND 58854

Septic permits

Upper Missouri District Health Unit — McKenzie County Office

Septic-system permitting for McKenzie County, including Watford City

701-444-3449

McKenzie County Courthouse 201 5th St NW Suite 1100 Watford City, ND 58854

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Watford City, ND?

Watford City requires building permit applications for new construction, and the city Building Department reviews projects requiring a building permit against city standards and adopted building codes.18 Watford City is listed as a city building-code enforcement jurisdiction under North Dakota’s State Building Code framework.9

Agricultural zoning does not make a home permit-free: in Watford City’s A-1 district, dwellings, roadways, pole buildings, barns, shops and garages require city permitting and inspections.10 The A-1 exemption covers fences, paddocks, corrals, grain bins and other non-permanent, traditionally agricultural structures.5 If the project’s permit status is unclear, ask City Officials before starting.11

Who handles Watford City building permits and zoning?

The Watford City Building Department reviews and inspects building projects in the city and its extraterritorial area; reach the building office through the contact listed below.8 For district maps, zoning ordinances and planning applications, use Watford City’s Planning & Zoning Department.12 Septic-system permitting remains a separate matter for Upper Missouri District Health Unit, rather than the city building counter.4

The city’s building application and records page links to building permit applications and permit records, and each application states its own submittal requirements.1 Use the current application version and wait for city staff review before submitting payment.1

Does Watford City have zoning, lot sizes and setbacks?

Watford City divides land within the city and its extraterritorial area into zoning districts, so identify the parcel’s district before choosing a home or site layout.2 The city Planning & Zoning Department provides zoning maps and ordinances.12

For a detached single-family dwelling in Watford City’s R-1 district, the minimum lot area is 7,200 square feet and the minimum lot width is 60 feet; the district’s maximum building height is 35 feet.613 Watford City’s A-1 district instead specifies a 10-acre minimum lot area, 30-foot setbacks for all yards measured from building line to lot line, and maximum lot coverage of 50 percent.141516 Those district-specific standards should not be treated as a citywide residential lot requirement.614

How do septic permits work inside Watford City?

An onsite wastewater system in Watford City requires a permit from the local public health unit before system work begins, and North Dakota DEQ licenses installers.317 Upper Missouri District Health Unit identifies itself as the septic permitting authority for McKenzie County, and its environmental-health page provides applications, contractor lists and system regulations.4

Ask the health unit about the proposed system and ask city Planning & Zoning about public sewer availability before committing to a septic-based building plan.412 We could not confirm Watford City’s general public-water or sewer connection requirement, private-well approval requirements, or whether an off-grid sanitation proposal would be acceptable; resolve those questions with the city and the health unit before buying.124

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Watford City?

Watford City prohibits camping on public or park property unless expressly authorized, and prohibits occupying camping trailers, motor homes, travel trailers or truck campers on streets or alleys except for cleaning, stocking, loading, unloading or regular maintenance.7 Those public-property and street rules do not establish permission to live in an RV on a private residential lot.7

We could not confirm Watford City’s private-lot RV occupancy rule, a distinct tiny-home occupancy rule, accessory-dwelling authorization or a minimum dwelling floor area; take the proposed use and parcel to Planning & Zoning and the Building Department before choosing a trailer or house design.128 A small house proposal still needs a district and building-code review rather than an assumption that small size removes city oversight.28

Building a home in Watford City: what are the steps?

Use this order to identify the city approvals and the separate wastewater decision before construction.8123

  1. Ask Watford City Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel’s district and review the intended use against the city zoning map and ordinance.122
  2. Use the current city building application and assemble the submittals stated in that application; wait for staff review before sending payment.1
  3. If the home will use septic, obtain the Upper Missouri District Health Unit permit before system work begins and use a DEQ-licensed installer.43
  4. Coordinate building review and inspections with the Watford City Building Department; ask the office to confirm required inspections and occupancy documentation for the particular project.8

What should you check before buying in Watford City?

Confirm city or extraterritorial jurisdiction before choosing an approval path: the Watford City Building Department says its work covers the city and its extraterritorial area, and city zoning also covers that area.82 For land outside the city’s jurisdiction, consult the McKenzie County guide for the county’s building and zoning answers.1819

Ask Watford City Planning & Zoning about the proposed use, lot dimensions, water and sewer service, access and any floodplain review before making the purchase dependent on a particular design.12 We could not confirm the city’s building fee schedule or certificate-of-occupancy requirements; ask the Building Department for a project-specific fee estimate and completion requirements.8 Septic questions should go separately to Upper Missouri District Health Unit.4

Watch-outs

  • Watford City’s A-1 agricultural exemption does not exempt dwellings, pole buildings, barns, shops or garages from city permitting and inspections.5
  • Most Watford City building permits are valid for 6 months; renewal after expiration carries an additional fee.1
  • We could not confirm private-lot RV living, tiny-home occupancy or a building-permit exemption for owner-builders in Watford City; ask the city Building Department and Planning & Zoning Department before relying on those options.812

Sources

  1. Watford City Building Department — Applications and Records (cityofwatfordcity.gov)
  2. Section 1-7. Establishment of Districts (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  3. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  4. Upper Missouri District Health Unit — McKenzie County Office (umdhu.org)
  5. Section 3-2. A-1, Agricultural District (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  6. Section 3-4. R-1, Single-Family Dwelling District (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 4-1802. Prohibited Camping (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  8. Watford City Building Department (cityofwatfordcity.gov)
  9. Building Codes (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  10. Section 3-2. A-1, Agricultural District (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  11. Section 3-2. A-1, Agricultural District (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  12. Watford City Planning & Zoning Department (cityofwatfordcity.gov)
  13. Section 3-4. R-1, Single-Family Dwelling District (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  14. Section 3-2. A-1, Agricultural District (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  15. Section 3-2. A-1, Agricultural District (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  16. Section 3-2. A-1, Agricultural District (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  17. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (Watford City), quoted and re-checked
  18. McKenzie County Land Development Ordinance, Section 5-18 (2026 county census)
  19. McKenzie County Land Development Ordinance (2026 county census)

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Watford City

Watford City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and structures in the A-1 Agricultural District inside Watford City city.

    • Fences, paddocks, corrals, grain bins, and other non-permanent, traditionally agricultural Structures are exempted.
    • Dwellings, roadways, pole Buildings or barns/shops/Garages require City permitting and inspections.
    • Property owners unsure whether a permit is required must inquire from City Officials.
    “require City permitting and inspections.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Watford City city building-code enforcement.

    • The state page says jurisdictions that adopt and enforce building codes must adopt the State Building Code.
    • The state code-enforcement directory lists Watford City with a city code-enforcement contact.
    “If a city, county, or township elects to adopt and enforce building codes, it must adopt and enforce the State Building Code.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings and structures in the A-1 Agricultural District inside Watford City city.

    • The same agricultural-structure exceptions applicable to permits apply.
    “require City permitting and inspections.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Watford City city and its extraterritorial area.

    • The ordinance divides land into base and special districts.
    “land within Watford City and its area of Extraterritorial Area is hereby divided into Districts.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family detached dwellings in the R-1 Single-Family Dwelling District.

    • The R-1 district schedule also specifies a 60-foot minimum lot width.

    minimum lot area: >= 7200 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 60 feet

    “Minimum Lot Area: 7,200 square feet Minimum Lot Width: 60 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Development in the A-1 Agricultural District.

    • All yard setbacks are measured from the Building Line to the Lot Line.
    • Maximum height is 50 feet if within 100 feet of any Residential District besides R-4.

    all yards: 30 feet

    “All Yards: 30 feet *Note: All Yard Setbacks are measured from the Building Line to the Lot Line.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Development in the A-1 Agricultural District.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 50 percent

    “Maximum Lot Coverage: 50 percent All Yards: 30 feet”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Development in the A-1 Agricultural District.

    • Maximum height is 50 feet if within 100 feet of any Residential District besides R-4.

    maximum height: <= 75 feet (50 feet if within 100 feet of any Residential District besides R-4)

    “Maximum Height: 75 feet; 50 feet if within 100 feet of any Residential District besides R-4, as measured from the Building Line to the boundary of the Residential District.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping on public property, park property, public streets, and authorized campgrounds inside Watford City city.

    • Camping on public or park property is prohibited unless expressly authorized by Article 4-18 or City Council resolution.
    • Occupancy of camping trailers, motor homes, travel trailers, or truck campers on streets or alleys is prohibited except for cleaning, stocking, loading, unloading, or regular maintenance.
    • Private campground use is subject to Section 6-21.
    “No person may Camp or establish any Campsite in or upon any Public Property or Park Property”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    New construction, repair, or replacement of specified traditionally agricultural structures in the A-1 Agricultural District.

    • The exemption applies to fences, paddocks, corrals, grain bins, and other non-permanent, traditionally agricultural Structures.
    • All other Buildings or Structures, including dwellings, roadways, pole Buildings, barns, shops, and garages, require City permitting and inspections.
    “Building Permits in the A-1 District shall not be required for new construction, repair, or replacement of fences, paddocks, corrals, grain bins, and other non-permanent, traditionally agricultural Structures.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Two-family and attached development in the R-2M Manufactured Home, Two-Family Dwelling District.

    • When two dwellings are located on a lot, both dwellings must share one driveway access.
    • Each dwelling must have individual utility connections and metering.
    “both Dwellings shall share one Driveway Access.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permitting in the A-1 Agricultural District inside Watford City city.

    • Specified agricultural structures do not require building permits.
    • Other buildings or structures require City permitting and inspections.
    • Applicants unsure whether a permit is required must inquire from City Officials.
    “If a property owner is unsure as to whether a permit is required, it is the property owner's responsibility to inquire from City Officials.”

Rules another office applies inside Watford City

Watford City does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater systems serving property inside Watford City city.

    • North Dakota DEQ licenses installers.
    • A permit must be obtained from the local public health unit before work begins.
    • Installers must follow local codes.
    “The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality oversees the licensing of onsite wastewater treatment system installers”
  • Septic permitRequired

    On-site wastewater installation inside Watford City city.

    • The permit is from the local public health unit, whose specific identity was not established in the opened sources.
    • The installer must also obtain a state DEQ license.
    “secure a permit from their local public health unit before beginning work on a system.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Watford City or McKenzie County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Watford City city.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Watford City city.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Watford City city.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Watford City city.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling occupancy inside Watford City city.
7 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Watford City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. McKenzie County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of McKenzie County: county rules, score and offices