Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Deepwater Township, North Dakota

Deepwater Township’s own rules

• Local zoningAbsent

  Land inside Deepwater township, McLean County, ND: the township has not adopted its own zoning ordinance (county zoning ordinance applies instead)

  • The statement is a footnote in McLean County's ordinance about all organized townships in the county; it does not name Deepwater township.
  • McLean County's own zoning ordinance is the zoning that applies outside cities with their own zoning.

  “no organized townships within mclean county have adopted a zoning ordinance.”

Rules another office applies inside Deepwater Township

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

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, alteration or moving of structures inside Deepwater township (McLean County), under the county's building permit rule since the township has adopted no zoning

  • Permit issued by the McLean County land use administrator or county auditor.
  • Permit valid one year; reissue costs 1.5 times the prior amount.
  • A copy of the First District Health Unit septic permit is required if a septic system is part of the plan.
  • No permit required for maintenance or repair of conforming existing structures unless it alters strength or plan.
  • Violation is an infraction, maximum fine $500.
  • Ordinance applies in the jurisdiction of McLean County; cities with their own zoning are excluded. It does not name Deepwater township, but states no organized township has adopted zoning.

  permit validity: 1 year (reissue at 1.5 times prior fee)

  “building permits are specifically required by this ordinance whenever any structure is moved onto, constructed, or altered on any property within the jurisdiction of mclean county.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Septic systems inside Deepwater township, McLean County; approval by First District Health Unit, with county land use administrator soil consultation

  • Soils with severe limitations may not be used for septic tanks unless the system is designed to negate the limitations.
  • Applicant must consult the McLean County land use administrator on soil limitations.
  • Septic tanks not allowed for multi-family dwellings.
  • Ordinance does not name Deepwater township; it applies in McLean County.

  “anyone proposing to install a soil absorption disposal system (septic tank) in mclean county must secure prior approval from the first district health unit, minot, north dakota.”

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.