Bolthole Index

Mountrail County, North Dakota

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

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

Unincorporated Mountrail County, North Dakota requires a county building permit, and Planning & Zoning administers the application under the county Land Development Code1. County zoning applies principally in unincorporated areas, while some cities and townships have their own zoning authority23. Upper Missouri District Health Unit permits septic systems and licenses installers in Mountrail County4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required through Mountrail County Planning & Zoning in unincorporated areas1
Zoning
County zoning applies principally in unincorporated areas; some cities and townships have their own authority23
Septic permit
Required through Upper Missouri District Health Unit before work begins45
RV living
Not confirmed for private land; ask the zoning authority for the parcel3
Tiny home
No specific occupancy rule confirmed; zoning and permit review still apply12
Owner-builder exemption
No county exemption confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning6
Private well
State appropriation permit required above 12.5 acre-feet per year; lower specified uses must be reported7
Agricultural building
State-code exemption may apply if it is not for habitation or public use8

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Mountrail County Planning & Zoning

Building-permit applications and zoning matters for land under Mountrail County jurisdiction

701-628-2909

[email protected]

PO Box 248, Stanley ND 58784-0248

Septic permits

Upper Missouri District Health Unit — Environmental Health

Septic-system permits and installer licensing in Mountrail County

701-774-6400

110 W. Bdwy, Suite 101, Williston, ND 58801

Roads & driveways

Mountrail County Road & Bridge

Crossing, approach and right-of-way permit applications on roads within county program jurisdiction

701-628-2390

[email protected]

8103 61st Street NW, Stanley ND 58784

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 Mountrail County, North Dakota?

Yes. Unincorporated Mountrail County requires a building permit administered by County Planning & Zoning under the adopted Land Development Code1. The application must include a site plan showing tract dimensions, setbacks from property lines, building height, building length and a floor plan9. Any needed conditional-use or variance approval must come before the building permit, final approval belongs to the Planning and Zoning Board, and the issued permit must be posted conspicuously near the work site9. North Dakota has a statewide code framework, but the state says local jurisdictions choose whether to administer and enforce it; we could not confirm whether Mountrail County has separately adopted that state building code for ordinary residential construction, so ask Planning & Zoning what code and inspections apply to your project10.

Who handles Mountrail County building permits, and how do you reach them?

Mountrail County Planning & Zoning handles the county building-permit application and zoning questions at PO Box 248, Stanley ND 58784-0248; call 701-628-2909 or email [email protected]11. The county page provides the building-permit application, the Land Development Code and a map identifying cities and townships with their own zoning authority11. Start by giving the office your parcel number and proposed use so staff can identify the correct jurisdiction and zoning district. Building-permit and plan-review fees are set by the applicable governing authority rather than by one statewide schedule, so request the current county fee schedule directly12. Mountrail County has not confirmed an owner-builder exemption in the reviewed materials; an owner planning to act as general contractor should ask Planning & Zoning before relying on any exemption6.

Does Mountrail County have zoning?

Yes. The Mountrail County Land Development Code establishes zoning districts, district standards, conditional-use procedures, variance procedures and a zoning map for land within county jurisdiction, principally the unincorporated area2. The answer can change with the parcel because cities and some townships have their own zoning authority; the county publishes a map for identifying those separate jurisdictions311. Confirm the governing authority before using county standards to judge setbacks, minimum lot area or an allowed use. We could not confirm a single countywide minimum dwelling floor area from the reviewed material, so ask the authority responsible for the parcel. North Dakota exempts a building used for agricultural purposes from the state building-code chapter only when the building is not a place of human habitation and is not for public use; that state exemption does not by itself erase county zoning or permit review8.

How do septic permits work in Mountrail County?

Upper Missouri District Health Unit is the permitting authority for septic systems in Mountrail County and also licenses installers across its four-county district4. Contact Environmental Health through the Williston office at 701-774-6400 or 1-877-572-3763; the office is at 110 W. Bdwy, Suite 101, Williston, ND 5880113. North Dakota requires the local public-health permit before work begins, while the installer must also hold the state license and follow local codes5. About 64.8% of county soils rate free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, but that countywide share cannot establish suitability on an individual parcel; obtain the site-specific evaluation required by the health unit14. We could not confirm the district's inspection sequence from the reviewed facts, so ask Environmental Health when inspections must occur and what must remain exposed for review.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Mountrail County?

We could not confirm a general rule allowing or prohibiting full-time RV living on private land in Mountrail County. The North Dakota state-park camping limit applies only to state-park campsites and cabins, so it does not answer the private-land question15. Ask the zoning authority for the parcel whether an RV can be occupied during construction or used as a residence, and ask Upper Missouri District Health Unit what approved sanitation arrangement would be required34. We also could not confirm a special tiny-home occupancy rule or minimum dwelling size. A tiny home proposed as a structure in unincorporated county jurisdiction still enters the county building-permit and zoning process12. A new manufactured home has a separate statewide installation rule requiring a licensed installer and licensed inspector16.

How do you build a home in Mountrail County, step by step?

  1. Use the county's map and Planning & Zoning office to confirm whether the parcel is governed by Mountrail County, a city or a township311.
  2. Confirm the zoning district and resolve any conditional-use or variance request before the building permit can issue9.
  3. Prepare the permit site plan with tract dimensions, property-line setbacks, building height, length and floor plan9.
  4. Apply to Upper Missouri District Health Unit for the septic permit before septic work begins5.
  5. If a private well will exceed 12.5 acre-feet a year, obtain a state water-appropriation permit; specified lower-volume uses still must be reported7.
  6. Ask Road & Bridge whether the proposed access needs an approach permit under its county program, using 701-628-2390 or [email protected]17.
  7. Post the approved building permit conspicuously near the construction site9.

What should you check before you buy land in Mountrail County?

Verify zoning jurisdiction first because county, city or township rules may govern the parcel3. Check the proposed building envelope against district setbacks and review mapped waterways, wetlands and flood elevations; county subdivision plats must identify those features and 100-year flood elevations where designated by state or federal mapping18. Confirm road access with Road & Bridge, which publishes crossing and approach permit applications17. For water, a state appropriation permit is required above 12.5 acre-feet per year, while specified lower-volume wells must still be reported7. About 88.9% of county land has a slope of 15% or less, while 64.8% of soils rate free of severe conventional-drain-field limits; neither countywide figure replaces a parcel survey or septic evaluation1914. Mountrail County averages 17 inches of precipitation annually and severe drought in 12.3% of years, making a dependable water plan worth resolving before purchase2021.

Watch-outs

  • A Mountrail County address does not guarantee county zoning jurisdiction because some cities and townships administer their own zoning3.
  • Conditional-use or variance approval must be completed before the county building permit can issue9.
  • The local septic permit must be secured before work begins, and the installer also needs a North Dakota license5.
  • Subdivision flood information is not a complete floodplain-development answer; ask Planning & Zoning which floodplain approval applies to the parcel1811.

Sources

  1. Mountrail County Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  2. Planning & Zoning - Mountrail County, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning & Zoning - Mountrail County, quoted and re-checked
  4. Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  5. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. (2026 county census)
  7. Water Appropriation Permits (North Dakota statewide rule), 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. Building or Demolition Permit, quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Codes (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Mountrail County Planning & Zoning (co.mountrail.nd.us)
  12. 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Upper Missouri District Health Unit — Environmental Health (umdhu.org)
  14. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  15. Parks and Recreation FAQ (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Manufactured Home Installation Program (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Mountrail County Road & Bridge (co.mountrail.nd.us)
  18. Subdivision Review Application, quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Share of years in severe drought: 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Mountrail County in North Dakota

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

How Mountrail County scores

Seclusion87100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1798% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost79100% 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 →

$241kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$1,445Land / acre
17"Annual rain
12.3% of yrsSevere drought
3.9 / yr (+3.5)Mid-century 100°F days
18.9 daysMid-century dry spell
1.22" (+4.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.45×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,777Home insurance / yr
0.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.57%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
789People within 30 min
130,906People within 2 hr
3,507Radius comparison (15 mi)
5.1People / sq mi
28.6%Federal land
88.9%Land at 15% slope or less
64.8%Septic soil without severe limits
716,082 acWorkable land screen
1.6%Wooded land
8.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
40.2°FAvg temp

Scout Mountrail County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Mountrail County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Mountrail County

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

Mountrail County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within the jurisdiction of the Mountrail County Land Development Code, principally unincorporated county areas.

    • The county code contains zoning districts, district standards, conditional-use procedures, variance procedures, and a zoning map.
    • Municipal and township zoning authority may apply in incorporated or separately governed areas.
    “Mountrail County Land Development code Adopted 2022”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Mountrail County, including county, township, and municipal jurisdictions.

    • The conclusion aggregates separate local zoning authorities; the county code does not administer every municipal or township ordinance.
    • The county planning page separately identifies cities and townships with their own zoning authority.
    “Map of Cities & Townships with own Zoning Authority”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Septic-system permitting and installer licensing in Mountrail County.

    • The Upper Missouri District Health Unit serves Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail, and Williams Counties.
    “The Upper Missouri District Health Unit is the agency with authority to permit septic systems and license installers in the four counties of Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Subdivision plat review and development documentation in Mountrail County.

    • Subdivision plats must identify waterways, watercourses, wetlands, and 100-year flood elevations where designated by the State Water Commission or Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
    • The source establishes a plat-documentation requirement, not a complete countywide floodplain-development prohibition or permit rule.

    flood-elevation recurrence: 100 year (Where designated by the State Water Commission or Flood Insurance Rate Maps)

    “Waterwaye, watercourses, wetlands, and one hundred (100) year flood elevations, as designated by th�State Water Commission or Flood lnsurance Rate Maps (FIRM), shatl be so designated on the plat”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Mountrail County building and demolition permit application process.

    • Applicants must submit a site plan showing tract dimensions, setbacks from property lines, building height, length, and floor plan.
    • Conditional-use or variance approvals must occur before a building permit is issued.
    • Final approval is determined by the Planning and Zoning Board.
    • A permit must be posted conspicuously near the construction or demolition site.
    • The permit form states that certificates expire one year from issue.
    “Please see Mountrail County Land Development Code for all Setbacks and if a conditional use or variance is needed as these must be approved before a building permit is issued.”
  • Building permitRequired

    County Planning & Zoning provides a Building Permit Application and administers permits under its adopted Land Development Code.

    Mountrail County Planning & Zoning ↗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.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Factory-built modular residential or commercial structures manufactured in North Dakota or intended for placement in North Dakota, where the manufacturer produces two or more modular residential or commercial structures per year.

    • The manufacturer must contract with a third party for inspection during the manufacturing process in the factory.
    • The third-party inspector must be approved as a certified third-party inspector by the Division of Community Services.
    • The inspection covers applicable building, electrical, fire, and plumbing codes and standards.
    • When a certified third-party inspector monitors compliance during factory manufacturing, no further inspection by state or local building, electrical, fire, or plumbing inspectors may be required for that structure during the manufacturing process in the factory.
    • The statutory provision does not apply to a factory manufacturing fewer than two residential or commercial structures per year; the Commerce program page states that manufacturers producing less than two modular structures per year are exempt but must submit a yearly certification of exemption.

    annual modular structures produced: >= 2 structures/year (Factories producing fewer than two residential or commercial structures per year are exempt from the statutory provision; the Commerce program page requires a yearly certification of exemption.)

    “shall contract with a third party for the inspection of the structure for compliance with all applicable building, electrical, fire, and plumbing codes and standards”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    New manufactured homes installed in North Dakota for residential purposes.

    • Installation must be performed by an installer licensed by the Division of Community Services.
    • The home must be inspected by an inspector licensed by the Division of Community Services.
    • The installer must first apply for and receive authorization to install the home from a licensed inspector.
    • A minimum of two inspections are required on a double-wide home and one inspection on a single-wide home.
    • After installation meets the installation requirements, an insignia is attached to show the home passes inspections.

    minimum inspections for double-wide manufactured home: >= 2 inspections · minimum inspections for single-wide manufactured home: 1 inspection

    “All new manufactured homes installed in North Dakota for residential purposes must be installed by an installer licensed by the Division of Community Services and inspected by an inspector licensed by the Division of Community Services.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of an onsite wastewater treatment system anywhere in North Dakota.

    • A permit from the applicable local public health unit must be secured before beginning work.
    • The installer must also obtain a state license from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
    • Installers must follow local codes.
    “Installers must obtain both a state license and a local public health permit before beginning work.”
  • 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.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Buildings used for agricultural purposes under North Dakota's State Building Code.

    • The statute defines agricultural purposes to include agriculture, farming, ranching, dairying, pasturage, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, and animal and poultry husbandry.
    • The exemption does not apply when the building is a place of human habitation or is for use by the public.
    • The exemption is from Chapter 54-21.3, the State Building Code chapter; other applicable laws or local authorities may still apply.
    “Any building used for agricultural purposes, unless a place of human habitation or for use by the public, is exempt from this chapter.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building-permit fee schedules under the North Dakota State Building Code framework.

    • The applicable enforcing jurisdiction determines how it administers and enforces the state building code.
    • The state publication provides only a sample jurisdiction fee schedule, not a single statewide fee schedule.
    • Permit and plan-review fees are established by the applicable governing authority; plan-review fees are separate from and in addition to permit fees.
    “Where a permit is required, a fee for each permit and plan review shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as established by the applicable governing authority.”
  • 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-builders seeking exemption from Mountrail County building-permit requirements.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Mountrail County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Mountrail County zoning districts.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping outside specifically regulated recreational-vehicle parks.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Mountrail County.
3 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup

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 Mountrail County, North Dakota

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

Mountrail County scores 47/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 789 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (17″/yr rainfall).

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

Mountrail County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Upper Missouri District Health Unit. 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 Mountrail County, North Dakota?

Land in Mountrail County runs about $1,445 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Mountrail County?

Mountrail County gets about 17" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 12.3% of years.

How remote is Mountrail County?

A representative private-land location has about 789 people within a 30-minute drive and 130,906 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Mountrail compares in North Dakota

Compare side-by-side →See all 53 North Dakota counties ranked →