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

Center’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting any structure, shingling, re-siding, installing new windows, or remodeling a home within Center.

  • Contact the City office for further information.

  “Building permits are required for erecting any structure, shingling, re-siding, new windows or remodeling your home.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures in the City of Center.

  • The ordinance incorporates future updates and amendments to the North Dakota State Building Code.
  • parameters not applicable

  “That code is hereby adopted and made a part of this chapter by reference”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within the City of Center, North Dakota.

  • The detailed Planning and Zoning Ordinances are incorporated by reference in the City's revised ordinances.

  “The zoning regulations in Center aim to promote the health, safety, and well-being of residents by guiding land use and city development.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of a private wastewater disposal system inside Center where public sewer is not available under section 7.0303(4).

  • The owner must obtain a written permit signed by the superintendent before construction.
  • The application must use the City form and include plans, specifications, and other information deemed necessary by the superintendent.
  • A $20 permit and inspection fee is due when the application is filed.

  private wastewater disposal permit and inspection fee: 20 USD (Paid to the City when the application is filed.)

  “Before commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the superintendent.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private wastewater disposal systems inside Center.

  • Allowed only where public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under section 7.0303(4).
  • The system must comply with the article.
  • The owner must first obtain the written City permit and pay the stated permit and inspection fee.

  “Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of Section 7.0303 (4), the building sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes in Center.

  • The property must abut a street, alley, or right-of-way containing a public sanitary sewer.
  • The owner must receive official notice.
  • The public sewer must be within 200 feet of the property line.
  • Connection is at the owner's expense and must occur within 30 days after official notice.

  public sewer distance from property line: <= 200 feet (According to the North Dakota plumbing code.) · connection deadline after official notice: <= 30 days

  “within thirty (30) days after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 200 feet (61 meters)”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Private wastewater disposal-system permit applications in Center.

  • The fee applies when the application is filed.
  • The fee is specifically for the private wastewater disposal-system permit and inspection; it is not evidence of fees for every City permit.

  private wastewater disposal permit and inspection fee: 20 USD (Payable to the City when the application is filed.)

  “A permit and inspection fee of $20.00 shall be paid to the City at the time the application is filed.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Private wastewater disposal-system permit applications in Center.

  • The process applies before construction of a private wastewater disposal system.
  • The applicant must use the City form and provide plans, specifications, and other information the superintendent deems necessary.
  • A written permit signed by the superintendent is required.

  “The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the City”

Rules another office applies inside Center

Center 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)

  Onsite wastewater treatment systems, including systems inside Center.

  • The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality has exclusive authority to adopt the rules; the rule defines the permitting authority as a North Dakota local public health unit, other political subdivision, or its designee.

  ““Permitting authority” means a North Dakota local public health unit, other political subdivision, or their designees.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installation of an onsite wastewater treatment system, including in Center.

  • The inspection is conducted by the permitting authority or its authorized representative.
  • The cited statute requires the inspection within one business day after receiving a request for inspection.

  inspection timing after request: <= 1 business day (Applies to installation inspection under the cited statutory provision.)

  “Inspection of the installation of a system must be conducted by the permitting authority or an authorized representative of the permitting authority”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Residential building work within Center.
• Inspections — Building construction within Center.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings within Center.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings within Center zoning districts.
• Minimum lot size — Lots within Center zoning districts.

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.