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

Forman’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction, homes, garages, sheds, other outbuildings, decks, and fences inside Forman city limits.

  • Replacement roofs, siding, and windows do not require a building permit.

  “A building permit is needed for new construction, including homes, garages, sheds and other outbuildings. It is also needed for decks and fences built in the city. Replacement of roofs, siding, and windows do not require a permit.”

• Building code adoptedPartial

  Modular and site-built homes in the R-2 Residential District inside Forman city limits.

  • The quoted requirement is limited to R-2 modular and site-built homes; the City code also requires manufactured homes to meet HUD Code.

  “modular homes and site built homes meet the requirements of Uniform Building Code; manufactured homes meet HUD Code;”

• InspectionsLimited

  Completed buildings, including placement of mobile and manufactured homes, inside Forman city limits.

  • The Auditor/Mayor or designee may inspect completed work; the text does not establish a universal mandatory building-inspection sequence.

  “The City Auditor/Mayor or their designees may inspect the completed building, including placement of mobile homes and manufactured homes and assurance that all provisions and conditions set forth under this code are met.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Forman city limits.

  • The official zoning map is on file with the City Auditor/Mayor and is an integral part of the code.

  “The following zoning districts are hereby established to carry out the purposes of this code: a. A Agricultural District b. R-1 Residential District c. R-2 Residential District d. C-1 Commercial District e. C-2 Commercial District f. I Industrial District g. PD Planned Development District h. FP Floodplain Management District”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Forman city limits.

  • The zoning district map is on file in the City Auditor/Mayor's office, and the code makes the map and amendments integral parts of the code.

  “The location and boundaries of the zoning districts are hereby established as shown on the "Zoning District Map" on file in the Office of the City of Forman City Auditor/Mayor. The zoning district maps, together with all information shown thereon and all amendments thereto, shall be an integral part of this code.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private wastewater disposal systems inside Forman city limits where public sanitary or combined sewer is unavailable.

  • The system must comply with State Department of Health recommendations and regulations.

  “Before commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Superintendent. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the city, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary by the Superintendent.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of a private wastewater disposal system inside Forman city limits where public sanitary or combined sewer is unavailable.

  • The owner must obtain a written permit signed by the Superintendent before construction.
  • The City charges a $25 permit and inspection fee when the application is filed.
  • The system must meet State Department of Health recommendations and regulations.

  private wastewater permit and inspection fee: 25 USD (paid 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. [...] A permit and inspection fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private wastewater disposal systems constructed inside Forman city limits.

  • The applicant must notify the Superintendent when work is ready for final inspection and before underground portions are covered.
  • The inspection must occur within 24 hours after the Superintendent receives notice.

  inspection timing after notice: <= 24 hours

  “The Superintendent shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction, and in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 24 hours of the receipt of notice by the Superintendent.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private wastewater disposal inside Forman city limits.

  • Permitted only where public sanitary or combined sewer is unavailable under § 7.0303(4).
  • A City permit, inspection, and State Department of Health compliance are required.
  • A septic tank or cesspool may not discharge to a natural outlet or ground surface.

  “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 complying with the provisions of this article. [...] No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet or to the ground surface.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Premises inside Forman city limits using domestic water, and occupied properties where public sanitary sewer is within the stated availability distance.

  • Domestic-water premises within 200 feet of a City water main must make a proper water connection.
  • Occupied properties must connect to public sewer within 60 days after official notice when sewer is within 200 feet of the property line.
  • Private wastewater disposal is allowed only when public sanitary or combined sewer is unavailable under the ordinance.

  water-main distance: <= 200 feet (premises where water is used or will be used for domestic purposes) · public-sewer distance: <= 200 feet (from property line under the North Dakota plumbing code) · sewer connection deadline after notice: <= 60 days

  “It shall be unlawful for any person, organization, business enterprise, or other legal entity to use or occupy or permit to be used or occupied wherein water is used or will be used for domestic purposes [...] any premises or building within the corporate limits of the City of Forman and which is located within two hundred (200) feet of the city water main, without first making, or causing to be made, proper connection with the City Waterworks System.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Residential subdivisions inside Forman city corporate limits.

  • Residential subdivision lots must meet listed width and area standards and front a public street.
  • Final plat requires City Council approval before the City Auditor/Mayor signs it.

  minimum subdivision residential lot width at building line: >= 75 feet · minimum subdivision residential lot area: >= 7500 square feet

  “The City Auditor/Mayor shall sign the final plat, if the City Council has approved the final plat subject to the provisions of Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this code.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City building permits and zoning applications, conditional-use permits, and variances inside Forman city limits.

  • The City may levy other charges for building inspection, appraisal, preliminary plat review, and final plat review as deemed necessary by the City Auditor/Mayor.
  • Zoning-related $30 fee defrays advertising and mailing of public-hearing notices.

  building permit fee for improvements under $1,000: 10 USD · building permit fee for improvements over $1,000: 25 USD · zoning application, conditional-use permit, or variance fee: 30 USD (defrays advertising and mailing of public-hearing notices)

  “$10 for improvements under $1,000 $25 for improvements over $1,000 The city may levy other charges to defray the cost of building inspection, appraisal, preliminary and final plat review, as deemed necessary by the city auditor/mayor. For zoning application, conditional use permits and variances a fee of $30 shall be paid to the city to defray the cost of advertising and mailing of public hearing notices.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside Forman city limits.

  • Applicant must print, complete, and return the building-permit application to City Hall.
  • The City Auditor/Mayor issues the permit if the proposal conforms to the zoning and building provisions of the code.

  “Take a moment to read all required information provided. Then print and fill out the building permit application form and return to city hall.”

Rules another office applies inside Forman

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

• Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family detached housing units in Forman's R-2 Residential District.

  • The quoted provision applies to housing units in the R-2 permitted-use requirements.

  minimum living space: >= 950 square feet

  “each unit shall have at least nine hundred fifty (950) square feet of living space;”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Single-family detached residences in Forman's R-1 Residential District.

    “Single family detached residential uses with a minimum of 1200 square feet of living space”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family units in Forman's R-2 Residential District.

  • For multifamily uses, the code requires 3,500 square feet per unit and public water and sewer availability.

  single-family minimum lot area: >= 7500 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 75 feet

  “The minimum lot area for single-family units shall be seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet. [...] The minimum lot width shall be no less than seventy five (75) feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Single-family units in Forman's R-1 Residential District.

    “The minimum lot area for single-family units shall be ten-thousand (10,000) square feet. [...] The minimum lot width shall be no less than seventy-five (75) feet.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Lots in Forman's R-1 Residential District.

  front yard: >= 25 feet · rear yard: >= 25 feet · side yard per side: >= 10 feet

  “The minimum front yard, measured from the front lot line, shall be no less than twenty-five (25) feet. The minimum rear yard, measured from the rear lot line, shall not be less than twenty-five (25) feet. The minimum side yard, measured from the side lot line, shall not be less than ten (10) feet on each side of a lot.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Lots in Forman's R-2 Residential District.

    “The minimum front yard, measured from the front lot line, shall be no less than twenty-five (25) feet. The minimum rear yard, measured from the rear lot line, shall not be less than twenty-five (25) feet. The minimum side yard, measured from the side lot line, shall not be less than six (6) feet on each side of a lot.”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family units in Forman's R-1 Residential District.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 35 percent

  “Maximum lot coverage shall be thirty-five per cent.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Single-family units in Forman's R-2 Residential District.

    “Maximum lot coverage shall be forty five per cent (45%).”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings in Forman's R-1 Residential District.

  • Church steeples are excepted.

  maximum height: <= 35 feet (church steeples) · maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories (church steeples)

  “No building shall be more than two and one half (2 1/2) stories or thirty-five (35) feet high, excepting church steeples.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Land in Forman's F Flood Plain District.

  • The district consists of flood-covered lands delineated on FEMA or State maps.
  • Agricultural buildings and structures for human habitation must be flood proofed.
  • Temporary buildings and structures not related to flood control and farming are conditional uses.

  “The F Flood Plain District is primarily established to designate those areas that need to accommodate the run-off water and to protect the public and private property from the adverse effects of flooding by prohibiting development on the lands prone to flooding. [...] Temporary buildings and structures not related to flood control and farming such as stands, fences, shelters, temporary signs and temporary parking.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Forman city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Forman city limits.
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Forman city limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Forman city limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Forman city limits.

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.