Bolthole Index

Slope County, North Dakota

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

42Index Score / 100
#49 of 53 in North Dakota

Slope County, North Dakota requires a building permit obtained through the county Zoning Office12. Slope County administers zoning regulations, but the cited county sources do not establish the rules inside incorporated municipalities3. A local public health permit and a state-licensed installer are required before septic work begins4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; obtained from the Slope County Zoning Office12
Zoning
County regulations are in use; confirm the parcel's jurisdiction and district3
Septic permit
Required from the applicable local public health unit before work begins4
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the Zoning Office before placing or occupying one56
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed; ask the Zoning Office before hiring or starting work76
Agricultural buildings
State-code exemption if not used as a home or by the public; confirm the county permit86
Private wells
A state appropriation permit applies above 12.5 acre-feet per year9

Who to call

Zoning

Slope County Zoning Office

Building permits; call for zoning and permit information

701-879-6271

206 Main St, Amidon, ND 58620

Health department

Bowman/Slope County Public Health Office

Local public health contact for Slope County; ask this office to confirm the septic-permit contact

(701)523-3144

104 1st St. NW #6, Bowman, ND 58623

Roads & driveways

Slope County Road Department

County roads and bridges; ask about access from a county road

701-879-5667

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

Yes. Slope County requires a building permit, and the county directs applicants to obtain it from the Zoning Office12. The published process does not include a complete application checklist, fees, review timeline or every exception, so call the Zoning Office before ordering plans or beginning site work2. North Dakota's current state-code framework took effect in 2026, but the state Community Services agency does not enforce that code; enforcement belongs to jurisdictions that elect to adopt and enforce it1011. Slope County has not identified which building-code provisions, plan review or inspections apply, so ask the Zoning Office about your project6. A building used for agricultural purposes is exempt from the state building-code chapter only when it is neither a home nor used by the public; that does not establish an exemption from the county permit process8.

Who issues Slope County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The Slope County Zoning Office is the county's building-permit contact, and the county directs callers to 701-879-62712. The office contact is at the Slope County Courthouse, 206 Main St, Amidon, ND 586206. The published process omits the full application checklist, fees, review timeline and applicability exceptions, so call for the current application, required drawings and payment instructions2. North Dakota does not impose one uniform local building-permit fee schedule; permit and plan-review charges are established by the governing authority that administers the permit12. Slope County also has not confirmed an owner-builder exemption, so an owner who plans to perform the work should ask the Zoning Office what contractor credentials or owner affidavits are required before applying76.

Does Slope County have zoning?

Yes. Slope County administers zoning regulations and county conditional-use permits, including permits that may be renewed annually subject to the setbacks in the regulations3. The cited county sources do not establish that county zoning applies inside incorporated municipalities, so first confirm which jurisdiction controls the parcel3. North Dakota law allows county commissioners to regulate building locations and uses, land occupancy and residential or recreational land uses, with different rules in different districts13. The available facts do not provide Slope County's parcel-specific setbacks, minimum lot size, building height, minimum dwelling size, accessory-home, RV or tiny-home standards. Give the Zoning Office the parcel description and proposed use before buying or designing6. The state agricultural-building exemption applies only to the state building-code chapter and excludes buildings used as homes or by the public8.

How do septic permits work in Slope County?

An onsite wastewater installer serving Slope County must hold a North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality license and secure a permit from the applicable local public health unit before beginning work14154. The reviewed state information does not identify the specific local permitting unit for Slope County15. The Southwestern District Health Unit directory lists a combined Bowman/Slope public health office at 104 1st St. NW #6 in Bowman, with phone (701)523-3144, so start there and ask staff to confirm who accepts the septic application16. Site feasibility deserves early attention because only about 20.3% of Slope County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field17. That soil statistic does not decide an individual parcel, but it makes a site evaluation and system design important before fixing the house location or purchase budget17.

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

Slope County has zoning, but we could not confirm a county rule for occupying an RV or tiny home on private land5. Ask the Zoning Office whether the parcel's district allows the use, whether a principal home must be built first, and what septic, setback or time-limit conditions apply6. North Dakota's limit of 14 nights in any 30-day period applies to state-park campsites and cabins, not to private land in Slope County18. A new manufactured home is a different category: North Dakota requires residential manufactured homes to be installed by a state-licensed installer and inspected by a state-licensed inspector19. The state requires at least two installation inspections for a double-wide and one for a single-wide, but those installation rules do not establish that a particular Slope County parcel allows the home195.

Building a home in Slope County: what are the steps?

  1. Call the Slope County Zoning Office at 701-879-6271 with the parcel description and proposed home type; confirm the controlling jurisdiction, zoning district, setbacks, application, fees, code and inspections32.
  1. Contact the Bowman/Slope public health office at (701)523-3144 and ask it to identify the applicable septic permitting staff; the installer must obtain the local permit before starting and must hold a state license164.
  1. For a private well, contact the North Dakota Department of Water Resources: appropriation permits apply when annual withdrawal exceeds 12.5 acre-feet, while specified uses below that threshold must still be reported9.
  1. Confirm driveway access with the Slope County Road Department when the parcel fronts a county road20.
  1. Submit the county building-permit materials and complete whatever reviews and inspections the Zoning Office identifies before occupancy12.

What should you check before buying land in Slope County?

Check water and septic feasibility before treating a parcel as buildable. Slope County averages about 15.6 inches of precipitation annually, and severe drought occurs in about 15.5% of years2122. Only about 20.3% of county soils avoid a severe conventional-drain-field limitation, so obtain a parcel-level septic evaluation rather than relying on a county average17. About 82.3% of the county has slopes of 15% or less, but parcel access and the actual homesite still need field review23. Slope County is exceptionally sparse, with about 674 residents and 0.6 people per square mile; the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 246 miles from the county center242526. About 18.2% of county land is federally owned, so verify boundaries and legal access rather than assuming adjoining open ground is part of the parcel27. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.4%, with a median annual bill near $460, but obtain the specific parcel's tax record before closing2829.

Watch-outs

  • Slope County publishes where to obtain a building permit but not the complete checklist, fees, review timeline, adopted code, inspection sequence or certificate-of-occupancy rule; ask the Zoning Office before work begins26.
  • The specific public health unit that issues Slope County septic permits was not identified in the reviewed state material; begin with the combined Bowman/Slope public health office and confirm the permitting contact1516.
  • No Slope County rule for private-land RV occupancy, tiny homes, setbacks or minimum dwelling size was confirmed; ask the Zoning Office about the parcel and proposed use56.

Sources

  1. Slope County - Apply For/Obtain (2026 county census)
  2. Apply For/Obtain, quoted and re-checked
  3. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  4. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Slope County, ND official site (2026 county census)
  6. Slope County Zoning Office (slopecountynd.gov)
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-21.3, State Building Code (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Water Appropriation Permits (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Codes | Commerce | North Dakota (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Codes (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. North Dakota Century Code, Chapter 11-33, County Zoning (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  15. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  16. Bowman/Slope County Public Health Office (swdhu.net)
  17. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  18. Parks and Recreation FAQ (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Manufactured Home Installation Program (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Slope County Road Department (slopecountynd.gov)
  21. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  24. County population: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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.

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County locator

Slope County in North Dakota

42
County map
Slope County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Slope County scores

Seclusion90100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency15100% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability42100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost8194% 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 →

$121kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$1,492Land / acre
15.6"Annual rain
15.5% of yrsSevere drought
7.9 / yr (+6.9)Mid-century 100°F days
21.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.11" (+6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.32×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
state median fallbackInsurance basis
12,836People within 2 hr
486Radius comparison (15 mi)
0.6People / sq mi
18.2%Federal land
82.3%Land at 15% slope or less
20.3%Septic soil without severe limits
153,685 acWorkable land screen
2.2%Wooded land
7.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
43.2°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Slope County

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

Slope County rules

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning regulations and county-administered zoning approvals in Slope County; this claim does not establish zoning administered by incorporated municipalities or other subordinate jurisdictions.

    • The official county meeting record describes a conditional use permit subject to the County’s Zoning Regulations.
    • The conditional use permit is issued for 1 year and renewed annually.
    • Renewal is subject to the setbacks in the County’s Zoning Regulations in effect as of January 8, 2025.
    • The cited county sources do not establish that county zoning applies inside incorporated municipalities.

    conditional use permit term: 1 year (renewed annually subject to the setbacks set forth in the County’s Zoning Regulations in effect as of January 8, 2025)

    “Conditional Use Permit will be issued for 1 year and will be renewed annually subject to the setbacks set forth in the County’s Zoning Regulations in effect as of January 8, 2025.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Local public-health permitting for onsite wastewater systems in Slope County

    • The specific local public health unit serving Slope County was not identified on the official page reviewed.
    • Installers must also obtain a state license and follow local codes.
    “All installers must obtain a license from the department, which is issued at no cost, and secure a permit from their local public health unit before beginning work on a system.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Onsite wastewater treatment system installation in Slope County

    • A permit from the local public health unit must be secured before beginning work.
    • A state installer license is also required.
    “All installers must obtain a license from the department, which is issued at no cost, and secure a permit from their local public health unit before beginning work on a system.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building-permit obtainment through the Slope County Zoning Office.

    • The county page directs applicants to obtain building permits from the Zoning Office.
    • The page provides a telephone contact but does not publish a complete application checklist, fees, review timeline, or all applicability exceptions.
    • The cited process is county-level and does not establish permitting procedures for incorporated municipalities.

    contact phone: 701-879-6271

    “Building permits are obtained from the Zoning Office; call 701-879-6271.”
  • Building permitRequired

    The county's official 'Apply For/Obtain' page states building permits are obtained from the Slope County Zoning Office.

    Slope County - Apply For/Obtain ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Slope County lists a Zoning department among its official county departments and administers building permits through the Zoning Office.

    Slope County, ND official site ↗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.”
  • 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.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction or modification of North Dakota water-control structures regulated by the Department of Water Resources.

    • A DWR construction permit is required when a water-control structure is capable of retaining, diverting, or obstructing more than 50 acre-feet for dikes, other devices, and low-hazard dams.
    • The threshold is more than 25 acre-feet for medium-hazard and high-hazard dams.
    • This claim does not establish the separate local floodplain-development-permit requirements administered by local floodplain administrators.

    retention/diversion/obstruction threshold for dikes, other devices, and low-hazard dams: > 50 acre-feet · retention/diversion/obstruction threshold for medium- and high-hazard dams: > 25 acre-feet

    “A construction permit is required from the DWR if a water control structure is constructed or modified”
  • 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 — Whether an owner-builder may construct in Slope County without using a licensed contractor or under a county owner-builder exemption.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Slope County
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in Slope County
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Slope County
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Slope County
12 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access

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 Slope County, North Dakota

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

Slope County scores 42/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 486 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (15.6″/yr rainfall).

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

Slope County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (with local public health unit permit). 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 Slope County, North Dakota?

Land in Slope County runs about $1,492 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Slope County?

Slope County gets about 15.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 15.5% of years.

How remote is Slope County?

A typical private-land location has about 486 people within 15 miles and 85,399 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Slope compares in North Dakota

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