Bolthole Index

Steele County, North Dakota

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Steele County, North Dakota

45Index Score / 100
#41 of 53 in North Dakota

Steele County, North Dakota requires a building permit for new structures and changes to a structure's footprint under county jurisdiction, including farm-exempt structures1. The regulations exclude townships that have not relinquished permitting authority to the county, plus tribal and federal land1. Steele County is not involved in zoning, so ask the township or city that governs the parcel2. Septic permits go through Steele County Public Health34.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new structures and footprint changes under county jurisdiction, including farm-exempt buildings1
Building permit fee
$25 for improvements under $100,000; $50 above that5
Zoning
Steele County is not involved; ask the township or city governing the parcel2
Septic permits
Steele County Public Health, a standalone county health department3
RV living
No county land-use zoning restriction in unincorporated areas; ask the township about its rules6
Farm-exempt buildings
Still need a building permit; qualifying structures receive no valuation7
Septic soil difficulty
47.1% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field8

Who to call

Building permits

Steele County Tax Equalization Office (Building Permits)

Issues Steele County building permits; also called the Tax Equalization Office or Assessment Office

(701) 524-2133

201 Washington Ave W (2nd Floor), PO Box 275, Finley, ND 58230-0275

Also useful

Steele County Building Permit Ordinance and Regulations

The county's own building permit ordinance text: jurisdiction, exemptions, fees, and penalties

Septic permits

Steele County Public Health

Onsite wastewater (septic) system permits for Steele County

(701) 524-2060

201 Washington Ave W (Main Floor), PO Box 317, Finley, ND 58230

Roads & driveways

Steele County Highway Department

County road and bridge maintenance; the office to ask about driveway access on a county road

(701) 789-0536

201 Gordon Street, PO Box 291, Finley, ND 58230

Also useful

Steele County Courthouse (general county contact)

General county contact and directory for anything not covered above

701-524-2110

201 Washington Ave W, PO Box 275, Finley, ND 58230-0275

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 Steele County, North Dakota?

Yes, for projects under county jurisdiction. Steele County requires a permit for a new structure or a change to an existing structure's footprint, including a structure considered farm exempt1. The regulations do not apply in a township that has not relinquished building-permit authority to the county, on tribal land, or on federal land1. Ordinary exterior and interior maintenance is exempt1. Building permit fees are $25 for an improvement under $100,000 and $50 for an improvement above $100,000, collected before work starts; a violation carries a $250 fine5.

Who is the Steele County building department / who issues permits, and how do you reach them?

Steele County's permit materials direct applicants to the Tax Equalization Office, also called the Assessment Office, or to a township clerk or treasurer9. The county office is at the Steele County Courthouse in Finley, and the contact details are listed above9. A township that has not relinquished building-permit authority to the county remains outside the county ordinance, so identify the parcel's township before applying1. Steele County Public Health is the separate local office for septic matters310. The county materials do not confirm building inspections, a certificate-of-occupancy process, or a separate owner-builder exemption; ask the Tax Equalization Office before scheduling construction11.

Does Steele County have zoning?

Steele County is not involved in zoning and directs zoning questions to the applicable township or city2. That means a parcel's setbacks, minimum lot size, allowed uses, and rules for accessory structures cannot be answered from a countywide zoning code; ask the township clerk or the city governing the parcel2. North Dakota law permits counties to regulate the location and use of buildings and the occupancy of land through zoning adopted under a comprehensive plan, but that statewide authority does not establish a Steele County parcel rule by itself12. A Steele County building permit also does not settle the zoning question because the county ordinance governs permit administration rather than parcel-specific zoning5.

How do septic permits work in Steele County?

Every onsite wastewater system in Steele County needs a permit from Steele County Public Health before work begins, since the county runs its own standalone health department rather than sharing one with neighboring counties310. Statewide, the installer also needs a separate license from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, and installers must follow local codes on top of that state license134. Soils here give you a real shot at a conventional system: 47.1% of Steele County's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, though a site evaluation still belongs in your budget8.

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

Steele County imposes no county land-use zoning restriction on RV occupancy on private land in unincorporated areas6. That answer is limited to county zoning: ask the township governing the parcel about its rules, and separately confirm septic, building-permit, floodplain, and health requirements6. Steele County is not involved in zoning, so the township or city is also the place to ask about tiny-home setbacks and minimum dwelling size2. A tiny home that is a new structure or changes an existing footprint requires a building permit where the county ordinance applies1. A new manufactured home installed for residential use in North Dakota must be installed by a state-licensed installer and inspected by a state-licensed inspector14.

Building a home in Steele County: the steps, in order

  1. Identify the township and ask its clerk or the applicable city about zoning and which office has building-permit authority21.
  2. Where the county ordinance applies, submit the permit and fee to the Steele County Tax Equalization Office before construction begins95.
  3. Do not skip the county permit for a farm-exempt structure; a qualifying structure receives no valuation, but the permit remains required7.
  4. Secure the local onsite-wastewater permit from Steele County Public Health before septic work begins, and use a state-licensed installer34.
  5. If the site needs a private well, check the state water-appropriation threshold and reporting rules15.
  6. Ask the responsible road authority about access because Steele County has not confirmed a countywide driveway-approval procedure.

What to check before you buy land in Steele County

About 99% of Steele County land has a slope of 15% or less, while about 1.2% is wooded1617. Annual precipitation is about 21.8 inches, and severe drought occurs in about 9.9% of years1819. About 47.1% of county soils lack severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make the parcel-specific septic evaluation part of due diligence810. Steele County averages about 2.5 people per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 61 miles from the county center2021. Confirm the township before buying because the township or city handles zoning, and some townships retain building-permit authority21. The effective property-tax rate is about 1%, with a median annual bill near $1,146 and a typical home value near $120,400222324.

Watch-outs

  • Steele County's building permit ordinance doesn't apply everywhere: townships that haven't relinquished permitting power to the county, tribal land, and federal land are excluded, so confirm with your township clerk who actually issues your permit5.
  • Steele County imposes no county land-use zoning restriction on RV occupancy in unincorporated areas, but township, septic, building-permit, floodplain, and health rules may still apply6.
  • The ordinance PDF says it was adopted in February 2017, while the Tax Equalization page describes a February 2019 vote to adopt the ordinance; ask the Tax Equalization Office if the adoption date affects your project59.

Sources

  1. Steele County Building Permit Ordinance and Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  2. Tax Equalization - Steele County, ND, quoted and re-checked
  3. Steele County Public Health (2026 county census)
  4. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. Steele County Building Permit Ordinance and Regulations (steelecountynd.gov)
  6. Tax Equalization - Steele County, ND, quoted and re-checked
  7. Steele County Building Permit Ordinance and Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  8. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  9. Steele County Tax Equalization Office (Building Permits) (steelecountynd.gov)
  10. Steele County Public Health (steelecountynd.gov)
  11. (2026 county census)
  12. North Dakota Century Code, Chapter 11-33, County Zoning (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Manufactured Home Installation Program (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Water Appropriation Permits (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  18. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Typical home value (Zillow): 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

Steele County in North Dakota

45
County map
Steele County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Steele County scores

Seclusion84100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1692% ev.
Admin Boringness4490% ev.
Durability48100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost8296% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$120kTypical home
1%Property tax
$2,962Land / acre
21.8"Annual rain
9.9% of yrsSevere drought
3 / yr (+2.7)Mid-century 100°F days
20.2 daysMid-century dry spell
1.45" (+8.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.67×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,688Home insurance / yr
0.4% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
1,289People within 30 min
460,397People within 2 hr
2,762Radius comparison (15 mi)
2.5People / sq mi
7.4%Federal land
99%Land at 15% slope or less
47.1%Septic soil without severe limits
214,039 acWorkable land screen
1.2%Wooded land
39.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Steele County

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

Steele County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New structures and changes to the current footprint of a structure under county jurisdiction.

    • The regulations do not apply to townships that have not relinquished building-permit authority to the county.
    • The regulations do not apply to lands within tribal boundaries or federal land.
    • Ordinary exterior and interior maintenance is exempt.
    • Uses specifically exempted from county jurisdiction under NDCC are exempt.
    • Building permits are required even for structures considered farm exempt.
    “Building permits shall be necessary to any new”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New structures and changes to an existing structure footprint in areas subject to county building-permit regulations.
      “Building permits shall be necessary to any new structures or any changes in the current footprint of the structure in question.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    County zoning regulations.

    • Steele County directs zoning inquiries to townships and cities.
    • This does not establish the absence of municipal or township zoning.
    “For any information regarding zoning, contact must be made with the Township's or each City directly. Steele County IS NOT involved in any zoning regulations. Thank you!”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Zoning districtsNot published

    County zoning districts in unincorporated Steele County.

    • Municipal or township zoning materials may exist and must be obtained from the relevant local authority.
    • The county states it is not involved in zoning regulations.
    “Steele County IS NOT involved in any zoning regulations.”
  • SetbacksNone

    County-imposed zoning setbacks in unincorporated Steele County.

    • Municipal or township rules may apply.
    • Other non-zoning rules, including septic requirements, may impose separation distances.
    “Steele County IS NOT involved in any zoning regulations.”
  • Lot coverageNone

    County-imposed zoning lot coverage in unincorporated Steele County.

    • Municipal or township rules may apply.
    “Steele County IS NOT involved in any zoning regulations.”
  • Building heightNone

    County-imposed zoning building height in unincorporated Steele County.

    • Municipal or township rules may apply.
    “Steele County IS NOT involved in any zoning regulations.”
  • Living in an RVUnrestricted

    RV occupancy on private land in unincorporated Steele County insofar as county land-use zoning is concerned.

    • Steele County states that it is not involved in zoning regulations; zoning information must be obtained from the applicable township or city.
    • This claim does not resolve township, municipal, septic, building-permit, floodplain, health, or other applicable rules.
    “For any information regarding zoning, contact must be made with the Township's or each City directly. Steele County IS NOT involved in any zoning regulations. Thank you!”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Farm-exempt property and farm residences under the county building-permit regulations.

    • A building permit is still required for structures considered farm exempt.
    • The property-tax exemption application for a farm residence must be filed by February 1 of the year in which the exemption is requested.
    • The exemption depends on meeting the requirements of NDCC 57-02-08.
    • If requirements are met, the permit is retained for reference and no valuations are placed on the structure.

    application deadline: February 1 (year in which the exemption is requested)

    “including those that are considered “farm exempt.””
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Farm-exempt structures under the county building-permit ordinance.
      “Building permits shall be necessary for all structures, including those that are considered “farm exempt.” The application for property tax exemption of a farm residence must be filed by February 1st of the year in which the exemption is being requested as indicated by N.D.C.C. 57-02-08.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County building permits.

    • Fees must be submitted before project start.
    • The schedule is for county building permits only.
    • Golden Lake Township, City of Finley, and City of Hope have their own permitting systems.

    building permit fee: < 25 USD (improvement under $100,000) · building permit fee: > 50 USD (improvement over $100,000)

    “$25.00 FOR IMPROVEMENTS UNDER $100,000.00 $50.00 FOR IMPROVEMENTS OVER $100,000.00 To be used with County Building Permit ONLY.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County building-permit application and appeals process.

    • Fees and approved application are submitted to the County Director of Tax Equalization.
    • Fees are due before project start.
    • Appeals proceed first through the appropriate Township Clerk/Treasurer for a Township Assessor decision, or to the County Commission via the County Auditor for a Township Board or County Director decision.
    • The County Commission decision is final except as provided by law.
    “Fees and approved application shall be submitted to the Steele County Director of Tax Equalization. Building permit fees shall be charged and collected PRIOR to the start of the project.”

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.”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    On-site wastewater treatment systems statewide in North Dakota.

    • The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality licenses onsite wastewater treatment system installers.
    • A local public health unit issues the system permit before work begins.
    • Installers must follow local codes.
    “The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality oversees the licensing of onsite wastewater treatment system installers”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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-builder exemption from county building-permit requirements.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Steele County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Steele County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Steele County.
5 more unanswered
  • 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 Steele County, North Dakota

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

Steele County scores 45/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,289 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (21.8″/yr rainfall).

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

Steele County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Steele County Public Health. 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Steele County is allowed: RV occupancy on private land in unincorporated Steele County insofar as county land-use zoning is concerned. Steele County states that it is not involved in zoning regulations; zoning information must be obtained from the applicable township or city. This claim does not resolve township, municipal, septic, building-permit, floodplain, health, or other applicable rules. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Steele County, North Dakota?

Land in Steele County runs about $2,962 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Steele County?

Steele County gets about 21.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 9.9% of years.

How remote is Steele County?

A representative private-land location has about 1,289 people within a 30-minute drive and 460,397 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 Steele County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Steele compares in North Dakota

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