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

Hope’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New structures and changes to the footprint of a structure inside Hope city limits, under the Steele County ordinance's all-areas jurisdiction clause.

  • Does not apply to ordinary exterior maintenance, including graveling a driveway, new shingles, new siding, planting grass, or window or door replacement.
  • Does not apply to ordinary interior maintenance, including trim work or new appliances.
  • Uses specifically exempted from county jurisdiction under NDCC are excepted.
  • Farm-exempt structures still require a building permit.

  “These regulations shall apply to all areas of Steele County, except:”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits inside Hope city limits under the Steele County ordinance's all-areas jurisdiction clause.

  • Fees and approved application must be submitted to the Steele County Director of Tax Equalization.
  • Fees are charged and collected before the project starts.

  building permit fee for improvement under $100,000: 25 USD · building permit fee for improvement above $100,000: 50 USD

  “$25 for any improvement under $100,000 $50 for any improvement above $100,000”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside Hope city limits under the Steele County ordinance's all-areas jurisdiction clause.

  • Submit fees and an approved application to the Steele County Director of Tax Equalization before the project begins.
  • The listed maintenance and jurisdictional exceptions apply.

  “Fees and approved application shall be submitted to the Steele County Director of Tax Equalization.”

Rules another office applies inside Hope

Hope 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 septicState (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater treatment systems, commonly known as septic systems, inside Hope city limits.

  • The Department of Environmental Quality has exclusive rulemaking authority except as otherwise provided by law.
  • A local public health unit or other political subdivision may issue an installation permit under state rules.

  “Except as otherwise provided by law, the department has the exclusive authority to adopt rules regarding licensing, permitting, and inspections of onsite wastewater treatment systems.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Hope city limits.
• Building code adopted — Buildings inside Hope city limits.
• Inspections — Residential building work inside Hope city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Hope city limits.
• Local zoning — Land inside Hope 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.