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

Buxton’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Internal and external building work or renovations inside Buxton city limits valued above $2,500.

  • The City page sets the threshold at work in excess of $2,500.
  • parameters for structural changes, additions, new construction, or major yard projects include a drawing or plan presented to a city council meeting for council approval.

  project-value threshold: > 2500 USD

  “The City of Buxton requires all internal and external building or renovations that are in excess of $2,500 to obtain a building permit before any work begins.”

• Building code adoptedPartial

  Buildings erected within Buxton's fire limits.

  • The ordinance expressly identifies the North Dakota State Building Code as the City's official building code for construction within fire limits.

  “No buildings or parts of any buildings shall be erected within the fire limits unless the construction meets the provisions of the North Dakota State Building Code, which is the official building code of the City.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Premises subject to Buxton's zoning chapter.

  • The cited inspection authority is for administration and enforcement of the zoning chapter; this source does not establish a separate general construction-inspection schedule.

  “Except as otherwise provided herein the zoning administrator shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, including the receiving of applications, the inspection of premises and the issuing of building permits.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Land use and buildings erected, altered, extended, used, or changed in use inside Buxton city limits.

  • A certificate is issued by the zoning administrator upon compliance with the zoning chapter.
  • For a nonconforming use, a certificate must be issued before it is maintained, renewed, changed, or extended.
  • Certificates are to be applied for with the building-permit application and issued within 10 days after approved erection or alteration.

  certificate issuance period: <= 10 days (after the erection or alteration has been approved)

  “No land shall be occupied or used and no building hereafter erected, altered or extended shall be used or changed in use until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the zoning administrator, stating that the building or proposed use thereof complies with the provisions of this chapter.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Buxton city limits.

  • Land and buildings must conform to the regulations for the mapped district in which they are located.

  “For the purposes of this chapter, the City is hereby divided into use districts and area districts as provided hereafter.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Buxton city limits.

  • The official zoning map is maintained on file with the City Auditor.
  • The code lists R-1 single-family, R-2 multi-family, C-1 commercial, I-1 industrial, AI-1 agricultural-industrial, A-1 agricultural, and P-1 parks and recreation districts.

  “The City is hereby divided into the following Use Districts to be known as: R-1 Residential Districts, Single-Family R-2 Residential Districts, Multi-Family C-1 Commercial Districts I-1 Industrial Districts AI-1 Ag Industrial A-1 Agricultural P-1 Parks and Recreation”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Single-family and multi-family residential development inside Buxton city limits.

  • The ordinance states these are minimum lot widths measured along the front building line; it does not provide a minimum square-foot lot area in the cited passage.

  single-family minimum lot width: >= 75 feet (measured along the front building line) · multi-family minimum lot width: >= 75 feet (measured along the front building line)

  “The following minimum lot widths: 1. Single-family - not less than 75 feet of lot width measured along the front building line. 2. Multi-family - not less than 75 feet of lot width measured along the front building line.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family and multi-family residential districts inside Buxton city limits.

  • Single-family rear-yard minimum is 50 feet.
  • Multi-family rear-yard minimum is 35 feet.

  single-family front yard: >= 30 feet · single-family side yard each side: >= 8 feet · single-family rear yard: >= 50 feet · multi-family front yard: >= 30 feet · multi-family side yard each side: >= 8 feet · multi-family rear yard: >= 35 feet

  “In single-family districts there shall be: 1. A front yard of not less than 30 feet. 2. A side yard on each side of not less than 8 feet. 3. A rear yard of not less than 50 feet.”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family and multi-family residential development inside Buxton city limits.

  • No accessory structure may be over one single story in either residential category.

  single-family maximum height: <= 35 feet · multi-family maximum height: <= 35 feet

  “and the following height restrictions: 1. Single-family not over 35 feet in height no accessory structure shall be over one single story Multi-family not over 35 feet in height and no accessory structure shall be over one single story.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational-vehicle occupancy inside Buxton city limits.

  • An RV on private premises must be vacant and not used for human habitation.
  • Human habitation is allowed only in a licensed RV park or for special events at designated locations approved by the building official.

  “A recreational vehicle may not be occupied or used for human habitation unless located in a licensed recreational vehicle park, or except for special events at designated locations approved by the building official.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile-home occupancy inside Buxton city limits.

  • Mobile homes may be allowed only on parcels properly zoned and platted for the use.

  “Mobile homes may be allowed on parcels of land that are properly zoned and platted for such use as allowed.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  Premises or buildings used or occupied for residence purposes inside Buxton city limits.

  • The ordinance requires proper connections with City sewer and water facilities and mains.
  • Proper connections are defined as connections with water mains and sanitary sewers equipped and furnished with proper valves and fittings to enable water connections to be used at all times.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to use or occupy or permit to be used or occupied for residence purposes, any premises or building within the corporate limits of this City without first making or causing to be made proper connections with the City’s sewer and water facilities and mains.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City building permits for projects inside Buxton city limits.

  • The published City fee schedule has one tier for projects valued from $2,500 to $10,000 and another for projects valued at $10,001 and over.

  building permit fee: 25 USD (projects valued at $2,500 to $10,000) · building permit fee: 50 USD (projects valued at $10,001 and over)

  “Projects Valued at $2,500 to $10,000 - $25 Building Permit Fee Projects Valued at $10,001 and Over - $50 Building Permit Fee”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Internal projects and structural changes, additions, new construction, or major yard projects inside Buxton city limits.

  • For internal projects, the request may be made by email or telephone to the City Auditor with a brief description.
  • For structural changes, additions, new construction, or major yard projects, a drawing or plan must be brought to a city council meeting for council approval.

  “For structural changes, additions, new construction or major projects that will be taking place in your yard, residents are required to bring a drawing/plan for the work to be done to a city council meeting for council approval.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Buxton city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Buxton city limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Buxton city limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Buxton city limits.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Buxton 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.