Bolthole Index

Ward County, North Dakota

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

46Index Score / 100
#35 of 53 in North Dakota

Ward County, North Dakota requires building permits in townships zoned by the county, and the Tax Equalization Office charges $4.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost1. Ward County uses four zoning resolutions for county-jurisdiction land, while 16 of its 57 townships regulate their own zoning23. First District Health Unit approval is required for sewer and water when a property will not connect to municipal service4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required in county-zoned townships; $4.50 per $1,000 of cost15
Zoning
Four county resolutions; 16 of 57 townships zone themselves23
Septic permits
Required before installation, alteration, repair or extension6
Owner-builder
Not confirmed as an exemption on the county's own page7
Septic soil suitability
29.5% of soils have no severe limit for a conventional drain field8
Septic inspection
Required before a new or modified system is covered9
Accessory dwelling
One per residential site under county zoning10
Floodplain manufactured home
Permit required for placement longer than 5 days11

Who to call

Building permits

Ward County Tax Equalization Office - Building Permits

Building permits, permit fees and building inspections for townships zoned by Ward County

701-857-6429

Ward County Courthouse, 225 SE Third St., Second Floor, Minot, ND 58701

Zoning

Ward County Planning & Zoning

County zoning administration and the Planning Commission

701-857-6405

[email protected]

225 3rd Street SE, Minot, ND 58702

Also useful

Ward County Planning & Zoning - Township Zoning Ordinances list

The published count and list of Ward County townships that regulate their own zoning instead of the county

Septic permits

First District Health Unit - Environmental Health Division

Septic (onsite wastewater) system permits, site evaluations and design approval for Ward County and six neighboring counties

701-852-1376

801 11th Ave. SW, Minot, ND 58701

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 Ward County, North Dakota?

Yes, in townships zoned by the county. Ward County, North Dakota issues building permits through the Tax Equalization Office for construction in townships the county zones1. The published building and alteration permit fee is $4.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost5. North Dakota's state building code took effect January 1, 2026, but state Community Services does not enforce it; cities, townships and counties elect whether to administer it, and county enforcement cannot displace city or township enforcement1213. Buildings used only for agricultural purposes are exempt from the state building-code chapter unless used for human habitation or by the public14.

Who is the Ward County building department, and how do you reach them?

Ward County's building permits go through the Tax Equalization Office15. Reach the office at the Ward County Courthouse, 225 SE Third St., Second Floor, Minot, North Dakota 58701, or call 701-857-642915. For property not connected to municipal sewer or water, the building-permit application requires First District Health Unit approval for sewer and water4. The application also asks for the name and license number of contractors for the listed trades15. Ward County does not confirm a building-permit exemption for an owner doing the work; ask the Tax Equalization Office how to complete the contractor fields if you plan to build for yourself7.

Does Ward County have zoning?

Yes, but the applicable ordinance depends on location. Ward County's four zoning resolutions cover the Air Force Base area, rural areas, the Souris River Floodplain and areas surrounding cities; municipal and extraterritorial jurisdictions may have separate rules216. Of Ward County's 57 townships, 16 regulate their own zoning3. County materials identify agricultural production, rural residential, community residential, recreational, rural industrial, highway commercial and Air Base Protection district labels, so a parcel's district matters as much as its township16. North Dakota law allows county zoning districts to have different rules, while requiring uniform rules within each district17. Ask Ward County Planning & Zoning at 701-857-6405 to identify the controlling jurisdiction and district before relying on a setback, use or occupancy assumption18.

How do septic permits work in Ward County?

First District Health Unit requires a permit before installing, altering, repairing or extending an onsite sewage treatment system in Ward County6. The permit is also required when a building will produce sewage or wastewater and no community septic system is available6. Work must be completed by an NDDEQ-licensed septic contractor or certified property owner19. A new or modified system must receive final inspection before it is backfilled or covered, and the installer must submit an as-built form after installation; without final approval, the system is unapproved and illegal9. Reach the district's Minot office at 801 11th Ave. SW, Minot, ND 58701, phone 701-852-137619. Only 29.5% of Ward County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, making septic feasibility an early due-diligence item8.

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

Ward County materials do not confirm a countywide rule specifically allowing full-time RV or tiny-home occupancy, so ask the zoning authority for the parcel's township and district2. Ward County zoning allows no more than one accessory dwelling per residential site and limits an accessory dwelling to no more than five non-family residents, with additional district-specific use rules possible10. In a regulated floodplain, a manufactured home needs a county permit before it remains at a site for more than five days, and additional anchoring and elevation rules apply11. New residential manufactured homes statewide must use state-licensed installers and inspectors, with at least two inspections for a double-wide and one for a single-wide20. A dwelling that produces wastewater without community septic service also triggers the local septic-permit requirement6.

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

  1. Ask Planning & Zoning which township, zoning authority and district control the parcel218.
  2. Confirm that the intended home and any accessory dwelling are allowed in that district before ordering plans1610.
  3. If municipal sewer or water is unavailable, obtain First District Health Unit approval for the sewer and water plan4.
  4. Secure the septic permit before any onsite-system work begins6.
  5. Apply through the Tax Equalization Office for the building permit and budget $4.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost5.
  6. Arrange the required septic final inspection before the system is covered and submit the as-built form after installation9.
  7. If the property is in the floodplain, account for the county's elevation requirements before construction15.

What to check before you buy land in Ward County

Start with jurisdiction: the county uses four zoning resolutions, some cities have separate or extraterritorial rules, and 16 of Ward County's 57 townships regulate their own zoning23. Check septic feasibility before closing because only 29.5% of Ward County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field8. If the parcel lacks municipal sewer or water, First District Health Unit approval becomes part of the building-permit process4. The terrain is generally gentle and open, with 90.3% of land at a slope of 15% or less and 2.5% wooded2122. Ward County averages 17.6 inches of precipitation annually, and severe drought occurs in 11.2% of years2324. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.1%, with a median annual bill of $2,7852526.

Watch-outs

  • Ward County zoning is location-specific: four county resolutions cover different areas, 16 of the county's 57 townships regulate their own zoning, and municipal or extraterritorial rules may apply23.
  • Do not cover a new or modified septic system before First District Health Unit's final inspection; without final inspection and approval, the system is unapproved and illegal9.
  • Ward County does not confirm a separate owner-builder exemption; ask the Tax Equalization Office how its contractor-information requirements apply to self-performed work7.

Sources

  1. Ward County Building Permits (2026 county census)
  2. Ward County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  3. Ward County Planning & Zoning - Township Zoning Ordinances list (co.ward.nd.us)
  4. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  5. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  6. Septic (Onsite Wastewater) Systems, quoted and re-checked
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  9. Septic (Onsite Wastewater) Systems, quoted and re-checked
  10. Ward County Land Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  11. Ward County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Codes | Commerce | North Dakota (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Building Codes (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-21.3, State Building Code (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Ward County Tax Equalization Office - Building Permits (co.ward.nd.us)
  16. Ward County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  17. North Dakota Century Code, Chapter 11-33, County Zoning (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Ward County Planning & Zoning (co.ward.nd.us)
  19. First District Health Unit - Environmental Health Division (fdhu.org)
  20. Manufactured Home Installation Program (North Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. 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

Ward County in North Dakota

46
County map
Ward County highlighted among the North Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Ward County scores

Seclusion60100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1999% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability57100% ev.
Property Autonomy73100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% 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 →

$287kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$2,272Land / acre
17.6"Annual rain
11.2% of yrsSevere drought
3.1 / yr (+2.8)Mid-century 100°F days
20.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.27" (+3.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.5×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,940Home insurance / yr
1.9% / yrInsurance growth
0.68%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
54,079People within 30 min
196,916People within 2 hr
4,102Radius comparison (15 mi)
33.9People / sq mi
23.2%Federal land
90.3%Land at 15% slope or less
29.5%Septic soil without severe limits
371,980 acWorkable land screen
2.5%Wooded land
17.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
40.5°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Ward County

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

Ward County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Ward County zoning resolutions within county jurisdiction.

    • Four zoning resolutions regulate the Air Force Base area, rural areas, Souris River Floodplain, and areas surrounding cities.
    • Municipal and extraterritorial jurisdictions may have separate rules.
    “Ward County's Zoning Ordinances are made up of four different Zoning Resolutions.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Ward County zoning districts and district boundaries.

    • The county identifies four zoning resolutions: Air Force Base area, rural area, Souris River Floodplain, and areas surrounding cities.
    • The county zoning page separately lists district labels including agricultural production, rural residential, community residential, recreational, rural industrial, highway commercial, and Air Base Protection districts.
    “Ward County's Zoning Ordinances are made up of four different Zoning Resolutions. Zoning District 1 regulates the land use surrounding Minot Air Force Base. Zoning District 2 regulates the land use within the rural areas of the County and is known as the "Rural Zone". Zoning District 4 regulates the land use within the Souris River Floodplain. Zoning District 6 regulates the land use surrounding Cities. All four are contained within a single document. Each district boundary is shown within the Zoning District Map.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home placement in Ward County floodplain areas.

    • A permit is required before a manufactured home is moved into or placed in the regulated floodplain area for more than five days.
    • Additional floodplain anchoring and elevation rules apply.

    maximum unpermitted placement duration: 5 days (permit required for longer placement)

    “On or after the date this ordinance is approved, no manufactured home shall be (a) moved into or within the geographical area to which this chapter applies and (b) placed at a site or location therein for more than five days unless a permit shall first have been obtained from the Ward County Planning/ Zoning Administrator.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwellings regulated by Ward County zoning.

    • No more than five non-family residents are allowed in an accessory dwelling.
    • No more than one accessory dwelling is permitted per residential site.
    • District-specific permitted or conditional-use rules may also apply.

    maximum non-family residents: <= 5 residents · accessory dwellings per residential site: <= 1 dwelling

    “Accessory dwelling residency limit to no more than 5 non-family residents allowed and no more than 1 accessory dwelling is permitted per residential site.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, alteration, repair, or extension of onsite sewage treatment systems in Ward County.

    • A permit is required before work begins.
    • A permit is required when constructing a building that produces sewage or wastewater and no existing community septic system is available.
    • The permit is issued by the adopting authority with jurisdiction.
    “A permit must be received prior to any work done on the system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New or modified onsite sewage treatment systems in Ward County.

    • Final inspection must occur before backfilling or covering the system.
    • Without final inspection and approval, the system is unapproved and illegal.
    • The installer must submit an as-built form after installation.
    “A final inspection must be scheduled prior to backfilling or covering the new system.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Building permit applications where the property is not connected to municipal sewer or water.

    • First District Health Unit approval for sewer and water is required if not connecting to municipal service.
    “First District Health Unit approval for sewer and water if not hooking to municipal service.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Ward County building and alteration permits in county-permitted areas.

    • The published fee is based on estimated construction cost.

    building and alteration permit fee: per 4.5 USD per $1,000 estimated construction cost

    “Fees for a building and alteration permits are $4.50 per $1,000 of the estimated construction costs”
  • Building permitRequired

    Ward County requires building permits for construction in townships zoned by the county, issued through the Tax Equalization Office; the county has a Building Inspector and a fee of $4.50 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost.

    Ward County Building Permits ↗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”
  • 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”
  • 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 processPartial

    Administration and enforcement of the North Dakota State Building Code by eligible city, township, and county jurisdictions.

    • A city, township, or county that elects to administer and enforce a building code must adopt and enforce the state building code.
    • Local jurisdictions may amend the state building code to conform to local needs.
    • A city or township may enforce only within its jurisdictional area; a county may enforce in areas where the state building code is not administered by a city or township.
    “Community Services is not involved in the enforcement of the State Building Code. This is the responsibility of jurisdictions that elect to adopt and enforce building codes.”
  • 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.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Ward County zoning districts.
  • Building height — Building-height limits in Ward County zoning districts.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Ward County.

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 Ward County, North Dakota

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

Ward County scores 46/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: thin water margin (17.6″/yr rainfall).

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

Ward County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by First District Health Unit (Environmental Health Division). 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 Ward County, North Dakota?

Land in Ward County runs about $2,272 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Ward County?

Ward County gets about 17.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.2% of years.

How remote is Ward County?

A representative private-land location has about 54,079 people within a 30-minute drive and 196,916 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 Ward County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Ward compares in North Dakota

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