Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Des Lacs, North Dakota

Rules another office applies inside Des Lacs

Des Lacs 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 septicLocal (with conditions)

  Onsite sewage treatment systems inside Des Lacs city limits, a Ward County municipality.

  • FDHU's stated service area includes Ward Counties.
  • The rule concerns installation or repair of any part of an onsite sewage treatment system.

  “First District Health Unit (FDHU) requires a permit for the installation and/or repair of any part of an onsite sewage treatment system in Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan, or Ward Counties.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation or repair of an onsite sewage treatment system inside Des Lacs city limits.

  • FDHU's stated service area includes Ward Counties.
  • A permit must be received before work.
  • For a building producing sewage or wastewater, the page states the permit requirement when no existing community septic system is available.
  • Work must be completed by an NDDEQ-licensed septic contractor or certified property owner.

  “A septic permit must be obtained from First District Health Unit when constructing a building that will produce sewage or wastewater, and no existing community septic system is available.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New onsite sewage treatment systems inside Des Lacs city limits.

  • FDHU's stated service area includes Ward Counties.
  • The final inspection must be scheduled before backfilling or covering the system.
  • Either the property owner or contractor must contact First District to schedule it.
  • Without final inspection and approval, the system is unapproved and illegal.

  “A final inspection must be scheduled prior to backfilling or covering the new system. Either the property owner or contractor must contact First District to schedule the inspection. Without final inspection and approval, the septic system will be considered unapproved and illegal.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Onsite sanitation for a building producing sewage or wastewater inside Des Lacs city limits.

  • FDHU's stated service area includes Ward Counties.
  • A septic permit is required when no existing community septic system is available.
  • The permit and design must be complete before installation.
  • The system must receive final inspection and approval.

  “A septic permit must be obtained from First District Health Unit when constructing a building that will produce sewage or wastewater, and no existing community septic system is available.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  FDHU environmental-health permits, including septic permits, inside Des Lacs city limits.

  • FDHU's stated service area includes Ward Counties.
  • The webpage identifies its fee schedule as the 2026 fee schedule.

  “Fees are charged for many environmental health services. The 2026 fee schedule can be found below, along with necessary forms, regulations, and other documents.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  FDHU onsite-sewage permit process inside Des Lacs city limits.

  • FDHU's stated service area includes Ward Counties.
  • The applicant must flag utilities and mark proposed building corners, stub-out location, well sites, and property lines or corners before submitting the application.
  • Failure to do these items may delay permitting.
  • FDHU conducts the site evaluation and all designs must be completed or approved by FDHU.

  “After the application is processed an Environmental Health Practitioner will conduct a site evaluation of the property, take soil samples, and determine a location and design for your septic system. All septic system designs need to be done or approved by FDHU.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Des Lacs or Ward County directly.

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Des Lacs city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Des Lacs city limits.
• Building code adopted — Residential construction inside Des Lacs city limits.
• Inspections — Residential construction inside Des Lacs city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Des Lacs 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.