Burleigh County, North Dakota Building Permit Guide

Two offices issue building permits in Burleigh County, and both are at 221 N 5th St in Bismarck. Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning covers the townships named on its jurisdiction map dated 03/03/2026, less the Bismarck extraterritorial area (ETA). The City of Bismarck Building Inspections Department covers the city and its ETA.

This guide covers the County Building/Planning/Zoning office, the City of Bismarck and the County Highway Department.

What requires a building permit in Burleigh County?

In the County’s jurisdiction, permits are needed for new buildings and structures, remodels where the structure of a building is involved, basement finish work, septic systems and mechanical work. Sheds over 120 sq. ft. must sit on a floating slab. If you are not sure whether your work needs a permit, the County asks you to call 701-221-3727.

North Dakota has one State Building Code, but enforcing it is a local choice: where no city, township or county enforces it, there is no building code permit for private work, though a zoning permit may still apply. North Dakota rules

Who handles permitting in Burleigh County?

The County issues building permits in Apple Creek, Burnt Creek, Canfield, Crofte, Cromwell, Florence Lake, Fort Rice, Frances, Gibbs, Glenview, Hay Creek, Lincoln, Lyman, McKenzie, Menoken, Painted Woods, Phoenix and Riverview townships, less the Bismarck ETA.

Burleigh County and Bismarck rules

Burleigh County

Applications, document uploads and inspection requests go through the County’s online Permit and Inspection Portal. Online permits are reviewed and issued within 24 to 48 hours and invoiced within five days; the County does not accept online payments. Paper applications can be dropped off at 221 N. 5th Street, mailed to PO Box 5518, Bismarck, ND 58506-5518, or faxed to 701-221-3726, with separate forms for a new house, other building work, septic systems, plumbing, manufactured homes, commercial buildings and floodplain development.

Published review times: commercial 7 to 10 business days, new residential 3 to 5 business days, drainfield permits 2 to 3 business days, other permits within 1 business day. The County does not issue temporary certificates of occupancy. Its code sheet lists the 2021 International Building and Residential Codes, the 2018 North Dakota Plumbing Code and the 2017 National Electrical Code, and the County frost depth is 48 inches.

Septic systems need a County permit, and a new or expanded drainfield needs a soils report if one was not filed before August 2007. Zoning changes, plats, special use permits and variances go through the County Planning and Zoning Commission on the Unified Development Application; the County also posts township zoning ordinances, for example for Apple Creek, Gibbs, McKenzie, Naughton and Morton.

City of Bismarck

Bismarck takes applications and inspection requests through eTRAKiT, and the permit must show ISSUED before an inspection can be requested. The city enforces the 2021 International codes and is updating to the 2024 editions; draft amendments were due to be posted in September 2026.

County roads

Work in a county road right-of-way needs a Right-of-Way, Utility or Road Approach Permit from the Burleigh County Highway Department, 8100 43rd Ave NE, Bismarck, (701) 204-7748. A permit is not valid until the County Engineer has signed it.

Burleigh County permit costs and fees

The County charges a flat fee by project valuation:

• $1.00 to $2,000.00: $40.00
• $2000.01 to $10,000.00: $60.00
• $10,000.01 to $25,000.00: $200.00
• $25,000.01 to $50,000.00: $350.00
• $50,000.01 to $100,000.00: $500.00
• $100,000.01 to $200,000.00: $1,100.00
• $200,000.01 to $500,000.00: $1,750.00
• $1,000,001.00 and up: $3,000.00 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $2.50 for each additional $1,000.00

A demolition permit is $75.00, a moving permit $25.00 and a wind turbine facility $500.00 per turbine.

Bismarck’s residential fee sheet (last revised 1/01/25) starts at $40.00 for jobs up to $500.00; from $100,001.00 to $500,000.00 the fee is $623.45 for the first $100,000.00 plus $3.40 for each additional $1,000.00. New-home valuation uses $165.67 per sq. ft. for the 1st floor and $25.00 for a garage.

How to get a building permit in Burleigh County

Inspections in Burleigh County

County: inspections run Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., in two-hour blocks; requests after 4:00 pm are scheduled for the next day. Book by phone (701-221-3727), by text to (701) 220-4319 or in the portal.

Bismarck: the Required Inspections page says requests before 3:30 p.m. may be done the same day and later ones the next business day, with finals needing 24 hours’ notice; the main Building Inspections page says eTRAKiT requests must be made one day ahead. Call 701-355-1465 to confirm.

Official Burleigh County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning
• Burleigh County building permit jurisdiction map
• Burleigh County permit applications
• Burleigh County Highway Department permits
• City of Bismarck Building Inspections

Frequently asked questions

Does Burleigh County issue building permits?

Yes, in the townships on its jurisdiction map, less the Bismarck extraterritorial area, which the City of Bismarck permits.

How fast are Burleigh County online permits issued?

Online permits are reviewed and issued within 24 to 48 hours and invoiced within five days.

Can I get a temporary certificate of occupancy from Burleigh County?

No. The County does not issue temporary certificates of occupancy.

Simplify Burleigh County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm whether the parcel is under the county, a city or a city’s extraterritorial area
• Prepare the building application, site plan and any septic, floodplain or road approach permit
• Schedule the required inspections and close out the permit

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in North Dakota. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Burleigh County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.