Cass County, North Dakota Building Permit Guide

The City of Fargo Inspections Department, 225 4th Street North, enforces the codes Fargo has adopted for building, plumbing, electrical and heating/cooling work. Septic systems serving homes and small commercial buildings in Cass County are licensed and inspected by Fargo Cass Public Health.

Cass County’s website could not be checked when this guide was written, so it does not cover county planning, zoning or rural building permits; contact Cass County directly about property outside the City of Fargo.

What requires a building permit in Cass County?

Inside Fargo, a shed needs a permit if it is larger than 120 square feet or is in the floodplain, and whatever its size it must be at least 3 feet from the rear and side lot lines. A fence generally needs no permit unless it is more than 6½ feet tall. Any system with a drain field needs a valid soil sample before Fargo Cass Public Health licenses it.

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 Cass County?

Fargo rules and septic licensing

Fargo

Create an account in the Inspections Web Portal to request permits and schedule inspections. All new commercial building plans must also be submitted on paper, even when sent digitally. The 2024 International Codes have been in effect, with local amendments, since July 2, 2025, and the 2023 National Electrical Code since July 1, 2024.

To appeal a code decision, file the Appeal Request Form with the $150 filing fee at the Inspections Department at least 10 days before the Board of Appeals’ next regular meeting.

Septic systems

Any home or small commercial building that discharges household wastewater must have its septic system licensed and inspected by Fargo Cass Public Health. Each system with a drain field needs a valid soil sample, and the office needs 24-hour notice before an inspection.

Cass County permit costs and fees

Fargo’s one- and two-family building permit fees, effective January 1, 2026:

• Up to $1,000.00: $50.00
• $1,001.00 to $100,000.00: $50.00 for the first $1,000.00 plus $5.56 per additional $1,000.00
• Above $100,000.00: $600.44 for the first $100,000.00 plus $3.06 per additional $1,000.00

Starting work before the permit is issued doubles the fee on jobs of $0-$50,000. A demolition permit is $100.00 and a house moving permit $300.00, or $50.00 for buildings under 400 SF and buildings without utility services.

How to get a building permit in Fargo

Inspections in Cass County

Fargo inspections are scheduled through the Inspections Web Portal. Septic inspections are done by Fargo Cass Public Health with 24-hour notice.

Official Cass County permitting resources

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

• City of Fargo Inspections
• Fargo 2026 residential fees
• Fargo current codes
• Fargo Board of Appeals
• Fargo Cass Public Health septic systems

Frequently asked questions

Does Cass County issue building permits?

This guide could not confirm it, because the County’s website could not be checked. Contact Cass County directly.

Does a shed need a permit in Fargo?

Yes if it is larger than 120 square feet or in the floodplain; it must be at least 3 feet from the rear and side lot lines.

Who licenses septic systems in Cass County?

Fargo Cass Public Health, which needs a valid soil sample for any system with a drain field.

Simplify Cass 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 Cass County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.