Grand Forks County, North Dakota Building Permit Guide

Two offices issue building permits in Grand Forks County. In the county zoning jurisdiction, the County Zoning Administrator is also the County Building Official and enforces the International Building Code as amended by the State. Inside the City of Grand Forks and its two mile jurisdiction, the city’s Department of Building Safety reviews plans and inspects all construction.

This guide covers the County Planning & Zoning office, the City of Grand Forks Department of Building Safety and the County Highway Department.

What requires a building permit in Grand Forks County?

In the county zoning jurisdiction, building permits are required for all structures except agricultural buildings. In the City of Grand Forks, accessory buildings no more than 10 feet by 12 feet or 120 square feet and fences up to six feet tall need no building permit, though setbacks still apply and fences over 30 inches are not allowed in the first 15 feet of the front yard.

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 Grand Forks County?

The county office’s Zoning Administrator is also the Flood Plain Officer and runs the county storm water program. The city department also handles mechanical, electrical and plumbing reviews and floodplain management.

County forms and city rules

County forms

Besides the building permit application, the county posts approach, manufactured home, septic (chamber, mound and rock trench systems), new address, plat, special use and variance applications. Elevation certificates are required for any building in the flood plain.

County and township roads

Grand Forks County has 41 townships, and nearly 3/4 of the rural feeder roads are township roads rather than county roads. Call the County Highway Department at 701-780-8248 to find out whether a road is state, county or township.

City of Grand Forks

The city follows the 2021 International Residential Code. Mechanical, plumbing and electrical permits are separate, taken out by the subcontractors, and work cannot proceed without them. New-home plan approval usually takes a day or two, and sites in the 100-year floodplain need strict flood proofing.

Grand Forks County permit costs and fees

The county building permit costs $75.00 plus $3.00 per thousand of building cost. In the City of Grand Forks the fee is based on the value of the work, and garages are valued at $35.00 per square foot detached and $40.00 attached.

How to get a building permit in Grand Forks County

Inspections in Grand Forks County

Inside the city and its two mile jurisdiction, the Department of Building Safety inspects all construction, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

Official Grand Forks County permitting resources

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

• Grand Forks County Planning & Zoning
• Grand Forks County Highway Department
• City of Grand Forks Building Safety
• City of Grand Forks residential project guide

Frequently asked questions

Does Grand Forks County issue building permits?

Yes, in the county zoning jurisdiction, for all structures except agricultural buildings; the City of Grand Forks covers the city and its two mile jurisdiction.

What does a county building permit cost?

$75.00 plus $3.00 per thousand of building cost.

Does a shed need a permit in the City of Grand Forks?

Not if it is no more than 10 feet by 12 feet or 120 square feet, though setbacks still apply.

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