Ramsey County has no county zoning or building permit program in 2026: its Planning & Zoning page says zoning is carried out by the cities and townships. The City of Devils Lake Building Department (423 6th St NE, 701-662-7600 ext. 2) issues permits inside the city and across its two-mile extraterritorial area, and six townships enforce their own zoning ordinances. On August 18, 2026 the County Commission approved a county Zoning Ordinance that takes effect on January 1, 2027.
What needs a permit in Ramsey County?
It depends on where the land is. In Devils Lake and its two-mile area, the city requires a building permit for:
Devils Lake permits
- New homes and additions
- Garages, and lawn sheds over 120 sq ft
- Decks and fences
- Remodeling
- Siding replacement
- Bedroom and egress windows
- Demolition
Elsewhere in the county
- Six townships apply their own zoning ordinances
- The county’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan describes the rest of the county as unzoned
- The new county Zoning Ordinance applies from January 1, 2027
- Septic systems need a Lake Region District Health Unit permit throughout the county
Who issues permits in Ramsey County?
The county’s Planning & Zoning page states that planning and zoning regulations are carried out by the individual cities and townships while the county updates its plans. The 2025 Comprehensive Plan sets out who zones what:
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Area | Who handles zoning and building permits |
|---|---|
| Devils Lake (pop. 7,333) and its two-mile area | City Building Department, Code Administrator Dustin Willey; 423 6th St NE, PO Box 1048 (701-662-7600 ext. 2). The city has exclusive zoning within 1 mile; the county and city share the 1–2 mile band, and the county lets the city administer all of it. |
| Creel, North Creel, Grand Harbor, Poplar Grove, Minnewaukan and South Minnewaukan townships | Each township administers its own zoning ordinance. |
| Brocket, Crary, Edmore, Hampden, Lawton and Starkweather | The 2025 plan lists Devils Lake as the only community in the county with an active zoning ordinance. The published sources do not say whether these cities issue building permits; ask the city auditor. |
| Other townships | Unzoned under the 2025 plan. The county Zoning Ordinance approved in August 2026 takes effect January 1, 2027. |
County offices are in the courthouse at 524 4th Avenue NE, Devils Lake; the County Auditor’s number is 701-662-7007.
Devils Lake permits and handouts
The Devils Lake Building Department administers the building code and zoning by issuing permits and inspecting work during construction. It posts construction handouts on accessory dwelling units, basement construction, demolition, fences, finding property lines, post-frame buildings, residential handrails and guardrails, stairs, siding replacement and wood basements. Zoning rules are in Chapter 17 of the city code, and owners who cannot meet their district’s standards can ask the Board of Adjustment, appointed by the City Commission, for a variance through the Building Department.
Permit fees
Ramsey County has no building permit fee schedule while zoning stays with the cities and townships. Devils Lake’s fees are set in the city’s resolution establishing rates and fees effective January 1, 2026 (Chapter 17 for building), and Lake Region District Health Unit prints its septic fees on its permit application (updated April 16, 2024):
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| Devils Lake: one- or two-family home, or accessory structure | 0.3% of the cost of construction, minimum $10 |
| Devils Lake: multi-family or commercial building | 0.5% of construction cost up to $100,000, plus 0.1% above that; minimum $20 |
| Devils Lake: commercial plan review, projects over $50,000 | 50% of the building permit fee |
| Devils Lake: permit renewal | Double the original fee |
| Devils Lake: occupancy permit | $25 |
| Devils Lake: variance, conditional use or zoning change hearing | $50 each |
| Devils Lake: work started before the permit | May be charged an investigation fee equal to the permit fee, on top of the permit fee |
| LRDHU septic system with drain field | $400 |
| LRDHU holding tank or septic tank replacement | $200 |
| LRDHU non-residential system | $600 |
Example: a new house in Devils Lake with a construction cost of $300,000 has a building permit fee of 0.3% × $300,000 = $900. The six zoning townships set their own fees.
Electrical and plumbing
Electrical and plumbing permits and inspections come from the North Dakota State Electrical Board (701-328-9522) and State Plumbing Board (701-328-9977). Inside Devils Lake, gas piping also needs a city permit: $15 plus $5 per appliance under the 2026 rates and fees resolution.
Septic permit steps
Lake Region District Health Unit licenses and permits every new septic system and every repair in the county: septic tanks, drain fields, cesspools and holding tanks. Its published procedure:
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →- Fill in the whole permit application, with the full legal description from the county, an email address and a drawing of the current site and the planned system. The property owner signs it, not the installer.
- Pay when you apply ($400 with a drain field, $200 for a holding tank or tank replacement), by check, money order, cash or card.
- A preliminary permit is granted from the application; the system cannot be installed yet.
- For a drain field, the owner has a backhoe dig a pit 5 feet deep and 3 feet wide so the inspector can read the soil.
- After the site inspection the permit is written up and issued, and LRDHU is told which licensed installer will build the system.
- Holding tanks also need a contract with a licensed septic pumper.
How to get a permit in Ramsey County
Use the county parcel viewer to see whether it is in a city, within 2 miles of Devils Lake, or in one of the six zoning townships.
Apply to the city Building Department at 423 6th St NE; call 701-662-7600 ext. 2.
Contact the township board, which administers its own zoning ordinance, before you build.
For any land-disturbing work in the shore zone of Devils Lake, get a state Sovereign Lands permit, as the county plan notes.
Apply to Lake Region District Health Unit on the courthouse’s second floor before the system is installed.
Arrange electrical and plumbing permits with the state boards.
Rather not deal with the Ramsey County building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections
In Devils Lake and its two-mile area, the Building Department inspects work at stages throughout construction. Septic sites are inspected by Lake Region District Health Unit before the permit is issued, and LRDHU also inspects existing permitted systems on request. Electrical and plumbing inspections are done by the state boards.
Local Ramsey County details
New county zoning: the Planning Commission presented a county Zoning Ordinance to the County Commission, with the consultant IntelliPlanz answering questions. The Commission tabled it on August 4, 2026 and approved it on August 18, 2026 with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The 2025 Comprehensive Plan recommends a single code administrator and a unified building permit process for the county and townships, covering township and county zoning, subdivision, floodplain, septic and shoreline rules, with septic review by Lake Region District Health Unit built into the building permit.
Shoreline: the plan relies on the state Sovereign Lands permit for land-disturbing work between the high- and low-water marks of Devils Lake, including removing trees, soil, gravel or rocks.
Lake Region District Health Unit: 524 4th Avenue NE, Unit 9, on the second floor of the courthouse; 701-662-7035.
North Dakota building code
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
Official resources for Ramsey County
County, city, health unit and state sources:
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- NDCC chapter 54-21.3, North Dakota State Building Code
- North Dakota Department of Commerce building codes
- Ramsey County government website
- Ramsey County Planning & Zoning
- Ramsey County Comprehensive Plan (2025)
- Ramsey County Commission minutes, August 18, 2026 (zoning ordinance)
- City of Devils Lake Building Department
- City of Devils Lake building permits
- City of Devils Lake rates and fees resolution (effective January 1, 2026)
- Lake Region District Health Unit environmental health and septic
- LRDHU septic application process and procedures
Ramsey County permit FAQs
Does Ramsey County issue building permits?
No. In 2026 zoning is handled by the cities and townships; a county Zoning Ordinance approved on August 18, 2026 takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Who issues building permits in Devils Lake?
The city Building Department, 423 6th St NE (701-662-7600 ext. 2), for the city and its two-mile extraterritorial area.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Do I need a permit for a shed in Devils Lake?
Yes, if it is over 120 sq ft. Garages, decks and fences also need permits.
Which townships have zoning?
Creel, North Creel, Grand Harbor, Poplar Grove, Minnewaukan and South Minnewaukan, according to the county’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan.
Who issues septic permits in Ramsey County?
Lake Region District Health Unit, 524 4th Avenue NE, Unit 9, Devils Lake (701-662-7035). The fee, paid with the application, is $400 for a system with a drain field and $200 for a holding tank or tank replacement.
How much is a building permit in Devils Lake?
0.3% of the construction cost for a one- or two-family home or accessory structure (minimum $10), so $900 for a $300,000 house. Multi-family and commercial buildings pay 0.5% of the first $100,000 and 0.1% above that.
Who inspects electrical and plumbing work?
The North Dakota State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board.
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More North Dakota permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Ramsey County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.