FAQ

After all, you'll only be alerting the local building instructor, not to mention the tax assessor, to your plans. Next thing you know, he'll be looking over your shoulder making sure you do everything his way, and, in the process, perhaps delaying the project and maybe even requiring additional unplanned changes to already completed work. Who needs that? You do, for any number of reasons including legal and insurance issues as well as the safety of your home and family. Permits are a method the city or county uses to insure that local building codes are followed. Moreover, they are required by law. A permit is your formal, legal permission to start a construction project. And the certificate of occupancy that results from adhering to the local building codes and passing the required inspections is your legal permission to live in your house.

Permits are required for new buildings, remodeling of existing buildings and additions. A permit is required for detached storage buildings, sheds, residential garages and decks (attached or freestanding). Permits are also required for plumbing, mechanical and electrical work or for any excavations done on public property including housemoving, demolition and water and sewer projects. Permit fees are established from time time by Resolution of the City Council. When in doubt about whether or not a permit is necessary for a project you're about to embark on, please call the building department at City Hall to ask.

Building permits for work done on any residential building, single family or two family, garages (attached or detached), storage buildings and decks are calculated on a square footage element. Building permits for three family dewllings and larger, commercial, industrial, government buildings, schools, churches and hospital are calculated on the total contract cost. Fence, demolition, housemoving, excavation, gas, water and sewer permits are $50.00 each. Plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits are calculated based on total contract cost.

Every lot in the city limits should have permanent markers at each property corner. If these markers are not at the corners or if they cannot be found, you will be required to have them placed or replaced by a licensed land surveyor. For more information contact City Hall at (701) 252-5900.

The City does not have a sign ordinance but does have some specific requirements relative to the sign placement. On a commercial or industrial lot, the support(s) for the sign face is required to be completely on private property and any part of the sign face cannot extend beyond the property line. No sign at any street intersection shall be taller than 3 feet within 20 feet in each direction to not obscure sight visibility for motorists to be able to see. Exceptions can be made to this requirement based on approval of the location by the Building Official and the Police Department.

The number of inspections depends on the complexity of the job. A deck usually requires only two, one after the footings are dug and one when the framing is finished. A room addition requires one each after the foundation, backfilling and framing; another after the insulation is installed; another to check the wall and ceiling materials; and a final after finished electrical work and smoke alarms are installed.

Yes you can, only on property you own or occupy, however, not on commercial or rental property.

Yes, these are considered normal maintenance.

Inspections are required before wiring is covered and a final inspection needs to be done when the work is completed.

Fees are determined based on a fee schedule designed by the North Dakota State Electrical Board.

Yes, provided you live in the house. You cannot work on a friends or neighbors house; that work is to be done by a licensed plumber.

No, this installation is required to be done by a licensed water and sewer installer or by a licensed plumber.

Yes, the city does not require a licensed contractor to install furnaces, duct work, etc.

No, the city requires that you be a licensed and bonded gas fitter.