Administrative overview · FIPS 38101
Ward County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Ward County Building Inspector / Tax Equalization Office
For a project in or near Ward County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
701-857-6429 (Building Inspector); 701-857-6420 (Auditor/Treasurer)
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Ward County Courthouse, 225 SE Third St, Second Floor, Minot, ND 58701
Operating hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; closed county holidays
Review expectation
N/A; applications, plans, fees, and supporting documents are reviewed and approved before payment is accepted and the permit is issued.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Ward County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Ward County Building Inspector / Tax Equalization Office is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 701-857-6429 (Building Inspector); 701-857-6420 (Auditor/Treasurer).
How long might review take?
N/A; applications, plans, fees, and supporting documents are reviewed and approved before payment is accepted and the permit is issued.
How are inspections scheduled?
Building inspections are scheduled by appointment through the Ward County Building Inspector at 701-857-6429. Required inspections include footings, foundation, underground plumbing, framing, rough and final electrical/plumbing/mechanical, and final building inspection; electrical and plumbing inspections are scheduled with the state inspectors.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
North Dakota State Building Code 2023, including IRC, IBC, IFGC, IMC, IFC, plus Ward County ordinances; state plumbing and electrical boards enforce and inspect plumbing and electrical work. Farm buildings, including farm residential structures, are exempt under the Ward County zoning resolution. The current application generally requires permits for construction, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, occupancy changes, buildings over 120 square feet, foundations, load-bearing walls, larger decks, tall fences, and regulated electrical/gas/mechanical/plumbing work.