Tiny House Rules and Regulations in North Dakota: A Quick Overview

There are no statewide requirements for tiny houses in North Dakota. Cities and counties mainly regulate these tiny houses; thus, the regulations vary from place to place. However, all houses must cater to certain minimum IRC standards that are in place.

Tiny houses offer affordable and simple living, unlike conventional houses. This has led to the immense popularity that tiny homes enjoy in this day and age. The living costs are quite affordable in North Dakota, and it is ranked No. 1 when it comes to quality of life in the U.S.

If you want to downsize to a minimalist lifestyle, and that too, without compromising on the quality of your life, you should consider a tiny house living in North Dakota.

However, certain laws in place govern tiny house construction in the state. If you fail to comply with these laws, your tiny house will be rendered illegal, and that is something you would never expect in the wildest of your dreams.

 

Here, we will look at the tiny house rules and regulations in North Dakota, which will help you get a deeper insight into the North Dakota tiny house construction process, thereby allowing you to enjoy a minimalistic lifestyle in The Peace Garden State. So, let’s begin.

 

Are tiny homes legal in North Dakota?

Tiny houses are legal in North Dakota. However, as aforementioned, no statewide laws govern tiny houses in North Dakota. Rather, the tiny houses here can be regulated by different counties and cities through local zoning regulations.

Thus, we can say that tiny house regulations vary from one jurisdiction to another in North Dakota, depending on zoning ordinances and local building codes.

 

Which types of tiny houses are allowed in North Dakota?

Tiny houses on foundations are allowed in North Dakota. The state considers these tiny homes as permanent dwelling spaces.

There are independent building codes in the state, designed in compliance with:

Any North Dakota tiny house on a foundation should be built in accordance with these compliance codes.

 

Are THOWs allowed in North Dakota?

If you adhere to the relevant regulations that are in place in North Dakota, tiny houses on wheels are allowed in several cities across North Dakota. Some necessary regulations include hooking up with utilities like electricity and water and obtaining a building permit.

Here, you should note that tiny houses on wheels are categorized as R.V.s, expanded as recreational vehicles and mobile houses. So, your house should also comply with the necessary regulations concerning R.V.s as well.

 

What are the specific requirements that a tiny home must cater to in order to comply with the building codes in North Dakota?

 

There are certain requirements that a tiny home must cater to in order to comply with the building codes in North Dakota.

These requirements mainly depend on whether your tiny home is categorized as temporary, permanent, or transitional. Moreover, since the state is located in Tornado Alley, the tiny houses here should be properly anchored to the ground.

Moreover, on account of the brutal winters in North Dakota, the tiny houses in this state should have proper insulation against cold weather conditions.

 

Rules governing temporary tiny homes

Tiny houses on wheels are generally considered temporary tiny homes. These houses are primarily considered R.V.s or mobile houses in North Dakota. So, all temporary tiny structures must be registered and comply with recreational vehicle regulations.

 

Rules governing permanent structures

North Dakota tiny homes must cater to the minimum standards set by the IRC or International Residential Code for energy efficiency, fire safety, and structural integrity.

Here, we have mentioned some essential requirements of the IRC that a tiny house on a foundation must cater to:

  • One room in the home must be a minimum of 120 square feet.
  • The ceiling height should be at least 7 feet from the ground.
  • Hallways, doors, and stairs should be at least 3 feet wide.
  • There must be stairs and windows in the lofts for emergency exit.

 

Rules governing transitional structures

Transitional regulations do not have any such regulations. You should contact the local authorities, who will guide you on whether you set up one tiny house in that area and the necessary safety standards that the tiny home must cater to.

You may be allowed to set up a transitional structure, but the specific regulations will depend on the structure’s intended use.

 

Which counties in North Dakota permit tiny houses?

Here is a list of the most sought-after counties in North Dakota for tiny living:

  • Grand Forks County: Grand Forks County is one of the most popular places for living tiny in North Dakota. The city will soon roll out necessary regulations governing tiny house construction.
  • Burleigh County: If you are looking for a friendly county in North Carolina for tiny houses, Burleigh County fits the bill like none other. Some tiny house regulations in this county permit the construction of these tiny dwellings in several places within its territory.
  • Cass County: Fargo in Cass County is one of the most tiny-house-friendly cities in North Dakota. There are many tiny houses scattered all around Fargo.

 

Can you permanently reside in a North Dakota tiny home?

You can permanently reside in a North Dakota tiny home, but it will be easier to reside permanently in a tiny house on a foundation than on wheels. This is because many counties and cities in North Dakota have certain stringent restrictions that make residing permanently in a tiny house on wheels much more challenging.

 

Final Take:

Grand Forks, Fargo, and Bismarck are some of the most popular cities in North Dakota that are welcoming to tiny houses. If you, too, want to set up a tiny house in any of these mind-boggling places, you are at the right place. We at TinyHouseMe have an online directory where you will find a comprehensive listing of all certified tiny house builders in the USA and Canada. Contact the builders via us, and we will place you in front of the line for them. Request a quotation now.