North Dakota Regulations: Counties & Municipal Zoning Guide
Understanding where Amish tiny cabins are allowed in North Dakota depends on both county and city regulations. North Dakota has no single statewide tiny house law — each of the state’s 53 counties and their municipalities set their own rules on minimum square footage, foundation requirements, and where tiny homes can be placed. Many rural counties have minimal or no specific regulations, offering flexibility for placement. Others defer building and zoning authority to local cities and townships. In contrast, suburban and urban municipalities often enforce stricter zoning, including minimum dwelling sizes ranging from 300 to 1,000+ square feet, foundation requirements, and occupancy classifications. Because rules vary widely by location, it’s important to verify requirements with local authorities. The guide below provides a county overview and municipal references to help you confidently plan and place your tiny cabin in North Dakota.
Counties
Yes (likely). Adams County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Adams County Tax Equalization & Zoning
Yes. Barnes County explicitly permits park models in the recreational district, provided they don’t exceed 400 square feet. Contact the Barnes County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Barnes County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Benson County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Benson County Zoning Board
Yes. Billings County (home to Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park country) permits tiny homes — including park model tiny homes as small as 256 square feet — provided they meet county building codes and are placed on a permanent foundation. Contact the Billings County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Billings County Planning & Zoning
Yes. Bottineau County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Bottineau County Government
Yes (likely). Bowman County doesn’t publish detailed tiny home regulations. Contact the county or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Bowman County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Burke County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Burke County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Burleigh County (home to Bismarck — North Dakota’s state capital) permits mobile homes in mobile home parks, though specific sizing standards aren’t published. Contact the Burleigh County Building, Planning, and Zoning Department for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning
Yes (likely). Cass County (home to Fargo, ND’s largest city) doesn’t publish its zoning ordinance online, so the framework defers largely to municipalities including Fargo and West Fargo. Contact the Cass County Planning Office or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific guidance.
Resources: Cass County Planning Office
Does Cavalier County, North Dakota, Allow Amish Tiny Cabins?
Yes (likely). Cavalier County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Cavalier County Zoning
Yes. Dickey County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Dickey County Government
Yes. Divide County explicitly permits tiny homes that are 400 square feet or less and placed on a permanent foundation. Park models on wheels are allowed within mobile home parks. Contact the Divide County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific guidance.
Resources: Divide County Planning & Zoning
Limited. Dunn County’s ordinance classifies park model tiny homes as recreational vehicles intended for temporary use, not permanent dwellings. Tiny homes on permanent foundations may have a different path forward. Contact the Dunn County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Dunn County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Eddy County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Eddy County Zoning Board
Yes (likely). Emmons County may permit park model tiny homes if they’re 400 square feet or smaller and placed on a permanent foundation for occupancy approval. The county doesn’t publish detailed zoning rules online — contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for guidance.
Resources: Emmons County Government
Yes (likely). Foster County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Foster County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Golden Valley County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Golden Valley County Zoning
Yes. Grand Forks County (home to Grand Forks and the University of North Dakota) doesn’t explicitly approve or disapprove tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the Grand Forks County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific guidance.
Resources: Grand Forks County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Grant County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Grant County Planning & Zoning
Yes. Griggs County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Griggs County Government
Yes (likely). Hettinger County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Hettinger County Government
Yes (likely). Kidder County doesn’t have an official government website or publicly accessible zoning regulations — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific guidance.
Resources: North Dakota Government Directory
Yes. LaMoure County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: LaMoure County Government
Yes (likely). Logan County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Logan County Government
Yes (likely). McHenry County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: McHenry County Planning Commission
Yes. McIntosh County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: McIntosh County Government
Yes (likely). McKenzie County (home to Watford City — at the heart of the Bakken oil play) permits recreational vehicles in some districts. With the region’s housing demand from the oil industry, alternative housing including park models has become more accommodated. Contact the McKenzie County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific specifics.
Resources: McKenzie County Planning & Zoning
Yes. McLean County’s ordinance treats recreational vehicles (including park models) with a minimum size of 256 square feet, and they may be placed on a permanent foundation or remain on wheels. Contact the McLean County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific permit requirements.
Resources: McLean County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Mercer County’s regulations allow units of 400 square feet or smaller in multiple districts, provided they’re placed on a permanent foundation. Contact the Mercer County Planning and Zoning Board for property-specific details.
Resources: Mercer County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Morton County’s ordinance permits mobile homes as dwelling units, which suggests tiny homes are accommodated, though the county hasn’t published specific sizing standards online. Contact the Morton County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Morton County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Mountrail County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Mountrail County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Nelson County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Nelson County Government
Yes. Oliver County’s zoning ordinance permits mobile homes with dimensions of 8 ft × 32 ft (256 sq ft) at minimum, which means small park models qualify as tiny homes here. Contact the Oliver County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific building requirements.
Resources: Oliver County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Pembina County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Pembina County Planning & Zoning
Yes. Pierce County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Pierce County Planning & Zoning Board
Yes (likely). Ramsey County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Ramsey County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Ransom County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Ransom County Government
Yes (likely). Renville County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Renville County Planning & Zoning
Yes. Richland County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Richland County Government
Yes. Rolette County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Rolette County Government
Yes. Sargent County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Sargent County Government
Yes. Sheridan County permits tiny homes as small as 256 square feet in certain districts, provided they comply with county building codes and are placed on a permanent foundation. The county doesn’t publish a dedicated zoning department site online, so contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality within Sheridan County.
Resources: North Dakota Government Directory
Sioux County is largely composed of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation — sovereign tribal land governed by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe rather than ND county zoning. Tiny home rules on the reservation are determined by tribal authorities. Contact the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe directly or your specific municipality for property-specific guidance.
Resources: North Dakota Government Directory
Yes. Slope County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Slope County Zoning
Yes (likely). Stark County (home to Dickinson — gateway to North Dakota’s badlands and oil country) permits mobile homes and mobile home districts, though specific tiny home sizing isn’t published. Contact the Stark County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific guidance.
Resources: Stark County Planning & Zoning
Yes. Steele County doesn’t publish public zoning regulations at the county level — tiny home rules are determined by individual municipalities. Rural unincorporated areas typically have significant flexibility. Contact the zoning authority in your specific municipality for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Steele County Government
Yes. Stutsman County permits tiny homes that comply with county building codes — mobile homes 400 square feet or less may be allowed in multiple districts, with some areas requiring a conditional use permit. Contact the Stutsman County Zoning Department for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Stutsman County Zoning
Yes (likely). Towner County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Towner County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Traill County publishes mobile home guidance, which broadly applies to tiny homes and park models. Contact the Traill County Mobile Homes office for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Traill County Mobile Homes
Yes. Walsh County permits tiny homes that comply with county building regulations — mobile homes under 400 square feet may be permitted in various districts, though some areas require a conditional use permit. Contact the Walsh County Auditor’s Office for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Walsh County Auditor
Yes (likely). Ward County (home to Minot — gateway to oil country) doesn’t explicitly publish tiny home rules, but the framework permits mobile and manufactured homes in certain districts. Contact the Ward County Planning and Zoning Department for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Ward County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Wells County publishes some zoning materials but doesn’t specifically address tiny homes in its ordinance. Contact the county Planning and Zoning Department or your specific municipality’s zoning authority for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: Wells County Planning & Zoning
Yes (likely). Williams County (home to Williston — capital of the Bakken oil boom) doesn’t publish specific tiny home rules but accommodates alternative housing given the region’s housing pressure. Contact the Williams County Planning and Zoning Division for property-specific specifics.
Resources: Williams County Planning & Zoning
Municipalities
Beulah is in Mercer County which permits dwellings of 400 sq ft or less on permanent foundations. Contact the Beulah Zoning Department.
Resources: Beulah Zoning
Yes. Bismarck permits manufactured/tiny homes with a minimum area of 400 square feet — many park models meet this exactly. Contact the Bismarck Planning Department.
Resources: Bismarck Planning
Bottineau City doesn’t clearly outline tiny home regulations publicly. Contact city offices directly.
Resources: Bottineau Zoning & Building
Bowman is in Bowman County, which explicitly permits tiny homes as small as 256 sq ft on permanent foundations. Contact city offices.
Resources: Bowman County Planning & Zoning
Carrington is the seat of Foster County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: City of Carrington
Carson is the seat of Grant County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Grant County Government
Casselton (Cass County) provides little tiny home information publicly. Contact the Building Permit Department.
Resources: Casselton Building Permits
Cavalier is the seat of Pembina County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Pembina County Planning & Zoning
Center is the seat of Oliver County, which permits mobile homes 256 sq ft or larger. Contact local offices.
Resources: Oliver County Planning & Zoning
Cooperstown is the seat of Griggs County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Griggs County Government
Crosby is the seat of Divide County, which explicitly permits tiny homes 400 sq ft or less on permanent foundations. Contact local offices.
Resources: Divide County Planning & Zoning
Devils Lake doesn’t publish detailed tiny home rules. Contact the Building Department for guidance.
Resources: Devils Lake Building Department
Dickinson (gateway to ND’s badlands) doesn’t publish detailed tiny home rules. Contact the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Resources: Dickinson Planning & Zoning
Ellendale is the seat of Dickey County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: City of Ellendale
Does Fargo, North Dakota, Allow Amish Tiny Cabins?
Fargo’s zoning materials don’t clearly outline tiny home rules. Contact the Planning and Development Department.
Resources: Fargo Planning & Development
Fessenden is the seat of Wells County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Wells County Planning & Zoning
Finley is the seat of Steele County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Steele County Government
Forman is the seat of Sargent County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Sargent County Government
Fort Yates is the seat of Sioux County and within the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Tribal authorities govern many regulations. Contact the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Resources: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Grafton doesn’t publish detailed tiny home rules. Contact the Building Official.
Resources: Grafton Building Official
Grand Forks doesn’t publish detailed tiny home rules. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department.
Resources: Grand Forks Planning & Zoning
Hazen doesn’t publish detailed tiny home rules. Contact the Planning Commission.
Resources: Hazen Planning Commission
Hettinger is the seat of Adams County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Adams County Tax Equalization & Zoning
Hillsboro is the seat of Traill County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Traill County Mobile Homes
Yes. Horace permits tiny homes/park models 400 sq ft or less in the Mobile and Manufactured Home District (MH). Contact the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Resources: Horace Planning & Zoning
Jamestown’s tiny home rules aren’t thoroughly addressed. Contact the Building & Development Department.
Resources: Jamestown Building & Development
LaMoure is the seat of LaMoure County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: LaMoure County Government
Langdon is the seat of Cavalier County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Cavalier County Zoning
Lincoln (Bismarck metro) ordinance treats park models as non-permanent dwellings. Tiny homes without wheels may have a different pathway. Contact the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Resources: Lincoln Planning & Zoning
Linton is the seat of Emmons County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Emmons County Government
Lisbon doesn’t publish detailed tiny home rules publicly. Contact the city’s main office directly.
Resources: City of Lisbon
Limited. Mandan ordinance treats park models as non-permanent dwellings. Tiny homes without wheels may have a different pathway. Contact the Planning Department.
Resources: Mandan Planning
Manning is the seat of Dunn County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Dunn County Planning & Zoning
Medora is the seat of Billings County (which permits tiny homes 256 sq ft+ on permanent foundations). Contact local offices.
Resources: Billings County Planning & Zoning
Minot’s tiny home rules aren’t thoroughly outlined. Contact the Planning Commission.
Resources: Minot Planning Commission
Mott is the seat of Hettinger County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Hettinger County Government
Napoleon is the seat of Logan County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Logan County Government
New Rockford is the seat of Eddy County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Eddy County Zoning Board
New Town doesn’t publish detailed tiny home rules. Contact the city’s main office.
Resources: City of New Town
Rolla is the seat of Rolette County. Contact City Hall for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Rolette County Government
Rugby (geographical center of North America) ordinance treats park models as non-permanent. Tiny homes without wheels may have a different pathway.
Resources: Rugby Zoning Regulations
Stanley provides limited tiny home guidance. Contact the Planning & Zoning Committee.
Resources: Stanley Planning & Zoning
Stanton is the seat of Mercer County (permits dwellings 400 sq ft or less on permanent foundations). Contact local offices.
Resources: Mercer County Planning & Zoning
Steele is the seat of Kidder County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: Kidder County (No Government Website)
Towner is the seat of McHenry County. Contact local offices for tiny home permit specifics.
Resources: McHenry County Planning Commission
Valley City offers limited tiny home information. Contact the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Resources: Valley City Planning & Zoning
Wahpeton ordinance treats park models as non-permanent dwellings. Tiny homes without wheels may have a different pathway. Contact the Building Official.
Resources: Wahpeton Building Official
Washburn is the seat of McLean County (which permits RVs/park models 256 sq ft+). Contact local offices.
Resources: McLean County Planning & Zoning
Watford City (Bakken oil capital) ordinance treats park models as non-permanent. Tiny homes without wheels may have a different pathway. Contact the Building Department.
Resources: Watford City Building Department
West Fargo’s mobile home minimum is 650 sq ft, which makes tiny homes uncertain. Contact Planning & Zoning.
Resources: West Fargo Planning & Zoning
Williston (Bakken oil capital) doesn’t publish detailed tiny home rules. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department.
Resources: Williston Planning & Zoning
