Overview

The Building Inspections Division administers adopted ordinances related to development within the City of Bismarck and the City of Bismarck extra-territorial area. Major responsibilities include building code and zoning enforcement, permitting, plan review, inspections, floodplain management, mechanical contractor licensing, and addressing.

Building Inspections Division Services in Response to COVID-19

The City of Bismarck Building Inspections Division office will be locked to public access until further notice. During this time, Building Inspections Division staff will be working remotely. They can be reached by email or phone during normal business hours, 8:00am-5:00pm.   

In an effort to reduce exposure and protect the general public and our city employees, inspections will be suspended for all projects where access to an occupied dwelling unit is required. We are working hard to continue to provide inspections services during this unprecedented time and appreciate your flexibility while we prioritize lower risk locations such as new residential and commercial projects, including any healthcare facilities and critical infrastructure. 

Submitting Permit Applications

Registered contractors and public users may submit permit applications and upload documents online using eTRAKiT. Permit applications and documents may also be submitted by emailing the Building Inspections Division at buildinginspections@bismarcknd.gov.

Requesting Inspections

Registered contractors and public users may request inspections online using eTRAKiT. Inspections requested using eTRAKiT must be submitted one day prior to the date of the inspection. Inspections may also be requested by contacting the Building Inspections Division at 355-1465 or by contacting an inspector by email or phone. In all cases, the permit status must be ISSUED in order to request an inspection.  

Please have the following information ready when requesting inspections: 

1. Property address or permit number. 

2. Name and phone number of the individual requesting the inspection. 

3. Time (am or pm) and date when you would like the inspection completed. 

We will do our best to complete all inspections at the time requested; however, if we cannot accommodate the request an inspector will contact the individual requesting the inspection to reschedule.  

Inspector Contact Information

Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Inspectors are assigned districts within the City of Bismarck and City of Bismarck extra-territorial area (ETA). The following links will provide you with an Inspector District Map. To find the contact information for each Inspector in your area, simply select the inspection type you are looking for information on and navigate to the property location. 

Building Inspection Districts

Electrical Inspection Districts

Plumbing and Mechanical Inspection Districts

Inspections Protocol

Prior to completing an inspection, a phone screening must be made to ensure it is safe for our inspectors to go on site to complete an inspection. The following questions must be asked to the individual requesting the inspection: 

Do you or any of the individuals that are working onsite have any of the following symptoms? 

•  Fever 
•  Chills 
•  Shortness of breath 
•  Cough 
•  Sore throat 
•  Been in contact with anyone who has been ill in the past 14 days? 
• Traveled outside of North Dakota within the last 14 days?

If the answer is “YES” to any of these questions an inspection will not be scheduled. If an inspection is scheduled and the inspector does not feel safe while completing an inspection or the following protocol is not being followed, our inspectors may deny the inspection and remove themselves from the job-site.  

The following inspection protocol, must be followed by contractors, inspectors, and anyone else that remains on the job-site during an inspection: 

• Maintain a distance of at least 6’ from any other person. 
•  Do not shake hands, share or exchange documents, tools, or equipment.   
•  Frequently sanitize hands by washing or applying sanitizer. 
•  Have fewer than 10 individuals in a congregated work place.