City of Ray, North Dakota - Building Permits

City of Ray, North Dakota

city

PO Box 67, Ray, ND 58849

Required

Required

Building permits are handled at the Ray City Auditor's office, City of Ray, PO Box 67, Ray, ND 58849, on 701-568-2204, with the Williams County Building Division at 206 East Broadway, second floor, Williston, on 701-577-4567 and the county inspection line on 701-577-4576. The City publishes six documents in the Building Guidelines section of its Document Center: the Building Permit Application Process, the Residential Building Permit Application, the Commercial Building Permit Application, an Excavation Permit Application, the Residential and Commercial Site Inspection Checklist, and a Water-Sewer Connection Agreement form. FEES. The City's building permit fee is $25. The County's fees, as the City publishes them, run from a $75 minimum, or $4.00 per $1,000 of value up to $5,000,000 and $1.00 per $1,000 above that, with a commercial plan review fee of an additional 25% of the building permit fee on projects over $99,999 capped at $5,000; a temporary certificate of occupancy at $75 residential or $150 commercial; after-hours inspections at $75 an hour with a two-hour minimum; a $75 expired-permit reinstatement fee; a $75 special inspection fee; and a $75-an-hour plan review fee after a second incorrect submittal. Confirm the county figures with the County, since the City is republishing them. SEPARATE CITY PERMITS THAT CAN CATCH A ROOFING JOB. An excavation permit is $500, a street cut fee is $500, and the property owner is responsible for hiring a contractor to repair the street back to City standards, "which requires inspection and approval from the City Engineer." If a job needs a dumpster placement or lift set-up that breaks pavement, that is a separate permit and a separate fee. THE NORTH DAKOTA ONE CALL LAW is flagged on the City's own application wherever excavation will be performed. TIMING. The City permit is valid for one year from issue, and the final City approval is a vote of the Ray City Commission, so build the Commission's meeting calendar into any start date.

Ray adopts the North Dakota State Building Code on a FLOATING basis, and it lists no local exceptions to it. Ray Code of Ordinances Section 8-1(a), in Chapter 8, Buildings and Building Regulations, provides: "The erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, uses, height, area and maintenance of buildings or structures in the city shall meet with the provisions of the rules and regulations of the state building code and any future updates and amendments to that code, a copy of which is on file with the county building inspector who acts as the city inspector. That code is hereby adopted and made a part of this chapter by reference with the exception of the following sections affecting local conditions in the city." THE SENTENCE PROMISES EXCEPTIONS AND THE CHAPTER LISTS NONE. Chapter 8 was read in full as codified through Ordinance No. 2-23.01, adopted 13 January 2026 - Article I, In General (Sections 8-1 and 8-2), Article II, Plumbing Code (Sections 8-23 through 8-26), and Article III, Dangerous Buildings (Sections 8-56 through 8-66) - and no list of excepted sections follows Section 8-1(a). So on the face of the codified chapter the state code applies to a house in Ray unmodified. WHAT THE FLOATING ADOPTION MEANS TODAY. Because the adoption takes "any future updates and amendments to that code," a change at state level reaches Ray without a new City ordinance. The 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book states: "Effective January 1, 2026, the North Dakota State Building Code consists of the 2024 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), International Energy Conservation Code, and the International Existing Building Code as published by the International Code Council (ICC)," and adds "NO APPENDICES ARE ADOPTED." A one- or two-family dwelling in Ray therefore runs on the 2024 International Residential Code, with no appendix chapters. TWO CODES THE STATE CODE DOES NOT INCLUDE. The same code book states that the State Building Code "does not include the International Property Maintenance Code or the International Fire Code" and that those "to be in effect, must be adopted separately by each city, county, or township." Ray's Chapter 8 adopts neither, so neither is in force in the City by that route. Section 8-2 separately adopts the state electrical wiring standards set by the State Electrical Board, and Article II adopts the state plumbing code. THE STATE FRAMEWORK, FOR CONTEXT. North Dakota Century Code Section 54-21.3-03(6) provides: "The governing body of a city, township, or county that elects to administer and enforce a building code shall adopt and enforce the state building code. However, the state building code may be amended by cities, townships, and counties to conform to local needs." Section 54-21.3-05 allows cities and counties to "provide by agreement for joint administration and enforcement," which is what Section 8-1(a) describes when it puts the code on file with the county building inspector and makes that officer the city inspector.

Required — The International Residential Code drip-edge requirement for asphalt-shingle roof coverings applies in Ray unamended, and both instruments that could have changed it were opened and read. THE CHAIN. Ray Code of Ordinances Section 8-1(a) adopts "the state building code and any future updates and amendments to that code," which since 1 January 2026 has been the 2024 International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings, per the 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book. Chapter 8 was then read in full, Sections 8-1 through 8-66, as codified through Ordinance No. 2-23.01 adopted 13 January 2026: it contains no roof-covering provision at all, and although Section 8-1(a) promises exceptions "affecting local conditions in the city," none is listed. The North Dakota amendments to the 2024 International Residential Code were also read in full, the numbered section amendments running from Section 104.8 to Section 2103.3, and none reaches the roof-assemblies chapter. So there is no local softening and no local addition, and the requirement stands as the adopted code writes it. WHAT THIS RECORD DOES NOT DO. The operative International Code Council text of the drip-edge section sits behind the ICC paywall; this record does not restate it and does not rely on any third-party republication of it. What is recorded is the sourced fact that the requirement is in force in Ray unamended. Take the material, the extent and the fastener spacing from the 2024 International Residential Code itself, or from the Williams County building inspector, who administers the code in Ray. AND ONE PRACTICAL POINT. If the Williams County exemption for "re-roofing existing roofs" means no permit is pulled for your job, that removes the inspection, not the requirement - exempt work still has to comply with the adopted code. About drip edge

Not required — No mid-roof, roof-deck or roof-covering inspection stage exists for a job in Ray. WHO INSPECTS. Ray Code of Ordinances Section 8-1(a) puts the adopted code on file with "the county building inspector who acts as the city inspector," and the City's own Building Permit Application Process sheet says the "Williams County inspector completes inspection" and that the "Williams County Certificate of Occupancy" is issued to the City of Ray, which sends it to the applicant. The City's residential application repeats that all work "must be inspected by the Williams County Building Inspector before being put in use." So the operative inspection schedule is the County's. WHAT THAT SCHEDULE IS. Williams County publishes its stages on its Building Inspections page and they were read in full: Footing, called when footing forms and reinforcing are in place but before any concrete; Foundation Wall, called when wall forms are complete and reinforcing is in place but before any concrete; Structural Concrete Slab, on the same basis; Framing, called "when structural components are complete but prior to concealing with insulation or finishes," with all electrical and plumbing rough-in in place; Insulation, called when insulation is complete and all windows, doors and exterior weather barriers are in place; and Final, called when the project is complete and the State Electrical Inspector and the State Plumbing Inspector have signed off. No roof, underlayment or mid-roof stage appears on it. THE QUALIFICATION THE COUNTY ITSELF GIVES. The page opens by saying these "are the most common required inspections" and that "Additional inspections may be required depending on the project," so a hold point specific to a job can still be set even though none is published for roofs. THE CITY ALSO RUNS A SITE INSPECTION, AND IT IS NOT A ROOF INSPECTION. Ray publishes a Residential and Commercial Site Inspection Checklist, signed by both a Williams County officer and a City officer, covering grading and drainage away from the foundation, stabilisation and seeding of exposed areas, sidewalks, off-street parking, sight lines at intersections, debris on site and access to the curb stop. It is a landscaping and site checklist. Inspections are booked with the County on 701-577-4576.

Not required — No impact-resistance mandate applies in Ray, at either level of government, and that is established by reading the instruments rather than by failing to find one. CITY LEVEL. Chapter 8 of the Ray Code of Ordinances, Buildings and Building Regulations, is the City's building instrument, and it was read in full - Article I, In General, Sections 8-1 and 8-2; Article II, Plumbing Code, Sections 8-23 through 8-26; Article III, Dangerous Buildings, Sections 8-56 through 8-66 - as codified through Ordinance No. 2-23.01 adopted 13 January 2026. It contains no UL 2218, Class 4, Class IV or FM 4473 provision, and no impact, hail or roof-covering rating requirement of any kind. Section 8-1(a) adopts the state building code and lists no excepted sections. STATE LEVEL. The North Dakota amendments to the 2024 International Residential Code, published in the 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book, were read in full - the numbered section amendments running from Section 104.8 to Section 2103.3 - and none addresses roofing at all, let alone impact rating. COUNTY LEVEL, WHICH MATTERS HERE BECAUSE THE COUNTY ADMINISTERS THE CODE IN RAY. Williams County states its adopted codes on its Building Division page - the 2026 North Dakota State Building Code, being the 2024 IBC, IRC, IMC and IFGC, plus the 2024 International Fire Code adopted separately - and names no impact standard. AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION. Impact resistance under UL 2218 is a hail rating. It is not the same thing as a fire classification, which is graded under ASTM E108 or UL 790, or a wind rating, which is graded under ASTM D3161 or D7158. An impact-rated shingle may well be worth buying in northwest North Dakota, and an insurer may discount for one, but nothing in Ray or North Dakota law requires it.

ROOFING IS NAMED ON RAY'S PERMIT LIST, THERE IS NO DOLLAR OR SIZE THRESHOLD UNDER IT, AND THE CITY AND THE COUNTY DO NOT CURRENTLY SAY THE SAME THING. Read both statements before you promise a homeowner that no permit is needed. WHAT THE CITY PUBLISHES. Ray's Building Guidelines page, headed "BUILDING GUIDELINES-READ BEFORE YOU BUILD!!!", splits the question in two. Under "A CITY PERMIT or ZONING CONFORMANCE IS NEEDED WHEN:" it lists "Any structure will be built on your property. This includes but is not limited to: fences, sidewalks, storage sheds, decks, additions to your house, garages and manufactured homes," and sets the City fee at $25. Under "A COUNTY BUILDING PERMIT IS NEEDED FOR:" it states that "A building permit is required when an individual intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure," and the list that follows opens "Any structural modifications" and then, in terms, "Roofing, siding, and replacement of windows." Nothing on the page makes that turn on the value of the job or the area of roof touched. The City's own exemption list is short - one-story detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or less used as tool and storage sheds and playhouses, retaining walls under 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge, sidewalks and driveways, painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work, and swings and other playground equipment - and re-roofing is NOT on it. WHAT THE COUNTY PUBLISHES. The Williams County Building Permits page states the same general permit rule and then lists "Work exempt from a building permit," and that list includes, word for word, "Re-roofing existing roofs" and "Re-siding existing exterior siding." So the office that actually issues the building permit currently exempts the work that the City's page sends you to it for. This record does not choose between them. The safe course is the one both offices give: ask before you start. City Hall is on 701-568-2204 and the Williams County Building Division on 701-577-4567. WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE EITHER WAY. The City's own Residential Building Permit Application is headed "Required for All Residential Construction Excluding Interior Remodeling (within City limits)" - a re-roof is not interior remodeling - and it offers "Alteration" as a type of work. And a permit exemption is never a code exemption: exempt work still has to comply with the adopted building code. STRUCTURAL WORK IS NOT EXEMPT ON EITHER PAGE. Both the City's and the County's lists put "any structural modifications" on the permit-required side, so a job that replaces rafters or trusses, changes the roof line, or adds a dormer needs a permit whatever view is taken of a plain tear-off-and-recover. THE SEQUENCE, WHICH IS UNUSUAL AND WORTH PLANNING ROUND. The City's own one-page "Building Permit Application Process (within city limits)" sets it out: complete the City of Ray Building Permit Application and pay the $25 fee at the City Auditor's office; take a copy of the application and the receipt to the Williams County Building Department; apply for the Williams County permit and pay the county fees; present building plans and any other information the county asks for; once the county permit is granted, bring it back to the City Auditor's office; the entire application is then approved by the Ray City Commission and the applicant is notified; the Williams County inspector completes the inspection; and the Williams County certificate of occupancy is issued to the City of Ray, which sends it to the applicant. Because the last approval is a City Commission vote, the schedule runs on the Commission's meeting calendar, not on counter hours. THE APPLICATION ITSELF ASKS FOR MORE THAN A SMALL JOB USUALLY CARRIES. The City's residential form requires a lot survey drawn to scale showing the legal description, site address, contractor, proposed building footprint and distances to property lines, streets, roads, alleys and easements, "completed, stamped, and signed by a ND Registered Land Surveyor," and it asks for the contractor's North Dakota contractor licence number. A permit is valid for one year. The form also states that all work "must be inspected by the Williams County Building Inspector before being put in use." Ask the City Auditor which of those items it waives on a re-roof rather than assuming a survey is needed for one.

No layer or recover rule of Ray's own exists, and the question falls back to the adopted code. WHAT WAS READ. Chapter 8 of the Ray Code of Ordinances, Buildings and Building Regulations, was read in full as codified through Ordinance No. 2-23.01 adopted 13 January 2026 - Article I, In General; Article II, Plumbing Code; Article III, Dangerous Buildings - and it contains no roof, roof-covering, shingle, recover or re-roofing provision of any kind, and no limit on the number of layers. Section 8-1(a) promises exceptions to the state code "affecting local conditions in the city" and then lists none. The North Dakota amendments to the 2024 International Residential Code, published in the 2026 North Dakota State Building Code Book, were also read in full - the numbered section amendments running from Section 104.8 to Section 2103.3 - and none of them reaches the roof-assemblies chapter either. SO THE BASE CODE GOVERNS, UNMODIFIED. The number of roof-covering layers a house in Ray may carry is whatever the 2024 International Residential Code itself provides in its roof-assemblies chapter, with no City and no state variation on top. That operative text sits behind the International Code Council paywall; this record does not restate it and does not rely on any third-party republication of it. What is recorded here is the sourced fact that no local or state amendment changes it. Take the layer rule from the 2024 International Residential Code itself, or from the Williams County building inspector, who administers the code in Ray, on 701-577-4567 - and get it before you bid an overlay, because a tear-off is a different price.

Ray publishes no roof sheathing or decking standard of its own, and that is established by reading the City's building chapter in full rather than by failing to find one. Chapter 8 of the Ray Code of Ordinances was read from Section 8-1 to Section 8-66 as codified through Ordinance No. 2-23.01 adopted 13 January 2026, and it contains no sheathing provision, no span table, no panel thickness minimum and no fastener schedule. Its structural content is confined to Article III, Dangerous Buildings, which is about condemnation rather than construction - Section 8-57 sets standards for repair, vacation or demolition and refers to structures whose strength is below what the building code requires for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location. Section 8-1(a) adopts the state building code and lists no excepted sections. The North Dakota amendments to the 2024 International Residential Code, read in full from Section 104.8 to Section 2103.3, contain no roof-assemblies amendment. SO THE DECK REQUIREMENT IS THE BASE CODE'S, UNMODIFIED - the 2024 International Residential Code as adopted by the state and taken by Ray on a floating basis. That operative text is behind the International Code Council paywall and is not restated here, and no third-party republication of it is relied on. WHAT THAT MEANS IN PRACTICE ON A TEAR-OFF. Where stripping the old covering exposes deteriorated sheathing, the sizing and fastening of the replacement is a matter for the code and for the inspector who enforces it, which in Ray is the Williams County building inspector under Section 8-1(a). Williams County's published inspection stages include a Framing inspection called "when structural components are complete but prior to concealing with insulation or finishes," so decking work that is caught by a permit will be looked at then.

8.00% on materials in Ray - North Dakota state sales and use tax of 5%, plus the City of Ray's 2% local sales, use and gross receipts tax, plus Williams County's 1% county tax. The North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner's Local Taxes by Location Guideline, rates effective 1 July 2026, gives Ray local code 232 and a current rate of 2%, built from 1.5% effective 1-1-13 and 0.5% effective 4-1-14, with no maximum tax (refund cap) and no permit holder compensation. The Ray row is shaded and marked "(Williams)," and the guideline explains both marks: "Shaded cities also have county tax obligations," and "The county sales, use, and gross receipts tax is in addition to state and city sales, use, and gross receipts tax." Williams County appears in the county table at local code 504 with a current rate of 1%. So a Ray address carries all three layers. WHO PAYS IT ON A ROOF. North Dakota treats a roofing contractor as the final consumer of the materials installed into real property: "A contractor or subcontractor entering into any contract, except for a labor only contract, is regarded as the final user or consumer of all tangible personal property installed into real property." So the contractor pays the tax on its material purchases and does not charge the homeowner sales tax on an install-plus-materials re-roof; selling materials without installing them is a taxable retail sale instead. ONE POINT THAT IS IN RAY'S FAVOUR AND IS NOT TRUE OF EVERY NEARBY JURISDICTION. Ray is one of the sixty local ordinances the guideline names as carrying the limited exemption for "materials that are purchased within the jurisdiction, but later installed outside of the jurisdiction where the sale took place." Where the contractor gives the supplier a certificate of exemption at the time of purchase and asks to be exempt from both state and local sales tax, the guideline provides that "the local use tax is due to the city or county where the goods are installed only if the goods are installed within a city or county that imposes a local use tax." Buying in Ray for a job elsewhere therefore does not strand the Ray local tax on the materials, which is what would happen in a jurisdiction without the limited exemption. Williams County is also on that list; the neighbouring cities of Tioga and Grenora are not.