Planning & Zoning Process
Starting the Planning & Zoning Process
Pre-Applications are required prior to formal review of applications for conditional use permits, temporary use permits, comprehensive plan amendments/zone changes, variances, minor subdivisions/major subdivisions and/or lot split reviews.
The purpose of the Pre-Application process is to help the Planning and Zoning Division understand the existing land uses, timeline and scale of the project, and to provide the applicant information as to how the project does or does not comply with this ordinance/comprehensive plan and how the project may be altered to bring it into compliance; it is not to gain pre-approval of any project.
To start the Planning & Zoning Process, please complete a Pre-Application using the link below.
For general guidance related to land development in Williams County, refer to the Development Guide. For specific ordinances and regulations, refer to our Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.
Land Use
Processes used to regulate Land Use include:
fees updated August 2, 2022
Process |
Description |
Fee |
| Conditional Use Permit (CUP) | The CUP process requires public review of developments that may have significant impacts on public facilities or neighboring land uses, but that could be made compatible if measures are taken to minimize those impacts. A CUP application may be submitted along with other land use applications so that review may take place concurrently. A public hearing in front of the Williams County Planning & Zoning Commission is required. | $200
CUP renewal: $100 Temporary Housing: $800 per bed, per year |
| Temporary Use Permit (TUP) | A request is considered when a TUP benefits the public and occasional large public gatherings, special occasions or specific events where public or private gatherings are necessary for a period not to exceed two consecutive weeks. Activities sponsored by churches, schools and political subdivisions of Williams County are exempt from TUP review. A public hearing in front of the Williams County Planning & Zoning Commission is required. | $35/day |
| Zone Change | A request to amend, supplement, repeal, or revise the Zoning District Map with regards to a piece of property. A public hearing in front of the Williams County Planning & Zoning Commission is required. | $200 |
| Comprehensive Plan Amendment | A request to amend the Williams County Comprehensive Plan. A public hearing in front of the Williams County Planning & Zoning Commission is required. | $200 |
| Variance | A request to ease one or more provisions in the current Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations because literal enforcement would cause unnecessary or undue hardship. A public hearing in front of the Planning & Zoning Commission is required. | $200 |
| Administrative Variance | A request to reduce specific design and development standards from the current Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations. This type of variance can be granted by the Director of Development Services and/or the Planning Official and does not require a public hearing. | $100 |
*Note: Land Use Applications must be submitted to Planning and Zoning approximately six weeks prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in which it will be reviewed. A schedule of dates can be found here.
Subdivisions
Processes used to regulate Subdivisions include:
fees updated August 2, 2022
Process |
Description |
Fee |
| Minor Subdivisions | The division of a tract or parcel of land into five or less lots for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale of lease for development. If it has been less than one year since the lots involved were subdivided, then the fee changes. | $500 |
| Major Subdivisions | The division of a tract or parcel of land into six of more lots for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or lease for development. | $500 for the Preliminary Plat for first 5 lots ($50 for each additional lot) and then an additional $500 for the Final Plat |
| Re-Subdivisions | The division of a previously platted land into five or less lots for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale of lease for development. If it has been less than one year since the lots involved were subdivided, then the fee changes. | $500 if more than one year since recordation; $2,000 per lot up to 5 lots, then $50 for each additional lot if less than one year since recordation |
| Subdivision Exemptions | Boundary line adjustments, reversionary maps, family farm exemptions, agriculture exemptions, court/arbitrator ordered divisions and any divisions exempt from subdivision review by North Dakota law may be executed so long as they meet and follow requirements listed in the Williams County Subdivision Regulations. | No fee |