Before You Build in Horace, ND: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Horace follows North Dakota boundary fence law under NDCC §47-26 which establishes shared responsibilities for partition fences between neighboring properties.

Horace, ND limits fences in front and street side yards to 3 feet (no more than 25% opaque), interior side and rear-yard fences in residential districts to 6 feet, and commercial/industrial fences to 8 feet, under Title IV Land Use Code Section 4-5.3.B.2. In agricultural and SR-1/SR-2/SR-3 districts, open-style farm fencing in front yards may reach 4 feet. Privacy fences up to 6 feet are allowed on corner-lot street side yards if set back at least 6 inches from the public sidewalk and a 15-foot clear-vision triangle is maintained at the driveway. Fence permits are issued by the Building Permits and Inspections Department; temporary construction and snow fences are exempt.

Horace Title V Ch. 5-01 adopts the North Dakota State Building Code (NDSBC), which incorporates the 2021 IRC Appendix G/AG105 swimming-pool barrier standards: barriers at least 48 inches above grade with self-closing, self-latching gates. Horace has no separate local pool ordinance.

Horace may permit accessory dwelling units under local zoning ordinances. ADU adoption varies in North Dakota with larger cities more likely to have established ADU provisions than rural communities.

Sheds are accessory structures under Horace Title IV §4-5.1, with cumulative footprint capped by lot acreage per Table 4-5.1.A.6 (5,500 sq ft on a 4.1-5 ac SR-1 lot). Title V adopts the NDSBC; IRC §R105.2 exempts one-story sheds 200 sq ft or less from a building permit.

Horace regulates open burning through local fire codes and ND DENR air quality permits. Agricultural burning is separately authorized but recreational and debris burning requires compliance with local rules.

Horace allows recreational fire pits under local fire code with setback and size restrictions. Prairie fire risk and drought conditions may trigger temporary burn bans through the local fire department.

Horace may implement seasonal watering restrictions during drought conditions. North Dakota's water resources are generally adequate but western oil-country areas may face supply pressure.