Planning & Zoning Division FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

A calendar of Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings can be found on the Meetings Portal.

You can look up a Parcel ID Number (PIN) for any parcel in Williams County by using the Parcel Viewer Map or the iTax Property Tax system.

Your property’s zoning district is indicated on the County’s GIS Zoning & Conditional Use Permits map. A color-coded legend can be viewed under Zoning by expanding the layers list. Any parcel of land that does not have a specific zoning district will be designated as Agricultural. For more information, contact the Planning and Zoning Division.

The zoning of your property does not affect or impact property taxes. Zoning determines the allowable uses of the property, but zoning itself does not factor into the property value assessment that determines property taxes.

Zoning cannot be used to make a property owner stop using property as it was used before it was zoned.  In a case where property is zoned differently from the way it is used, the current use is allowed to continue, and it is called a nonconforming use. For example, a business that is in a residential zone would be permitted to continue operating as a nonconforming use. However, non-conforming uses are subject to limitations. For instance, if a nonconforming business is closed and left vacant for more than one year, it cannot be reopened. Or if that business wants to build an addition onto their building, they would have to update the zoning district prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy.

The Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations can be downloaded by clicking here. A physical copy is also available for the public to view at the Development Services office during regular business hours.

Zoning-related pre-applications are required prior to formal review of applications for conditional use permits, temporary use permits, zoning amendments/zone changes variances, plats, minor subdivisions/major subdivisions and/or lot split reviews. Complete the pre-application form online or email a completed pre-application form to planning@co.williams.nd.us. A member of our staff will contact you by phone or email to schedule a meeting.

Land Use applications need to be submitted approximately 6 weeks prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in which it will be reviewed. Below is a schedule for 2023. For details of agenda items, please contact the Williams County Planning & Zoning Division.

Application Deadline                              Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Board of County Commissioners Meeting
Thursday, December 1, 2022 Thursday, January 19, 2023 Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Thursday, January 5, 2023 Thursday, February 16, 2023 Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Thursday, February 2, 2023 Thursday, March 16, 2023 Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Thursday, March 2, 2023 Thursday, April 20, 2023 Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Thursday, April 6, 2023 Thursday, May 18, 2023 Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Thursday, May 4, 2023 Thursday, June 15, 2023 Thursday, June 29, 2023
Thursday, June 1, 2023 Thursday, July 20, 2023 Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Thursday, July 6, 2023 Thursday, August 17, 2023 Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Thursday, August 3, 2023 Thursday, September 21, 2023 Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Thursday, September 7, 2023 Thursday, October 19, 2023 Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Thursday, October 5, 2023 Thursday, November 16, 2023 Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Thursday, November 2, 2023 Thursday, December 21, 2023 Tuesday, January 2, 2024

 

Open records requests can be made by contacting the Department that would have the information. If you are requesting information from a board or commission, or unsure of which Department the request applies to, then please contact the Communications Department. For more information about open records requests, visit the North Dakota Attorney General’s website.

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