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Hardy County health official warns of building-permit, septic and inspector shortages as 'off-grid' living rises
Summary
The health department reported a rise in unpermitted construction and septic-siting problems as off-grid living grows in rural Hardy County.
Bill Auerch, speaking for the health department, told commissioners the county is seeing more structures built without permits — barns and houses — and that the trend complicates septic permitting because “there's no place to put it” at some sites.
Auerch said state contractor licensing and inspection have been reduced and that the number of state inspectors has fallen “from 30 to 8” in about a year and a half, putting more enforcement pressure on counties. He said some residents build off-grid ‘shed’ dwellings and later install plumbing without permits, which can cause sewage problems.
Commissioners and staff discussed options including completing the county comprehensive plan, adopting a local building code, or contracting an inspector to perform enforcement work. Staff noted a planning commission-led comprehensive plan update is pending and public hearings are scheduled in coming weeks; the county could use that process to advance building-code and enforcement decisions.
Officials emphasized limits on county authority over private road names and private property decisions but said clearer 9‑1‑1 signage and mapping could improve emergency responses in areas with nonstandard addresses.
