How rezoning requests are decided across Bismarck, ND council meetings, the vote and the conditions on the record
Meetings
7
Mentions
26
Last Detected
Jun 24, 2026
Year
2026
Rezoning is one of the most actively tracked zoning topics in Bismarck, ND. ZoneWire has analyzed 7 council meetings and detected 26 instances of rezoning activity. Below are the most recent discussions.
What is Rezoning?
A formal change to the zoning classification of a parcel, allowing different land uses than previously permitted.
Rezoning (also called a "zone change") is the legislative process of changing the zoning designation assigned to a specific parcel of land. Every parcel in a municipality is assigned a zoning classification - such as R-1 (single-family residential), C-2 (general commercial), or I-1 (light industrial) - that dictates what can be built there.
A formal change to the zoning classification of a parcel, allowing different land uses than previously permitted. In Bismarck, ND, local government bodies regularly discuss rezoning as part of zoning and land use decisions.
ZoneWire has analyzed 7 meetings in Bismarck and detected 26 mentions of rezoning, an average of 3.7 mentions per meeting.
Recent Zoning Opportunities in Bismarck
These parcels came up for a zoning decision in Bismarck in the last 30 days, often before they hit the market. See what changed, how the vote went, and hear the moment it happened. According to ZoneWire's analysis of official public meeting records, each decision below links to its timestamped source.
Bismarck · Jun 23, 2026
Approved · Unanimous
13.6 acres rezoned A to R10
North Bismarck, east of North Washington Street between 43rd Avenue NE and East LaSalle Drive
13.6 ac · A to R10
Zoning change from A to R10 (13.6 acres), approved unanimously on Jun 23, 2026 in Bismarck.
Upzone
Your move: Higher-intensity use now allowed. Comp the parcel before the owner reprices.
A rezoning application is typically filed by a property owner or developer with the local planning department. The process usually involves:
Rezoning Regulations in North Dakota
North Dakota sets the regulatory framework that governs how rezoning decisions are made at the county and municipal level. State statutes define zoning authority, hearing requirements, and appeal processes that directly affect rezoning outcomes in Bismarck.
Rezoning (also called a "zone change") is the legislative process of changing the zoning designation assigned to a specific parcel of land. Every parcel in a municipality is assigned a zoning classification - such as R-1 (single-family residential), C-2 (general commercial), or I-1 (light industrial) - that dictates what can be built there. ZoneWire tracks rezoning activity across Bismarck, ND public meetings.
ZoneWire monitors Bismarck, ND planning and council meetings, transcribes them, and flags rezoning activity. As of the latest update we have analyzed 7 meetings and detected 26 rezoning mentions.
Tracking rezoning in Bismarck surfaces zoning and development signals early, so developers, investors, and brokers can evaluate parcels and approvals before they reach the broader market.
Zoning in the City of Bismarck is administered by the Community Development Department's Planning Division. The Planning and Zoning Commission is an 11-member advisory board that makes recommendations on the comprehensive plan, zoning, subdivision, annexation, and other development requests within the city and its extraterritorial area (ETA). The City Commission holds the final decision authority. For a copy of the zoning ordinance or questions, the Planning Division can be reached at 701-355-1840 or planning@bismarcknd.gov.
A zoning map amendment is a legal change to Bismarck's zoning map and can be initiated by a property owner or by the City. The process involves submitting a Unified Development Application with the required fee, staff review against the comprehensive plan and ordinances, a development review meeting, and public notification (legal ads in the Bismarck Tribune plus letters to nearby property owners). The Planning and Zoning Commission holds the first public hearing and makes a recommendation, and the City Commission holds the final public hearing and makes the ultimate decision.
The Bismarck Planning and Zoning Commission typically meets at 5:00 pm on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Tom Baker Meeting Room at the City County Office Building, 221 N. 5th St., Bismarck, ND. The Commission hears requests for major and minor subdivision plats, zoning changes, zoning ordinance text amendments, annexations, special use permits, and rural lot splits. Applicants should confirm the specific date on the Commission's posted meeting schedule.
Land-use and development decisions in Bismarck are guided by Together 2045, Bismarck's Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted by the City Commission on December 22, 2022, and is amended periodically. The plan sets goals and objectives related to land use and development and functions as the legal basis for the city's zoning and subdivision ordinance and all development decisions.
Yes. ZoneWire Free sends New Meeting Alerts for Bismarck at no cost, with the agenda for each meeting. ZoneWire Pro adds full transcripts, zoning and development analysis, and keyword alerts for $129 per market per month.
In Bismarck, 93% of land-use board decisions were approved over the last 24 months. Subdivision / plat clear 95%, Commercial / office / retail 100%. ZoneWire analyzed 162 land-use board decisions in Bismarck over the last 24 months. Here are the most active project types and how often each one clears.
Project type
Decisions
Approval rate
Subdivision / plat
75
95%
Commercial / office / retail
22
100%
Land use / comp-plan amendment
12
92%
Industrial / warehouse
10
100%
Variance
12
67%
Special exception / conditional use
10
100%
Multifamily / attached housing
6
83%
5 decisions that went against the odds
These are the denials and deferrals in categories that usually sail through, the deals worth understanding before you commit capital.