Explore zoning districts, official map resources, and recent rezoning activity in Bismarck, ND. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.
Live records updated through October 5, 2026
Updated with meetings through October 5, 2026.
Zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction, from the adopted local code.
Residential (rural single-family)
Residential (rural single-family - 5 acres)
Residential (single-family)
Residential (manufactured home park)
Residential (two-family)
Residential (multifamily)
Residential (office - multifamily)
Health-Medical
Commercial (neighborhood)
Commercial (heavy commercial)
Industrial (light industrial)
Industrial (heavy industrial)
Public and institutional uses such as schools, parks, and government facilities
Agricultural
Planned Unit Development
Overlay district restricting development in mapped floodplain areas along the Missouri River and tributaries
Airport Noise
Downtown Core
Downtown Fringe
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 · Sep 9, 2026
ApprovedWest half of the Southwest half of Section 36, Township 140 North, Range 80 West (Highlands at Burnt Creek)
Zoning change from A to R-1 (80 acres), approved on Sep 9, 2026 in Bismarck.
Your move: Higher-intensity use now allowed. Comp the parcel before the owner reprices.
Applicant
Unlock who filed this with ProBismarck · Sep 28, 2026
Approved · Unanimous5406 Highland Place North, Mandan ETZ
Zoning change from A to R7 (6.96 acres), approved unanimously on Sep 28, 2026 in Bismarck.
Your move: Higher-intensity use now allowed. Comp the parcel before the owner reprices.
Bismarck · Sep 23, 2026
Continued · UnanimousLots 1-10, Block 1, South Meadows Addition 3rd Replat, SW quadrant of South Washington Street and Meridian Drive
Zoning change from RS to RM (2.96 acres), continued unanimously on Sep 23, 2026 in Bismarck.
Your move: Still pending. Track the next hearing before it's decided.
Applicant
Unlock who filed this with ProBismarck · Sep 22, 2026
Approved · UnanimousBetween Interstate 94 and Trenton Drive, Centennial Park 4th Addition, northeast Bismarck
Zoning change from CX to CG, approved unanimously on Sep 22, 2026 in Bismarck.
Your move: Higher-intensity use now allowed. Comp the parcel before the owner reprices.
Applicant
Unlock who filed this with ProBismarck · Sep 21, 2026
Approved · UnanimousChad Dockers subdivision in Apple Creek Township, approved unanimously on Sep 21, 2026 in Bismarck.
Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.
Bismarck · Sep 21, 2026
Approved · UnanimousRidge at Hawk Tree subdivision, approved unanimously on Sep 21, 2026 in Bismarck.
Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.
In Bismarck, 93% of land-use board decisions were approved over the last 24 months. Subdivision / plat clear 94%, Commercial / office / retail 97%. ZoneWire analyzed 262 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 | 116 | 94% |
| Commercial / office / retail | 30 | 97% |
| Land use / comp-plan amendment | 26 | 96% |
| Variance | 22 | 73% |
| Industrial / warehouse | 17 | 100% |
| Special exception / conditional use | 14 | 100% |
| Multifamily / attached housing | 12 | 83% |
| Data center | 10 | 90% |
| Single-family homes | 6 | 100% |
| Mixed-use | 5 | 100% |
These are the denials and deferrals in categories that usually sail through, the deals worth understanding before you commit capital.
Get free county alertsThe official Bismarck zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. You can access the interactive GIS map at https://bismarck.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/filtergallery/index.html?appid=47b2edfbedc340e1a87572f44edb252d. ZoneWire also tracks rezoning activity discussed in council meetings.
Zoning districts in Bismarck include RR (Residential District), RR5 (Residential District), R5 (Residential District), RMH (Mobile Home Residential District), R10 (Residential District), RM (Residential District), RT (Residential District), HM (Medical Facility District). Each district has specific permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements set by the local code.
ZoneWire reads every council meeting in Bismarck to detect rezoning discussions, variances, and zoning amendments. Start a free trial to receive alerts when rezoning activity is detected.
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.
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Our Bismarck record holds 52 land-use decisions heard in the last 60 days, with the vote where one was recorded.
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