Bismarck Zoning Decisions: March 2026

In March 2026, Bismarck held 14 public meetings covering zoning matters. 20 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 19 approved (95% approval rate), 1 denied. Activity was up 15% compared to February (584 activity items across 14 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Variance Appeal at 602 Maher Drive

Denied.

Upheld Board of Adjustment denial of variance request from Henry and Lisa Gerving to increase accessory building area from 1,200 to 1,320 square feet to cover a private well with filtration system. Commission could not identify qualifying hardship under zoning code requirements.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Telecommunications Tower Special Use Permit - Towers LLC

Approved.

Special use permit approved for Towers LLC and landowner Kathleen Flecht to install a telecommunications tower with maximum height of 195 feet on approximately 139.46 acres in the northeast quarter of Section 36, Township 135 North, Range 82 West, Morton County. Location is where Highway 21 and Highway 6 intersect. Tower footprint is 100 by 100 square feet. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

All American Subdivision Final Plat

Approved.

Approved final plat for Nathan Jensen's 5-acre subdivision at 8203 Apple Creek Road in Section 9, Township 139, Range 79W. Agricultural zoning with Apple Creek Township jurisdiction. Stormwater management waiver previously approved February 16.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Holly's Horses Edition Lot Combination

Approved.

Approved lot combination of Lots 1, 2 and part of 3, Block 1 of Sibley Island Estates at 1712 Estate Avenue for Bruce and Holly Gallagher. Creates one 4-acre lot. Zoned R1 rural single family residential. Engineering by Independent Land Surveying.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Ainsley Special Use Permit for Oversized Accessory Building

Approved.

Approved special use permit for Rob and Lisa Ainsley to construct a 3,000 sq ft accessory building (60x50 ft) at 11515 Edgewood Drive on a 1.05-acre lot. Normal allowance would be 1,800 sq ft. Building will replace existing structure. Property is in floodplain but approximately 5 feet above BFE. Received 80% neighbor approval.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Coomer Ranch Final Subdivision

Approved.

Commission approved Coomer Ranch final subdivision - a single lot five acre subdivision taken from a 40 acre parcel in Apple Creek Township at 8305 Pleasant View Road for residential use. Stormwater management waiver approved February 16, paving waiver approved January 26. Planning Commission recommended approval.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Apple Creek Ridge 2nd Subdivision Lot Combination

Approved.

Approved lot combination of Lots 11 and 12, Block 1 of Riverside 2nd Subdivision at 11517 Creektop Rd for Russell and Jennifer Heaton. Creates one 3-acre lot from two existing lots. Zoned R1 rural single family residential.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Riverside 4th Subdivision Lot Combination

Approved.

Approved lot combination of Lots 11 and 12, Block 1 of Riverside 2nd Subdivision at 9448 Island Road for Dustin and Ashley Masset. Creates one 2-acre lot. Zoned R1 rural single family residential. Engineering by Independent Land Surveying.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 20 recorded zoning decisions. See all Bismarck meetings →

Zoning Changes

• A Agricultural → RR Residential, 9.97 acres at East of 52nd Street Southeast on the south side of 48th Avenue Southeast (Cruz Subdivision) (Lito Cruz, Damaris Torres Villegas, Verna and Barbara Hoover)
• Moratorium on direct air capture facilities → Direct air capture facilities permitted under new zoning standards at Morton County-wide (Morton County Commission)
• Previous floodplain overlay district standards → Updated Section 3-010 floodplain overlay district per FEMA/SBA 2027 requirements at Morton County floodplain areas (Morton County Planning and Zoning)
• City of Bismarck ETA jurisdiction → Burleigh County independent zoning authority at Missouri Valley Complex, Burleigh County (Burleigh County/City of Bismarck joint agreement)
• Agricultural → Industrial, 11 acres at Section 28, Township 139, Range 78W near Menoken (Everly Park 5th Subdivision) (Everly Land Company)
• A (Agricultural) → RR (Residential), approximately 10 acres at West side of 41st Street Northeast, between 73rd Avenue Northeast and Arcata Drive (Heather Jones and Lauren Fisher)

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 117 instances
• subdivision: 110 instances
• plat: 66 instances
• industrial: 35 instances
• residential: 32 instances

What to Watch

• Subdivision mentions were up 80% from February.
• Industrial came up 150% more often than February.

Stay on Top of Bismarck Meetings

This is a look back. To get ahead of the next Bismarck meeting, ZoneWire emails you when one is posted, with the agenda attached.

Get free New Meeting Alerts for Bismarck. No card required.