Bismarck Zoning Decisions: July 2026

In July 2026, Bismarck held 14 public meetings covering zoning matters. 35 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 31 approved (91% approval rate), 3 denied, 1 deferred. Activity was down 20% compared to June (1159 activity items across 18 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Outlook Road setback variance at 8620 Allen Road

Denied.

Variance to setback distance for accessory building placed 5 feet into the 15-foot setback (10-foot setback) on a 1.5-acre pie-shaped lot, Block 7 Lot 11 Country Hills Second Subdivision, zoned rural single-family. Applicant Kurt Ruzicka. Motion to approve failed; roll call denied (yes: Jarrett, Streiffel). Commissioners cited enforcing setback rules and available room to relocate.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Variance at 501 Nature View Drive

Approved.

Variance request for 501 Nature View Drive; Justin Kitson intends to build a 36x48 foot, 1,728 sq ft accessory building with increased lot coverage allowance. Lot is 1.492 acres. Existing accessory building of 1,384 sq ft; a 513 sq ft addition over allowance requested. Motion approved the 36x48 size. Unanimous roll-call approval.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Nature View Drive lot coverage variance at 501 Nature View Drive

Approved.

Variance to the 4% lot coverage rule for a 1,500-square-foot accessory building at 501 Nature View Drive, Block 2 Lot 9 Country Meadows addition, 1.4-acre rural residential lot. Existing accessory building is 1,228 sq ft; new building would be about 129 sq ft over the allowable. Applicant Justin Kitson. Approved unanimously with do-pass recommendation to County Commission; noted it would fit within proposed new ordinance.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Claudi subdivision and zoning change at 14138 Northeast 41st Street

Approved.

Proposed subdivision of Tract 10 of the Northeast Quarter Section 11, Township 140, Range 80 West (44-acre lot) into a two-lot subdivision: one 35-acre lot retaining ag zoning and one 8.41-acre lot rezoned from Ag to R1. Petitioners (Timothy Patrick and Valerie/Mallory Claudi) intend to build a nonprofit nature-based pre-K educational center for 15-30 children under a 99-year lease to Tall Grassland and Learning (Wonderfully Wild). Educational group is a permitted use in R1. Tabled last month for more information. Approved (Jarrett dissenting; Rich absent for vote but later recorded in favor) with do-pass recommendation. Faced opposition petition (~30 signatures) citing density, traffic, property values, child safety, and gun rights.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

FlexPACE letter of support for JH Commercial LLC (Horner Lawn Service)

Approved.

Letter of support for a FlexPACE buy-down for JH Commercial LLC, real estate holding company for Horner Lawn Service LLC (owned by Jordan Horner), to purchase an existing commercial building at 1701 Battalion Street. Employee count to double from ~5-8 to ~16. No city dollars used. Passed with Commissioners Risch and Connolly voting no.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Lookout Trail setback variance at 4731 Lookout Trail

Denied.

Variance request for a 15-foot setback where an accessory pole barn was built approximately 11.2 feet from the property line (about 3.5 feet into the setback) at 4731 Lookout Trail. Building was constructed before permit issuance under a stop-work order. Motion to deny based on no permit issued and encroachment into setbacks. Roll call: all yes to deny.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Island Park Estates 2nd Subdivision at 6169 Island Road

Approved.

Combination of two lots (Lots 12 and 3 of Block 6, Island Park Estates Subdivision), each approximately two acres, into a single lot of approximately four acres at 6169 Island Road, Riverview Township. No zoning change; remains R1 single family residential. Applicant/owner Layton Sampson. Approved unanimously with do-pass recommendation.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Proposed data center moratorium (under 50 megawatts)

Denied.

Proposed one-year moratorium on data centers less than 50 megawatts (under 49.9 MW) in Burleigh County; existing ordinance already covers 50 MW+ requiring industrial zoning. Discussion noted a state Senate bill allowing data centers down to one megawatt in residential/commercial zoning. Motion to deny the moratorium passed on a voice vote; Commission directed staff to instead pursue amendments to the existing data center ordinance and bring it as a separate item.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 35 recorded zoning decisions. See all Bismarck meetings →

Zoning Changes

• A → C-G, 6.99 acres at South side of East Main Avenue between 52nd Street Southeast and 66th Street Southeast (Stephanie Sheets and Dennis Berg)
• A → R-T at North Central Bismarck, south side of 43rd Street between Normandy and Coleman (DCN)
• RM30 → CX, 14.33 acres at South side of Burleigh Avenue between Rutland Drive and Boston Drive, South Bismarck (EWR Bismarck Paradise Valley, LLC)
• A → R-1, 8.41 acres at Clotty Subdivision, near 136th Avenue and 41st (Tim and Mallory Clotty)
• A → R at Northeast quarter of section 5, township 139 north, range 81 west, near 1806, north of Mandan ETA
• A → R, 29.94 acres at 28th Avenue off Lyons Road, southeast quarter of section 32, township 139 north, range 82 west
• A → R-1, 8.41 acres at 14138 Northeast 41st Street, Burleigh County (Timothy Patrick Claudi)
• CA → R-7 at Old School site, Eighth Addition, Mandan (School District)

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 197 instances
• subdivision: 95 instances
• residential: 78 instances
• commercial: 41 instances
• variance: 38 instances

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