What Horace Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Horace, North Dakota may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 27 tracked ordinances across 10 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Horace regulates open burning through local fire codes and ND DENR air quality permits. Agricultural burning is separately authorized but recreational and debris burning requires compliance with local rules..

Also covered: Fireworks (permissive), Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Horace for details.

Noise Ordinances

Construction Hours: Horace limits construction hours as one of North Dakota's fastest-growing small cities. Extensive new subdivision development on former agricultural land creates construction noise.

Also covered: Amplified Music & Events (permissive), Barking Dogs (moderate), Quiet Hours (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for Horace for details.

Landscaping Rules

Weed Ordinances: Horace requires property owners to control noxious weeds under both local ordinances and North Dakota state noxious weed law. NDCC §63-01.1 mandates control of designated noxious weed species..

Also covered: Water Restrictions (permissive), Grass Height Limits (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Horace for details.

Fence Regulations

Height Limits: Horace, ND limits fences in front and street side yards to 3 feet (no more than 25% opaque), interior side and rear-yard fences in residential districts to 6 feet, and commercial/industrial fences to 8 feet, under Title IV Land Use Code Section 4-5.3.B.2. In agricultural and SR-1/SR-2/SR-3 districts, open-style farm fencing in front yards may reach 4 feet.

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for Horace for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Horace restricts signage for home-based businesses to maintain residential neighborhood character. Most ordinances allow one small nameplate sign or prohibit external signage entirely..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (permissive). See the full home business guide for Horace for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: Horace has no short-term-rental-specific noise ordinance, but Title XII Chapter 12-08 (Noise Violations) applies to STR guests. Section 12-0802 prohibits any loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise that annoys or disturbs others; §12-0803(6) flags noise between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM as a key factor in determining a violation..

Also covered: Parking Rules (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Horace for details.

Accessory Structures

Shed Rules: Sheds are accessory structures under Horace Title IV §4-5.1, with cumulative footprint capped by lot acreage per Table 4-5.1.A.6 (5,500 sq ft on a 4.1-5 ac SR-1 lot). Title V adopts the NDSBC; IRC §R105.2 exempts one-story sheds 200 sq ft or less from a building permit..

Also covered: ADU Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Horace for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Horace Title V Chapter 5-04 (Flood Damage Prevention, Ord. 2015-1 as amended through Ord.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Horace Title V Ch. 5-01 adopts the North Dakota State Building Code (NDSBC), which incorporates the 2021 IRC Appendix G/AG105 swimming-pool barrier standards: barriers at least 48 inches above grade with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Animal Ordinances

Beekeeping: Horace allows beekeeping with registration through the ND Department of Agriculture. North Dakota is the top honey-producing state and beekeeping is broadly supported..

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (permissive), Breed Restrictions (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Horace for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Horace. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.