Environmental Rules in North Dakota (2026)
12 rules on the books across North Dakota, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Stormwater Management
Requirements for managing rainwater runoff on your property, including retention basins, permeable surfaces, and drainage plans.
Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo requires a city-approved stormwater management plan and erosion control permit before platting or any…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Grand Forks, anyone seeking subdivision or plat approval, a building permit, or permission for any…
Read full rule →Erosion Control
Rules to prevent soil erosion during construction and landscaping, including required sediment barriers and ground cover standards.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsNorth Dakota erosion control runs through soil conservation districts under N.D.C.C. chapter 4.1-20. Districts can…
Read full rule →Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo requires an erosion and sediment control permit from the city engineer before any grading, excavating, or…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks makes it unlawful to start any land-disturbing activity that could raise stormwater volumes, degrade water…
Read full rule →Flood Zones
Building requirements for properties in FEMA flood zones, including elevation standards, flood insurance mandates, and construction limits.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsNorth Dakota requires floodplain communities to adopt floodplain management ordinances meeting NFIP minimums under NDCC…
Read full rule →Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo requires a development permit before any construction, fill, or land alteration begins within a mapped special…
Read full rule →Cass County
Some RestrictionsCass County requires full compliance with its floodplain ordinance before any structure or land in a mapped special…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks regulates floodplain development through Article 6 of Chapter XIX, adopting "the floodproofing code of the…
Read full rule →Flood Elevation Requirements
FEMA NFIP minimum base flood elevation (BFE) construction standards for properties in mapped flood zones, including freeboard requirements above BFE.
Grand Forks
Significant RestrictionsGrand Forks requires new and substantially improved buildings in its F-1 floodway and F-2 floodplain districts to sit…
Read full rule →Cass County
Some RestrictionsNew construction and substantial improvements to residential buildings in Cass County's mapped flood hazard areas must…
Read full rule →Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo requires manufactured homes in special flood hazard zones to sit one foot above base flood elevation, with all…
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