Development Readiness

Urban development is initiated by a property owner through several stages, often implemented over the course of many years. Anyone interested in developing their land should first become familiar with which stage of development the land is currently within. The process below explains these stages of development readiness in greater detail, and a map below will indicate where each of these areas apply in the Bismarck area.

Rural Lands Stage

Bismarck has jurisdiction over an Extraterritorial Area (ETA) for the purpose of managing future growth of the city. Land with in the Urban Service Area Boundary is expected to urbanize within approximately 25 years. Outside of this area, land is either slated for permanent rural residential use or reserved for future urban development, either in the medium or long-term.

Inside of the urban service area boundary, Priority 2 Expansion Areas are most suitable for expansion of new infrastructure due to proximity or natural features. Priority 3 Expansion Areas of the urban service area boundary require additional investment to extend city services. These areas are set annually in the Growth Phasing Plan.

In some cases, interim rural development may occur in advance of urban development planned for a longer term. Standards and conditions apply to assure that this land will urbanize and further develop in the future.

Urban Planning Stage

There are three planning steps necessary to prepare land for urban development. There is no particular order they must be completed in, and they may be completed simultaneously with one process. These steps require approval from an elected board usually with a public hearing. The land must be Annexed into City Limits. Annexation allows the provision of municipal services and enfranchises property owners within. There must be a Subdivision Plat Completed.  An approved and recorded subdivision plat allows land to be divided into lots and blocks for sale, dedicates public rights-of-way and easements, and creates plans for stormwater and utility servicing.  

Finally, the land must be Zoned for Proposed Development. Undeveloped land is typically zoned Agricultural, and the zoning requires a formal change prior to initiation of development. A zoning map amendment is the most public-facing step, requiring at least two hearings to address potential impacts to surrounding properties and the whole community. Check the zoning map and search for your address.

Final Development Stage

Once land has been platted, annexed, and zoned, more detailed steps are taken to physically prepare the land for development. During this stage, the primary points of contact are in Engineering and Building Inspections, although staff collaborate in all stages.

An area must have Municipal Services Available. Public improvements for streets and utilities are made through improvement districts or by agreement. Contractors and Engineers may refer to guidance from Engineering Department for procedures and standards. 

Next is the Site Plan Completed stage, typically required for all development other than single-family residential. A site plan may be amended if changes are necessary. Finally, a building permit must be submitted and then Building Permit Issued prior to start of construction. A certificate of occupancy is granted upon successful final inspection. Then land is then considered Developed.

After Development

The City of Bismarck is dynamic and constantly evolving. The linear nature of these stages does not mean development is the end of the story. Developed land is often redeveloped, expanded, adaptively reused, or modified in some way. Depending on the nature of the change, a zoning map amendment or a "replat" may be required, or it may only require a new site plan and building permit. Even if no physical changes are made to the property requiring a building permit, a change of use permit may be required. 

Map of Areas by Development Readiness

Search for an address in upper-right