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Consolidated Draft LDC: Planning Commission Review Version

March 20, 2026

The full draft of the updated land development code is now available for public review. It contains the following content:

  • Chapter 14-01 General Provisions
  • Chapter 14-02 General Zoning Standards
  • Chapter 14-03 Residential Zoning Districts
  • Chapter 14-04 Mixed or Non-Residential Zoning Districts
  • Chapter 14-05 Downtown Zoning District
  • Chapter 14-06 Agricultural Zoning District
  • Chapter 14-07 Special Purpose Zoning Districts
  • Chapter 14-08 Overlay Zoning Districts
  • Chapter 14-09 Allowed Land Uses
  • Chapter 14-10 Use Definitions and Use-Specific Standards
  • Chapter 14-11 Improvements
  • Chapter 14-12 Site and Structure Design
  • Chapter 14-13 Parking and Loading
  • Chapter 14-14 Mobility and Connectivity
  • Chapter 14-15 Landscaping and Screening
  • Chapter 14-16 Parks and Open Space
  • Chapter 14-17 Outdoor Lighting
  • Chapter 14-18 Signs
  • Chapter 14-19 Subdivision of Land
  • Chapter 14-20 Administration and Procedures
  • Chapter 14-21 Nonconformities
  • Chapter 14-22 Enforcement
  • Chapter 14-23 Measurements and Definitions

Upcoming Events

Community members are invited to review the draft and provide comment on this website. Additionally, Planning staff will be available for questions and discussion on Wednesday, April 15 from 3-6 pm at the Bismarck Public Library at 515 North Fifth Street. This is the next opportunity for discussion of the draft LDC, but there will be others. 
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DavePVL Apr 3 2026 at 11:41AM on page 250

Suggestion
THANKS FOR THIS SECTION TO ENSURE PROTOCOL AND CASE BY CASE REVIEW IN THE FUTURE. MORE POSSIBLE SCENARIOS TO CONSIDER: SHALLOW OR PROXIMITY TO PUBLIC OR PRIVATE UTILITIES. NEIGHBORS WILLING TO SHARE COSTS OF FENCING, LANDSCAPE BUFFERS, ECT TO BE CONSIDERED.

DavePVL Mar 27 2026 at 3:26PM on page 250

Suggestion
CONSIDER CASE BY CASE BASIS HERE...TO REQUIRE BOTH A FENCE AND A BUFFER YARD WILL CONTINUE TO TEST BUDGETS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING REDUCED PLANT SIZES AND THANK YOU FOR ELIMINATING SHRUBS IN BUFFERS FOR EASE OF MAINTENANCE AND MOWABILITY.

DavePVL Mar 27 2026 at 3:23PM on page 250

Question
CAN FENCING CONTINUE TO BE STANDARD VINYL AS MENTIONED IN THIS NEW CODE IN SECTION 14-03b? OR DOES ALL FENCING NEED TO BE REAL WOOD OR MASONRY OR APPEAR TO TO BE WOOD OR MASONRY. VINYL FENCING THAT LOOKS LIKE WOOD OR MASONRY WILL BE ASTRONOMICALLY EXPENSIVE IF REQUIRED AN ENTIRE LENGTH OF A PROPERTY LINE. ALSO, IF REQUIRED BUFFER PLANTS ARE IN FRONT OF A FENCE, SUCH EXPENSIVE FENCING WON'T BE VISIBLE WHEN PLANTS REACH MATURITY.

DavePVL Mar 27 2026 at 3:01PM on page 245

Suggestion
AGAIN THERE IS NO MENTION OF ENCOURAGED IRRIGATION ACCESS SO GENERAL CONTRACTORS ARE HAVING TO BORE FROM ISLAND TO ISLAND TO MAKE WAY FOR IRRIGATION TO KEEP REQUIRED PLANTS ALIVE IN A HOT PARKING LOT OR SALT CONTAMINATED DIRT FROM SNOW REMOVAL.

DavePVL Mar 27 2026 at 2:58PM on page 244

Suggestion
INCREASE BEAUTIFICATION NOTORIETY FOR BUSINESSES / NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS MAINTAINING HIGH AESTHETIC AND ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS. AWARDS, WEBSITE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, LOCAL NEWS AWARDS. THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT BUILDERS & NEIGHBORHOODS TRYING TO DO THINGS BETTER WHILE SOME BUSINESSES ARE LETTING THEIR LANDSCAPES AND BUILDINGS BE NEGLECTED.

DavePVL Mar 27 2026 at 2:55PM on page 244

Suggestion
THERE IS NO ENCOURAGEMENT OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS OR WATERING REQUIREMENTS TO HELP ESTABLISH THE REQUIRED PLANT MATERIAL AND KEEP IT HEALTHY. NEW CONSTRUCTION SITES WITHOUT IRRIGATION MENTIONED IN ANY CITY ORDINANCE MEANS FIRMS DO NOT HAVE TO INCLUDE IT IN INITIAL BUDGETS. THEREFORE, GENERAL CONTRACTORS ARE LEFT PLANNING FOR IT AS AN AFTERTHOUGH FOR IRRIGATION ACCESS & KEEP REQUIRED PLANTS HEALTHY DURING THE ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD. ALSO, TURF AREAS STRUGGLE WITHOUT IRRIGATION AND INVASIVE WEED SPORES SPREAD. I SUGGEST CONSIDERING REDUCING REQUIRED PLANT AMOUNTS OR INCENTIVES IF IRRIGATION IS PLANNED.

DavePVL Mar 27 2026 at 2:39PM on page 244

Suggestion
"SHRUBS" ARE MORE EXPENSIVE AND LOTS OF MAINTENANCE AND TAKE MORE WATER THAN MANY PERENNIALS. DIVERSIFYING THE LANDSCAPE WITH PERENNIALS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED. MANY PERENNIALS GET 3' + HIGH AND REQUIRE LESS MAINTENANCE.

DavePVL Mar 27 2026 at 2:37PM on page 244

Suggestion
"DECIDUOUS HEDGE" - MAYBE CLARIFY THAT ORNAMENTAL GRASSES AND/OR PERENNIALS MAY BE PERMITTED WITH APPROVAL FROM FORESTRY GIVEN CERTAIN SITE CONTRAINTS AND CONDITIONS. I REALLY ENJOY WORKING WITH CITY ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS BUT THERE IS NO VERBAGE TO ENSURE OR FOSTER STANDARD PROTOCOL IN THE FUTURE.

DavePVL Mar 27 2026 at 2:31PM on page 244

Suggestion
WHY WAS EARTHEN BERM OPTION REMOVED? I SUGGEST TO BRING IT BACK SINCE MANY DEVELOPMENTS HAVE EXCESS DIRT AND BERMS ENHANCE THE LANDSCAPE
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