North Dakota law
Municipal Laws in North Dakota.
North Dakota local government operates under the 1889 Constitution and the N.D. Cent. Code. Municipalities operate under one of several statutory forms (home rule charter, commission, or council). Counties operate under various statutory forms. The Open Meetings Law (N.D. Cent. Code Chapter 44-04) and Open Records Law provide transparency protections. Sovereign immunity is waived under the Tort Claims Act (N.D. Cent. Code Chapter 32-12.1) with damages caps ($250,000 per claimant / $1,000,000 per occurrence).
Last verified: 2026-04-17
State law
Key North Dakota Statutes
Governs powers and organization of North Dakota cities and towns. Home-rule charters permitted for cities 5,000+.
Requires public meetings to be open. Executive sessions permitted for specific purposes (attorney consultation, personnel, etc.).
Public records are presumed open. Agencies must provide records within reasonable time.
Limited waiver of sovereign immunity. Damages caps: $250,000 per claimant, $1,000,000 per occurrence.
State law
Official Sources
Not Legal Advice
This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in North Dakota.
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