N.D.C.C. §§ 14-02.5-01 through 14-02.5-46 § 14-02.5-27
Land use law.
Operative Text
14-02.5-27. Land use law.
If the department determines that the matter involves the legality of a state or local zoning
or other land use law or ordinance, the department may not issue a charge and shall
immediately refer the matter to the attorney general for appropriate action.Under North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 14-02.5-27 establishes a specific procedural rule for fair-housing complaints that touch on zoning or land use laws. When the state Department of Labor and Human Rights determines that a complaint raises questions about the legality of a state or local zoning or land use ordinance, the department is prohibited from issuing a charge on its own. Instead, the matter must be immediately forwarded to the North Dakota Attorney General for whatever action is deemed appropriate.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under zoning or land use frameworks should be aware that N.D.C.C. § 14-02.5-27 can redirect certain fair-housing complaints away from the Department of Labor and Human Rights and toward the Attorney General's office. Compliant operators generally maintain clear records of how their land use decisions align with applicable zoning ordinances, since those decisions may be scrutinized at a different level of government if a complaint is filed. Understanding this procedural pathway helps operators anticipate how a complaint involving zoning questions might be handled differently than a standard fair-housing charge.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who believe they have experienced housing discrimination connected to a zoning or land use decision should know that N.D.C.C. § 14-02.5-27 changes the normal complaint process in those situations. Rather than the Department of Labor and Human Rights issuing a charge, the matter is referred directly to the North Dakota Attorney General, which means the enforcement path differs from a typical fair-housing complaint. Tenants in this situation may benefit from contacting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how this referral process could affect their options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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