Starting, Growing or Relocating Your Business

Thank you for your interest in starting, growing, or relocating your business within our community. Your success matters to us and to help you in your efforts we have compiled a variety of information, which may aid you in the development and permitting processes with the City of Bismarck. 

Numerous processes, permits, and staff are responsible from the City of Bismarck for the establishment, expansion or relocation of businesses to ensure the healthy and safe operation to customers and employees. The information provided in this section is not intended to be exhaustive but offers guidance and consideration to commonly asked items in the siting, establishment or relocation of businesses. 

The Community Development Department would encourage a pre-construction meeting for construction projects which may be more complex and/or repurposing existing structures. Adaptively reusing existing structures, especially older structures, can pose challenges to new uses given building and fire code updates from the time of initial construction or last occupancy change. A good first step would be to reach out to Building Inspection’s staff as early as possible in the siting/construction preparation process. Some questions may be answered with a single telephone call while more complex projects and questions may best be suited for a meeting with staff from multiple impacted City departments. 

For development of raw unplatted/replatted land a Pre-application meeting is required. The meeting is generally held with you and/or your representatives and City and Burleigh County staff (as necessary) to discuss the proposal and identify potential issues early on in the process. To schedule a Pre-application meeting use this link. You will be asked to provide information and attachments to help staff understand your proposal in advance of the meeting.