Homesteading in North Dakota
Explore 53 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in North Dakota.
North Dakota uses a Prior Appropriation water rights system , allows county-level building code enforcement , and has constitutional carry. The effective property tax rate is 0.94%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Prior Appropriation
Prior appropriation doctrine. Water permits required from the State Water Commission for all appropriations except small domestic and livestock use.
Statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 61-04-01 et seq.
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: No (county-level)
No mandatory statewide residential building code for areas outside municipalities. Cities may adopt codes. State energy code applies.
Statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 54-21.3-01 et seq.
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: Yes
Permitless concealed carry for residents 18 and older effective 2017. Open carry legal without a permit.
Statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-04-02; N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-02-10
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects agricultural operations from nuisance claims. North Dakota also has a constitutional amendment (Article XI, Section 29) guaranteeing the right of farmers to engage in modern farming practices.
Statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 42-04-01 et seq.; N.D. Const. Art. XI, § 29
Counties in North Dakota
53 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | 2,190 | $109,600 | $1,095 | 58 | Very Low |
| Barnes County | 10,826 | $157,800 | $1,628 | 55 | Relatively Low |
| Benson County | 5,960 | $79,300 | $810 | 50 | Very Low |
| Billings County | 839 | $237,500 | $1,133 | 54 | Very Low |
| Bottineau County | 6,411 | $188,500 | $1,313 | 48 | Very Low |
| Bowman County | 2,975 | $168,200 | $1,409 | 58 | Very Low |
| Burke County | 2,184 | $135,100 | $1,034 | 48 | Very Low |
| Burleigh County | 98,443 | $302,300 | $2,670 | 54 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cass County | 186,328 | $270,300 | $3,294 | 55 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cavalier County | 3,691 | $122,900 | $1,369 | 48 | Very Low |
| Dickey County | 5,003 | $164,700 | $1,518 | 58 | Very Low |
| Divide County | 2,195 | $162,900 | $1,076 | 48 | Very Low |
| Dunn County | 4,049 | $251,700 | $1,528 | 53 | Very Low |
| Eddy County | 2,345 | $108,400 | $982 | 52 | Very Low |
| Emmons County | 3,297 | $110,200 | $977 | 57 | Relatively Low |
| Foster County | 3,388 | $160,300 | $1,949 | 53 | Very Low |
| Golden Valley County | 1,734 | $142,500 | $1,157 | 55 | Very Low |
| Grand Forks County | 72,927 | $235,400 | $2,630 | 51 | Relatively Low |
| Grant County | 2,320 | $88,800 | $787 | 57 | Very Low |
| Griggs County | 2,309 | $119,500 | $1,169 | 53 | Very Low |
| Hettinger County | 2,477 | $111,100 | $1,217 | 56 | Very Low |
| Kidder County | 2,391 | $140,300 | $836 | 55 | Very Low |
| LaMoure County | 4,135 | $116,900 | $1,138 | 56 | Very Low |
| Logan County | 1,849 | $94,400 | $988 | 56 | Very Low |
| McHenry County | 5,326 | $136,600 | $906 | 50 | Very Low |
| McIntosh County | 2,529 | $83,300 | $753 | 58 | Very Low |
| McKenzie County | 14,081 | $330,200 | $1,392 | 52 | Very Low |
| McLean County | 9,781 | $222,100 | $1,675 | 52 | Relatively Low |
| Mercer County | 8,366 | $192,000 | $2,058 | 53 | Very Low |
| Morton County | 33,192 | $247,200 | $2,491 | 55 | Relatively Low |
| Mountrail County | 9,648 | $205,000 | $1,157 | 50 | Very Low |
| Nelson County | 3,025 | $107,400 | $856 | 51 | Very Low |
| Oliver County | 1,832 | $226,900 | $1,342 | 54 | Very Low |
| Pembina County | 6,853 | $112,700 | $1,148 | 48 | Very Low |
| Pierce County | 3,999 | $154,400 | $1,564 | 50 | Very Low |
| Ramsey County | 11,613 | $193,300 | $1,799 | 50 | Very Low |
| Ransom County | 5,663 | $145,900 | $1,667 | 56 | Very Low |
| Renville County | 2,282 | $165,500 | $1,074 | 48 | Very Low |
| Richland County | 16,548 | $164,500 | $1,888 | 57 | Very Low |
| Rolette County | 12,292 | $90,200 | $980 | 48 | Relatively Low |
| Sargent County | 3,828 | $134,900 | $1,535 | 58 | Very Low |
| Sheridan County | 1,338 | $108,500 | $848 | 52 | Very Low |
| Sioux County | 3,896 | $97,200 | $267 | 58 | Relatively Low |
| Slope County | 837 | $109,900 | $352 | 56 | Very Low |
| Stark County | 32,989 | $255,200 | $2,248 | 55 | Very Low |
| Steele County | 1,774 | $119,900 | $1,159 | 53 | Very Low |
| Stutsman County | 21,609 | $191,000 | $2,122 | 54 | Relatively Low |
| Towner County | 2,152 | $127,600 | $1,122 | 48 | Very Low |
| Traill County | 8,004 | $172,700 | $1,876 | 53 | Very Low |
| Walsh County | 10,553 | $111,700 | $1,245 | 49 | Very Low |
| Ward County | 69,532 | $249,800 | $2,666 | 50 | Relatively Low |
| Wells County | 3,990 | $104,200 | $1,137 | 52 | Very Low |
| Williams County | 39,076 | $255,000 | $1,771 | 50 | Relatively Low |
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