Bismarck, North Dakota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Bismarck, ND?

YES – Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Bismarck, North Dakota. The City of Bismarck's official FAQ states: "Yes, any housing unit may be rented on a short-term basis, just as they may be on a longer-term basis." The city is currently monitoring this business sector and may institute specific regulations if the need arises in the future.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Bismarck?

Bismarck hosts earn a median $25,346/year with $120 ADR and 76% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $37,765+ per year.

See the full Bismarck market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Bismarck

Step 1: Verify Zoning Compliance

Before proceeding with any STR operation, investors must confirm their property's zoning allows for short-term rental use:

Check the zoning map using Bismarck's online interactive map tool
Review zoning provisions in the city's zoning ordinance
Contact the Planning Division if your property has special conditions (conditional districts or planned unit developments)
Consider the Extraterritorial Area (ETA) – properties within this boundary fall under city jurisdiction

Step 2: Understand Your Legal Framework

State Definition: North Dakota defines short-term rentals as reservations for fewer than 30 consecutive days
Tax Implications: All STR operations are subject to both state and local tax obligations
Compliance Requirements: You must register with tax authorities and collect/remit applicable taxes

Step 3: Develop a Business Plan

Research market demand and competition in Bismarck
Determine optimal pricing strategies
Plan for property management (self-managed vs. professional)
Budget for initial setup costs and ongoing operational expenses

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-Level Requirements (North Dakota)

Tax Registration and Compliance:

Sales Tax Permit from the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner
Registration for lodging taxes (mandatory for rentals under 30 days)
Federal EIN for business tax purposes
State income tax registration for annual reporting

Documentation Required:

Business registration forms
Sales tax permit application
Quarterly and annual tax filing capabilities
Record-keeping systems for all transactions

Local Requirements (Bismarck)

Current City Stance:

No specific STR permits or licenses currently required by the city
No city-specific registration mandated at this time
Monitoring phase – city is studying the industry

General Development Requirements That May Apply:

Building permits for renovations or structural changes
Site plan review for significant alterations
Zoning verification letter (recommended for financing)
Home occupation permits if applicable to your setup

Recommended Best Practices

Professional Documentation:

Zoning verification letter from the Planning Division
Property insurance suitable for STR operations
Professional photography and listing creation
Guest screening and booking procedures
Safety and emergency protocols

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

Bismarck City Regulations

Current Status (2024-2025):

Permissive approach – no specific restrictions on STR operations
Neighbor consideration requirement – must be respectful of neighbors
No occupancy limits specified for STR properties
No distance requirements between STR properties
No owner-occupancy requirements

Future Regulatory Possibility:

The Community Development Department is actively studying short-term rental operations
Potential future regulations may be introduced based on monitoring findings
Investors should stay informed about potential regulatory changes

Burleigh County (Outside City Limits)

Jurisdictional Notes:

Properties outside city limits but within the Extraterritorial Area (ETA) fall under Bismarck's jurisdiction
Properties outside the ETA require contact with Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning
County regulations may differ from city requirements

North Dakota State Regulations

Tax Framework:

Lodging taxes apply to all STR stays under 30 days
Sales tax obligations for rental properties
Income tax reporting for STR revenue
Registration requirements with state tax authorities

Legal Definition:

Short-term rental: Any accommodation for fewer than 30 consecutive days
Hosts responsible for tax collection, filing, and remittance
Platforms may assist with state tax collection but not local taxes

Compliance Obligations:

Quarterly tax filing requirements
Annual income tax reporting
Record-keeping for all transactions
Potential penalties for non-compliance

Contact Information for Local Authority

Bismarck Planning Division

Phone: 701-355-1840
Email: planning@bismarcknd.gov
Address: 221 N 5th Street, 2nd Floor, City-County Office Building, Bismarck, ND 58501
Website: bismarcknd.gov/2371/Zoning-and-Guidelines

Bismarck Building Inspections Division

Phone: 701-355-1465
Email: buildinginspections@bismarcknd.gov
Address: 221 N 5th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501

Burleigh County (For Properties Outside ETA)

Phone: 701-221-3727
Email: burleighcobuilding@nd.gov

North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner

Website: nd.gov/tax
Phone: Contact through state website for current numbers
Purpose: Sales tax permits and lodging tax registration

Important Source Links

Bismarck Government Resources

Main STR FAQ: www.bismarcknd.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=476
Zoning Map: bismarcknd.gov/2371/Zoning-and-Guidelines
Zoning Ordinance: www.bismarcknd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1962/Title-14---Zoning?bidId=
Land Development Process: bismarcknd.gov/2379/Land-Development-Process
Fee Schedule: www.bismarcknd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/48637
Extraterritorial Area Map: bismarck.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/filtergallery/index.html?appid=47b2edfbedc340e1a87572f44edb252d
Zoning Verification: www.bismarcknd.gov/2362/Zoning-Verification

State of North Dakota Resources

North Dakota State Tax Commissioner: nd.gov/tax
Comprehensive Plan: www.bismarcknd.gov/2363/Comprehensive-Plan

Regulatory Information

Steadily STR Guide: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-north-dakota
Attorney General Tenant Rights: attorneygeneral.nd.gov/consumer-resources/tenant-rights/

Investment Recommendations for Bismarck STR Market

Advantages

Current permissive regulatory environment with minimal restrictions
No immediate licensing or permit requirements
Growing tourism market in North Dakota's capital city
Lower competition compared to larger metropolitan areas

Risk Considerations

Regulatory uncertainty – city may introduce future restrictions
No specific legal framework currently in place
State tax compliance requirements must be strictly followed
Market development in early stages with limited data

Strategic Considerations

Establish good neighbor relationships to prevent future complaints
Monitor city council meetings for potential regulatory developments
Maintain detailed financial records for tax compliance
Consider professional property management for optimal guest experience
Invest in quality property improvements to maximize competitive advantage

The Bismarck market presents a unique opportunity for early STR investors to establish operations in a currently permissive environment, though careful attention to evolving regulations and professional compliance management will be essential for long-term success.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Bismarck

Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota, sits on the eastern bank of the Missouri River in central North Dakota, mostly within Burleigh County (with portions extending into adjacent Morton County across the river). With a metropolitan-area population of roughly 130,000 and a city population of approximately 80,000, it functions as the state's political, healthcare, and energy-services hub and carries the steady, civic-minded rhythm of a state capital. Bismarck is best known as the seat of North Dakota's government and as a convenient gateway to the western part of the state, including the rugged Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The nearest larger city is Fargo, which lies roughly 190 miles to the east along Interstate 94, a drive of about three hours.

A short drive from downtown leads to the North Dakota State Capitol, an Art Deco tower completed in 1934 and one of the tallest statehouse buildings in the country. Its observation deck offers wide views over the city and the Missouri River valley, and the surrounding grounds are anchored by the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, which traces the state's natural and human history from the age of dinosaurs to the present day. Both are free to visit and within minutes of central accommodations, making them an easy first stop for first-time visitors.

Just south of Bismarck, across the river near Mandan, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park preserves the reconstructed military post where George Armstrong Custer was headquartered before his march to the Little Bighorn. The park includes the Custer House, the On-A-Slant Indian Village reconstruction of Mandan earthlodges, and riverfront trails along the Missouri. It is roughly 15 minutes from downtown Bismarck, making it a popular day trip for travelers interested in both Plains Indian history and the military history of the American West.

Further afield, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in the Little Missouri Badlands of western North Dakota, is one of the state's signature destinations, known for its colorful buttes, prairie dog towns, and roaming bison. The South Unit entrance, near Medora, is about 130 miles west of Bismarck, a drive of roughly two hours, and pairs naturally with stops in Medora, a small Western-themed town at the park's edge that hosts a famous outdoor musical in summer. Closer to the capital, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, roughly an hour north, focuses on the Corps of Discovery's winter at Fort Mandan in 1804–1805 and the explorers' journey up the Missouri.

Bismarck's combination of a stable, year-round economy anchored in state government and healthcare, paired with easy access to the Badlands, the Missouri River corridor, and several nationally significant historic sites, gives it a varied draw for short-term-rental visitors. Government travel, regional conferences, hunting and fishing seasons, and road-trippers heading to or from Theodore Roosevelt National Park all contribute to demand, while the city's compact, walkable downtown makes it a comfortable base for travelers exploring central and western North Dakota.