🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Bismarck, ND
Clear Rules, Calm Neighborhoods: Bismarck Puts STR Definitions in Writing
Bismarck Approves New Ordinance Defining Short-Term Rentals
Bismarck’s short-term rental scene just got a little more straightforward. The City Commission has officially approved an ordinance spelling out what exactly counts as a short-term rental — a long-overdue clarification that should help both hosts and neighbors stay on the same page.
The city’s Planning Director, Daniel Nairn, broke it down simply: if it’s rented for fewer than 30 days, it’s short-term. Anything longer is long-term. Easy enough, but the distinction matters because tax rules differ based on the rental type.
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What’s refreshing here is that Bismarck isn’t rolling out a wave of new restrictions. Instead, the city is focused on keeping neighborhoods livable and rentals responsibly managed. Short-term rentals must maintain: ✔️residential appearance, ✔️avoid noise issues, ✔️ensure adequate parking, and ✔️meet building code requirements — the same expectations any resident would follow.
For locals worried about a flood of new Airbnb traffic or rowdy weekenders, city officials assure that this is about clarity, not expansion. Nairn noted that there are no immediate plans to tighten regulations, but that the city remains open to feedback from residents if future adjustments are needed.
In other words, Bismarck is taking a “steady as we go” approach — defining the lines now so the community doesn’t have to guess later.
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