Any contiguous territory in this state, not exceeding four square miles [1036.00 hectares] in area, not already included within the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality, may become incorporated as a city whether such territory is located in one or more counties, under the following conditions:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 40-02-01

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute means the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • population: means the number of inhabitants as determined by the last preceding state or federal census. See North Dakota Code 1-01-47
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49

1. If the territory has residing therein a population of not more than five hundred inhabitants, it may become incorporated as a city under the council or modern council form of government. If the territory has residing therein a population of not less than five hundred inhabitants, it may become incorporated as a city under the council or modern council form of government, or as a city under the commission system of government.

2. If the proposed municipal corporation has, in the view of the board of county commissioners of the county in which the proposed municipal corporation is located, all the qualities necessary to ensure continued viability as a functioning unit of municipal government.