It is hereby declared that the policies and procedures contained in this chapter are necessary and desirable for the orderly growth of urban communities in the state of North Dakota. It is the purpose of this chapter:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 40-51.2-02

  • 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.
  • 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.    To encourage natural and well-ordered development of municipalities of the state; 2.    To extend municipal government to areas which form a part of the whole community; 3.    To simplify government structure in urban areas; and

4.    To recognize the inter-relationship and interdependence between a municipal corporation and areas contiguous or adjacent thereto, and to these ends this chapter shall be liberally construed. For the purposes of this chapter, contiguity will not be affected by the existence of a platted street or alley, a public or private right of way, or a public or private transportation right of way or area, or a lake, reservoir, stream, or other natural or artificial waterway between the annexing municipality and the land to be annexed.