For decades, Grand Forks’ zoning rules have made it difficult for some property owners to sell, maintain, or improve their homes—especially in the city’s older, more affordable neighborhoods. Now, officials are considering an update to the nonconformity code, aiming for a more practical and less punitive approach. The proposed changes would clarify what owners can do with properties that don’t meet modern zoning rules, making repairs easier and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. If approved, the move could bring long-overdue relief to residents caught in outdated regulations.
Editors note: Why does this matter in Minot? Zoning laws create the same challenges wherever they exist; Minot is no exception. So whenever one place attempts to tackle a common problem, we should be looking at the solution they deliver in case it solves a problem we have, too. Also, we’ll be pointing out more of this in the coming days, but consider for a moment the degree to which each community takes on work directly related to zoning ‘code’. The sheer development of zoning laws is a monumental, expensive task that cities take on in both an ongoing review and major overhaul regularly. This is expensive and dumb. There’s a better way to do it.
