The Engineering Department monitors contracted construction projects and permits by private contractors in the City of Bismarck streets, rights of way, and public easements. These projects include:
Street resurfacing and reconstruction and new roadway paving projects
Installation and repair of public sidewalks, driveway aprons, curbs, and gutter
Installation and repair of water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer facilities
Installation of roadway lighting and traffic signals
Learn more about the different types of new construction or rehabilitation projects that may be going on in your area.
Guidance & Information
The Engineering Department also provides guidance and information relating to:
Land development
Stormwater and flood plain management
Traffic matters including parking, street signs, road closures, and pavement markings
Property boundaries
Water distribution, sanitary sewer collection, and transportation network master planning
Records of public infrastructure, including water, sewer, road, lighting, and service lines to private buildings
Property Lines & Lot Dimensions
The city does not perform legal surveys for private properties. The Engineering Department has records for most lots within city limits, as they were originally platted. To request a copy of the original subdivision plat for you area, you can contact the Engineering Department. Please include your lot and block number and subdivision name or your street address.
Property corners are usually a 1/2” iron pipe or rebar, also called a property pin. They are generally 0.5' to 1.5' behind the back of the sidewalk (the side closest to your house) in residential areas. Sidewalk joints, are often times located in line with the property lines. The property pins can be anywhere from a few inches to over a foot deep (if they are still there). If you can’t find your property pins you may need to hire a professional land surveyor to locate or reset them.
Anything in front of the property line is considered a street right of way.
In older areas of town (especially where the lots were originally very small) the property dimensions may have changed if parts of the property were bought or sold after the subdivision plat was recorded. You can use the online property search database located in City Finance Department’s Assessing Division webpage to find the legal description for your property and other information.
