From and after the filing with the secretary of state of a charter framed and approved in reasonable conformity with the provisions of this chapter, such city, and the citizens thereof, shall, if included in the charter and implemented through ordinances, have the following powers set out in this chapter:
1. To acquire, hold, operate, and dispose of property within or without the corporate limits, and, subject to chapter 32-15, exercise the right of eminent domain for such purposes.2. To control its finances and fiscal affairs; to appropriate money for its purposes, and make payment of its debts and expenses; to contract debts, borrow money, issue bonds, warrants, and other evidences of indebtedness; to establish charges for any city or other services; and to establish debt limitations.3. To levy and collect property taxes and special assessments for benefits conferred, for its public and proprietary functions, activities, operations, undertakings, and improvements, and establish mill levy limitations. Notwithstanding any authority granted under this chapter, all property must be assessed in a uniform manner as prescribed by the state board of equalization and the state supervisor of assessments and all taxable property must be taxed by the city at the same rate unless otherwise provided by law.4. To levy and collect an infrastructure fee. The fee must replace a general special assessment on all property for payment of infrastructure maintenance costs through a utility bill issued by a municipality. The money collected under this subsection may not be used for any purpose other than infrastructure maintenance costs. If a home rule city levies an infrastructure fee, the home rule city also may levy and collect green field special assessments. As used in this subsection:a. "General special assessments" means special assessments levied for the purpose of maintaining existing roads and infrastructure and special assessments levied for the construction or repair of arterial roads and infrastructure that provide a benefit to the entire community.b. "Green field special assessments" means special assessments levied for infrastructure costs associated with the development of agricultural or undeveloped property.5. To levy and collect excises, fees, charges, franchise and license taxes, sales and use taxes, farm machinery gross receipts taxes, alcoholic beverage gross receipts taxes, a city lodging tax, and a city restaurant tax. For purposes of this section, any taxes imposed under this section on farm machinery, farm irrigation equipment, and farm machinery repair parts used exclusively for agricultural purposes, or on alcoholic beverages, which were in effect on December 31, 2005, become gross receipts taxes after December 31, 2005. After December 31, 2005, any portion of a charter or any portion of an ordinance passed pursuant to a charter which does not conform to the requirements of this section is invalid to the extent it does not conform. The invalidity of a portion of a charter or ordinance because it does not conform with this subsection does not affect the validity of any other portion of the charter or ordinance of the eligibility for a refund under section 57-01-02.1. Ordinances enacted after August 1, 2017, may not allow for the collection and levy of any tax not otherwise specified under this section. Sales and use taxes and gross receipts taxes levied under this section: a. Must conform in all respects with regard to the taxable or exempt status of items under chapters 57-39.2, 57-39.5, 57-39.6, and 57-40.2 and may not be imposed at multiple rates with the exception of sales of manufactured homes or mobile homes.b. May not be newly imposed or changed except to be effective on the first day of a calendar quarterly period after a minimum of ninety days' notice to the tax commissioner or, for purchases from printed catalogs, on the first day of a calendar quarter after a minimum of one hundred twenty days' notice to the seller.c. May not be limited to apply to less than the full value of the transaction or item as determined for state sales and use tax purposes, except for farm machinery gross receipts tax.d. Must be subject to collection by the tax commissioner under an agreement under section 57-01-02.1, with the exception of a city lodging or city restaurant tax, and must be administered by the tax commissioner in accordance with the relevant provisions of chapter 57-39.2, including reporting and paying requirements, correction of errors, payment of refunds, and application of penalty and interest.6. To fix the fees, number, terms, conditions, duration, and manner of issuing and revoking licenses in the exercise of its governmental police powers.7. To provide for city officers, agencies, and employees, their selection, terms, powers, duties, qualifications, and compensation. To provide for change, selection, or creation of its form and structure of government, including its governing body, executive officer, and city officers.8. To provide for city courts, their jurisdiction and powers over ordinance violations, duties, administration, and the selection, qualifications, and compensation of their officers; however, the right of appeal from judgment of such courts shall not be in any way affected.9. To provide for all matters pertaining to city elections, except as to qualifications of electors.10. To provide for the adoption, amendment, and repeal of ordinances, resolutions, and regulations to carry out its governmental and proprietary powers and to provide for public health, safety, morals, and welfare, and penalties for a violation thereof.11. To lay out or vacate streets, alleys, and public grounds, and to provide for the use, operation, and regulation thereof.12. To define offenses against private persons and property and the public health, safety, morals, and welfare, and provide penalties for violations thereof. This subsection is subject to the provisions of section 62.1-01-03.13. To engage in any utility, business, or enterprise permitted by the constitution or not prohibited by statute or to grant and regulate franchises therefor to a private person, firm, corporation, or limited liability company.14. To provide for zoning, planning, and subdivision of public or private property within the city limits. To provide for such zoning, planning, and subdivision of public or private property outside the city limits as may be permitted by state law. This subsection is subject to the provisions of section 62.1-01-03.15. To exercise in the conduct of its affairs all powers usually exercised by a corporation.16. To fix the boundary limits of said city and the annexation and deannexation of territory adjacent to said city except that such power shall be subject to, and shall conform with the state law made and provided.17. To contract with and receive grants from any other governmental entity or agency, with respect to any local, state, or federal program, project, or works.It is the intention of this chapter to grant and confirm to the people of all cities coming within its provisions the full right of self-government in both local and city matters within the powers enumerated herein. The statutes of the state of North Dakota, so far as applicable, shall continue to apply to home rule cities, except insofar as superseded by the charters of such cities or by ordinance passed pursuant to such charters.
Amended by S.L. 2023 , ch. 106( HB 1340 ), § 2, eff. 8/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2021 , ch. 303( HB 1419 ), § 3, eff. 7/1/2021.Amended by S.L. 2017 , ch. 86( SB 2326 ), § 2, eff. 8/1/2017.Amended by S.L. 2011 , ch. 473( HB 1391 ), § 2, eff. 7/1/2011.