Bismarck Concrete Repair Guide: Sidewalks & Permits (2026)

Updated October 19, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Winter	About 50 inches of snow a year; January mean about 13°F	NOAA 1991–2020 normals (via Wikipedia)
Ground	Missouri River floodplain silt, sand and clay; glacial deposits and claystone bedrock; variable fill	North Dakota Geological Survey
State license	Required for jobs over $4,000; check on FirstStop	ND Secretary of State
City permit	Concrete permit for sidewalks, curbs and driveway aprons in the right-of-way	City of Bismarck
Contractor rules	City-approved, licensed (Class D or higher) and bonded ($5,000)	City of Bismarck
Sidewalk notices	Owner must repair; may use own contractor or city contract with special assessment	City engineer testimony, 2025
City contact	Engineering Department, 701-355-1505	City of Bismarck

Why does concrete settle and heave here?

Bismarck's winters are long and cold, with roughly 50 inches of snow in a normal year and a January mean near 13°F. Water that reaches the soil under a slab freezes and expands, lifting the concrete, then leaves voids as it thaws. Over many seasons, that cycle loosens and washes out the base.

The ground varies a lot across town. The North Dakota Geological Survey's surface geology map of the Bismarck area shows Missouri River alluvium (silt, sand, clay and gravel) along the floodplain, glacial till and outwash on the uplands, and Cannonball Formation claystone and sandstone underneath. It also notes that construction fill thickness is highly variable and that settling has occurred within filled excavations. Concrete poured over loose or uneven fill is the most likely to sink.

How does the City of Bismarck handle sidewalk repairs?

Property owners are responsible for the public sidewalk in front of their property. In 2025 testimony to the North Dakota Legislature on House Bill 1513, Bismarck's city engineer described the process: most repairs start with public reports of hazards; the city reviews the area and notifies the owner of the hazard and the duty to repair; notice is given within the current construction season and extended to the following season if the owner asks. Many repairs are done under an annual city contract, and owners using it can choose to have the cost specially assessed. Owners can also hire a licensed and bonded contractor and pay them directly.

What permits and licenses apply?

The City of Bismarck requires a concrete permit to construct sidewalks or repair curbs and driveway aprons in the right-of-way, and the work must be done by a city-approved licensed and bonded contractor; the city publishes a list. Its 2024 concrete contractor packet calls for a North Dakota Class D or higher contractor license, a $5,000 license/permit bond, and liability insurance, and says the permit must be obtained at least 24 hours before pouring.

Statewide, North Dakota requires a contractor license for any job costing more than $4,000. You can confirm a license on the Secretary of State's FirstStop contractor search.

Lift or replace?

Lift when the slab is still in one or two solid pieces and has settled or tipped. Replace when it's broken into many pieces, the surface is badly scaled or crumbling, or it's failing because of a problem leveling can't fix. Either way, fix what caused the movement: extend downspouts, move sump discharge away from slabs, and seal joints, especially the one against the house.

Questions to ask a contractor

Mudjacking or foam, and why for this slab?
How many holes, and how will they be patched?
What caused the settling, and what will keep it from happening again?
Do you hold a North Dakota contractor license, and are you on the city's licensed and bonded list for right-of-way work?
Will you pull the permit, and what does your warranty cover?

Common questions

Do I need a permit to fix my sidewalk in Bismarck?

Yes, for sidewalks, curbs and driveway aprons in the right-of-way. The work must be done by a city-approved licensed and bonded contractor, who should pull the permit.

Does a concrete contractor need a license in North Dakota?

Yes, for jobs over $4,000. Check the contractor on the Secretary of State's FirstStop contractor search.

Can the city do my sidewalk repair?

According to the city engineer's 2025 testimony, many repairs are done under an annual city contract, and owners can choose to have the cost specially assessed against the property.

Bismarck concrete repair guide (2026)