BIA Advocacy Update

Fargo seeks feedback on 2026 Land Development Code discussion draft

Four main articles of the 2026 Land Development Code are available in draft form to review. It includes:

• Article 2: Districts
• Article 3: Use Regulations
• Article 4: Site and Subdivision Standards
• Article 5: Development Standards

The city is asking for comments by May 1. You can submit your comments through this form.

To access more information on the 2026 LDC process, click here.

Upcoming: BIA-RRV to host Candidate Forums for local races

The BIA-RRV is hosting events in the next few weeks for Association members to meet with candidates running for local offices in West Fargo, Fargo and Horace. 

All are free and include lunch for in-person attendees. 

April 22: West Fargo Candidate Forums

Register here.

• 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Commission Candidates
• 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Meeting with Mayoral Candidate

April 28: Fargo Candidate Forums

Register here.

• 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Commission Candidates
• 12:30 - 2 p.m. Mayoral Candidates

May 5: Horace City Council 

Register here. 

• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

Fargo Mayoral Debate

In addition, BIA-RRV is partnering with the FMWF Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Community Partnership to host a Fargo Mayoral Debate at the historic Fargo Theatre, downtown. 

April 21: 6:30 - 8 p.m. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. If you wish to attend, you must register here.

This event is free and open to the public.

North Dakota Association of Builders Spring Board Meeting & Social in Bismarck

BIA-RRV leaders headed to Bismarck in late March to attend NDAB's Spring Board Meeting and Social. The meeting included state association businesses as well as hearing updates from special guests. 

Guests included:

• Edward Jones Financial Advisor – Jason Naas (NDAB's financial advisor)
• ND Unclaimed Property Compliance Officer – Emily Bosch 
• Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Alliance Group – Bill Dean
• ND Electrical Board Executive Director – James Schmidt 
• NAHB AVP of Government Affairs – Heather Voorman
•  Integrity Public Affairs - Lisa Feldman (NDAB's lobbyist)

After the board meeting, directors had some fun at X-Golf for a BUILD-PAC social. BUILD-PAC is the National Association of Home Builders PAC, which collects funds to support pro-housing and pro-building candidates at the federal level.

Above (left to right): BIA Board members, Shelly Zeis, J & L Construction, NDAB Director; Tim Gauer, Bell Bank, NDAB Director; John Gunkelman, JG Services, NDAB Director; Adam Olson, Allstar Construction, NDAB Treasurer and Joe Striegel, Dakota Construction, NDAB Director. 

Not pictured but present: Shannon Roers, ROERS, NDAB Director.

ICC public comment hearings begin April 19

The International Code Council (ICC) is holding its combined Public Comment Hearings for the 2024-2027 building code cycle starting on April 19 in Connecticut. 

NAHB members around the country are encouraged to watch the livestream. It will start at 1 p.m. ET on April 19 and go until April 23.

It will be streamed on the ICC's webcast page: https://www.iccsafe.org/events/conference/webcast-ac/

Materials and proposed changes for each code can be found here.