North Dakota landlord guide — LaMoure, southeastern ND, James River valley, grain and livestock agriculture, wind energy development & NDCC Ch. 47-16 / 47-32
🏛️ County Seat: LaMoure 👥 Population: ~4,000 🏛️ State: ND
Landlord-Tenant Law in LaMoure County, North Dakota
LaMoure County stretches across southeastern North Dakota along the James River, one of the longest unimpeded rivers in the northern plains. The James River valley’s rich alluvial soils make LaMoure County one of the more productive agricultural counties in this part of the state, supporting intensive grain farming — wheat, corn, soybeans, and sunflowers — alongside cattle and livestock operations on the surrounding uplands. The county seat of LaMoure, with roughly 900 residents, and the slightly larger community of Edgeley to the west, with approximately 500 residents, together form the county’s dual commercial centers.
LaMoure County’s rental market is small but sustained by a combination of county government employment, two school districts, healthcare services, agricultural services businesses, and an emerging wind energy sector that has added construction and operations employment in recent years. The county’s position along US Highway 281 provides north-south connectivity, while its proximity to Jamestown (Stutsman County) to the north gives some residents access to a larger regional employment market. Kulm, in the county’s southwest corner, adds a third community with its own school and commercial base.
All residential landlord-tenant matters in LaMoure County are governed by NDCC Ch. 47-16 and Ch. 47-32. Eviction actions are filed at the LaMoure County District Court in LaMoure, part of the Southeast Judicial District. No rent control exists. No just-cause eviction requirement applies.
LaMoure (~900), Edgeley (~500), Kulm (~350), Marion
Median Rent
~$475–$700
Major Employers
LaMoure County, public schools (LaMoure, Edgeley, Kulm), grain elevators & co-ops, cattle & livestock operations, wind energy, healthcare clinics
Median HH Income
~$55,000
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
6/10 — small market with three viable communities, stable ag/public-sector base, emerging wind energy, James River valley, full ND landlord protections
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
Lease Violation
3-Day Notice to Quit (no cure right)
Month-to-Month
30-Day Written Notice
Court
LaMoure County District Court (Southeast Judicial District)
Courthouse Address
202 4th Ave. NE, LaMoure, ND 58458
Court Phone
(701) 883-5301
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Filing Fee
~$80
Hearing Set
3–15 days after summons served
Hardship Stay
Up to 5 days (court discretion)
Avg Timeline
2–5 weeks
Attorney Fees
Recoverable by prevailing landlord (§ 47-32-04)
LaMoure County Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
County and municipal rules that apply alongside North Dakota state law
Category
Details
Rental Registration
No mandatory landlord licensing or rental registration in LaMoure County, LaMoure, Edgeley, or Kulm. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. No short-term rental licensing framework at the local level.
Rent Control
No rent control in LaMoure County. For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide at least 30 days’ written notice prior to a rent increase. Rent may not be raised during a fixed-term lease unless the lease expressly permits it (NDCC § 47-16-07).
Security Deposit
Cap of one month’s rent for standard tenancies (NDCC § 47-16-07.1). Pet deposit permitted up to the greater of $2,500 or two months’ rent. Return required within 30 days. Interest required if occupancy is 9 months or more. Move-in checklist required — both parties must sign.
Landlord Entry
No specific statutory notice period in North Dakota, but entry must occur at reasonable times and for legitimate purposes. Emergency entry permitted without advance notice. Lease terms should define entry procedures.
Late Fees
Must be stated in the written lease. Mandatory 3-day grace period applies (§ 47-16-07(2)) — no late fee may be charged until after the grace period expires. No statutory cap, but amount must be disclosed.
Legal Entities in Eviction
LLCs, corporations, and other legal entities must be represented by a licensed North Dakota attorney in all eviction proceedings. Pro se representation is available only to individual natural persons. (Wetzel v. Schlenvogt, 2005.)
2025 Eviction Record Sealing (SB 2238)
Tenants may petition to seal eviction records 7 years after satisfying judgment. Dismissals and tenant-favorable outcomes may be sealed immediately. Personal references and employer verification are essential screening tools across all three LaMoure County communities.
Just-Cause Eviction
No just-cause eviction requirement in LaMoure County. Month-to-month tenancies may be terminated with 30 days’ written notice without cause. Fixed-term leases end at expiration without renewal obligation.
NDCC Ch. 47-16 and Ch. 47-32 statutes, notice requirements, and landlord rights that apply in LaMoure County
⚡ Quick Overview
3
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
3
Days Notice (Violation)
14-30
Avg Total Days
$$80
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Notice Period3 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 3-day notice period to stop eviction
Days to Hearing3-15 (hearing set 3-15 days after summons served) days
Days to WritImmediate after judgment (5-day hardship stay possible) days
Total Estimated Timeline14-30 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-350
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL: North Dakota is very landlord-friendly. 3-day notice for nonpayment after rent is 3 days past due. No cure right beyond the 3-day notice period. Eviction law strictly limits combining eviction with other lease claims. Court issues judgment for immediate restitution if landlord prevails (§ 47-32-04). Hardship exception: if tenant shows immediate removal causes substantial hardship (except for disturbing peace), court may stay writ up to 5 days. Tenant can request case be heard by District Court judge (rather than judicial referee) within 7 days. Security deposit may be applied to unpaid rent/fees by court. NEW (2025): SB 2238 allows tenants to petition for sealing eviction records 7 years after satisfying judgment (no subsequent evictions); DV victims can seal immediately.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the State District Court - Eviction Action (NDCC Ch. 47-32). Pay the filing fee (~$$80).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about North Dakota eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified North Dakota attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
North Dakota landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in North Dakota —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need North Dakota's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
LaMoure (county seat, James River), Edgeley (US-281, commercial hub), Kulm (German-Russian heritage, SW corner), Marion. Three viable communities spread rental demand. Grain and livestock agriculture, emerging wind energy. 3-day pay or quit, no rent control, no just-cause eviction.
LaMoure County
Screen Before You Sign
Core tenant profiles: LaMoure County government workers, school district staff (LaMoure, Edgeley, Kulm districts), grain elevator and co-op employees, wind energy technicians, agricultural operators, and healthcare clinic workers. For wind energy tenants, confirm O&M vs. construction employment. Verify income at 3x rent and run ND District Court eviction records.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in LaMoure County, North Dakota
LaMoure County is a James River valley agricultural county in southeastern North Dakota that offers landlords something unusual for a county of its size: three separate communities with their own schools, commercial bases, and distinct identities. LaMoure, Edgeley, and Kulm each maintain populations large enough to support small rental markets, and the county’s overall population of roughly 4,000 — while modest by any urban standard — is spread across these communities in a way that creates more geographic diversity in rental demand than a county with a single dominant town.
LaMoure: The County Seat on the James River
The city of LaMoure sits along the James River in the eastern part of the county, serving as the governmental center and home to the county courthouse, county offices, and the LaMoure Public School District. With approximately 900 residents, LaMoure is the county’s largest community and the location where most county government and court-related employment is concentrated. The James River provides recreational amenities and scenic character that distinguish LaMoure from the purely prairie communities to the west. Healthcare clinic services, grain elevator operations, and farm supply businesses round out the employment base.
Edgeley: The Highway Hub
Edgeley sits along U.S. Highway 281 in the western part of the county, functioning as LaMoure County’s commercial crossroads. With roughly 500 residents, Edgeley’s highway position makes it a natural stopping point and services hub for the surrounding agricultural area. The Edgeley Public School District, local businesses, and agricultural services employers provide the employment base. Edgeley’s proximity to the South Dakota border also gives it a modest cross-border trade function. Rental demand in Edgeley is small but steady, driven primarily by school district and agricultural services employment.
Kulm: German-Russian Heritage Community
Kulm, in LaMoure County’s southwest corner, is a community of approximately 350 residents with deep German-Russian heritage roots similar to those found in neighboring Emmons and McIntosh counties. Kulm maintains its own school district, churches, and commercial businesses, and its tight-knit community character means that tenants in Kulm are often known quantities with verifiable local connections. The rental market in Kulm is extremely small but sustained by school district employment, local businesses, and farm families who maintain a town residence.
Wind Energy: The Emerging Sector
LaMoure County’s open terrain and reliable winds have attracted wind energy development that brings both construction-phase employment and permanent operations and maintenance jobs. Wind turbine technicians who maintain operational wind farms represent a growing tenant segment with strong incomes and multi-year employment stability. During construction phases, temporary crews of electricians, tower erectors, and laborers can create short-term housing demand spikes. Landlords should distinguish between these two categories when structuring lease terms.
North Dakota Law in LaMoure County
LaMoure County landlords operate under NDCC Ch. 47-16 and Ch. 47-32. The 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit for nonpayment (after the mandatory 3-day grace period under § 47-16-07(2)), the 3-Day Notice to Quit for lease violations with no cure right, and the 30-Day Written Notice for month-to-month terminations are the operative notice timelines. The LaMoure County District Court at 202 4th Ave. NE in LaMoure, part of the Southeast Judicial District, handles eviction filings. Hearings are typically set within 3 to 15 days of summons service. LLCs and other entities must retain licensed North Dakota counsel. Attorney fees are recoverable by the prevailing landlord under § 47-32-04.
LaMoure County landlord-tenant matters are governed by NDCC Ch. 47-16 and Ch. 47-32. Nonpayment notice: 3-day pay or quit (after 3-day grace period). Lease violation: 3-day quit (no cure). Month-to-month termination: 30-day written notice. Security deposit cap: 1 month’s rent; pet deposit up to $2,500 or 2 months. Deposit return: 30 days; interest required if occupancy 9+ months. Late fees must be in lease; no charge during 3-day grace period. Legal entities must use licensed ND attorney in eviction. Attorney fees recoverable by prevailing landlord (§ 47-32-04). Hardship stay: up to 5 days. Eviction filed at LaMoure County District Court, 202 4th Ave. NE, LaMoure, ND 58458, (701) 883-5301. Filing fee ~$80. Southeast Judicial District. 2025 SB 2238: eviction record sealing after 7 years. No rent control. No just-cause eviction requirement. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in LaMoure County, North Dakota and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed North Dakota attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: May 2026.
