N.D.C.C. §§ 14-02.5-01 through 14-02.5-46 § 14-02.5-37
Pattern or practice case - Penalties.
Operative Text
14-02.5-37. Pattern or practice case - Penalties.
1. On the request of the department, the attorney general may file a claim for relief in
district court for appropriate relief if the department has reasonable cause to believe
that a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of a
right granted under this chapter or a person has been denied a right granted by this
chapter and that denial raises an issue of general public importance.
2. In an action under this section, the court may award preventive relief, including a
permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person
responsible for a violation of this chapter as necessary to assure the full enjoyment of
the rights granted by this chapter; award other appropriate relief, including monetary
damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs; and to vindicate the public
interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent in an amount that does not
exceed fifty thousand dollars for a first violation and one hundred thousand dollars for
a second or subsequent violation.
3. A person may intervene in an action under this section if the person is a person
aggrieved by the discriminatory housing practice or a party to a conciliation agreement
concerning the discriminatory housing practice.Section 14-02.5-37 of the North Dakota Century Code authorizes the state attorney general, at the request of the Department of Labor and Human Rights, to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe someone is engaged in a pattern or practice of fair housing violations, or when a single denial of rights raises a significant public concern. Courts handling such cases may grant injunctive relief, award monetary damages, attorney's fees, and court costs, and may impose civil penalties up to $50,000 for a first violation and up to $100,000 for any subsequent violation. Individuals harmed by the discriminatory housing practice, or parties to a related conciliation agreement, are permitted to intervene in the action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in North Dakota should understand that § 14-02.5-37 empowers the attorney general to pursue court action—not just administrative remedies—when conduct suggests a recurring pattern of fair housing non-compliance. Compliant operators typically maintain consistent, documented, non-discriminatory policies across all properties and transactions to avoid the kind of repeated conduct that could trigger a pattern-or-practice investigation. Civil penalties under this provision can reach $100,000 for second or subsequent violations, making systemic compliance practices a central operational priority.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 14-02.5-37, if you believe you have experienced housing discrimination that is part of a broader pattern or is of general public importance, the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights can refer the matter to the attorney general for potential court action. As an aggrieved person, you also have the right to intervene directly in any lawsuit filed under this section, which may allow you to seek monetary damages and other relief alongside the state's action. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help you understand how this provision interacts with other complaint pathways available under North Dakota's fair housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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