N.D.C.C. §§ 47-16-01 through 47-16-30.1, 47-16-31 through 47-16-35, 47-16-42 § 47-16-07.6
Service animals - Housing - Penalties for furnishing fraudulent disability documentation.
Operative Text
47-16-07.6. Service animals - Housing - Penalties for furnishing fraudulent disability
documentation.
1. An individual is guilty of an infraction if the individual, in an attempt to obtain a
reasonable housing accommodation under section 47-16-07.5, knowingly makes a
false claim of having a disability that requires the use of a service animal or assistance
animal or knowingly provides fraudulent supporting documentation in connection with
such a claim.
2. If the individual pleads guilty or is convicted of an offense under subsection 1, a lessor
may evict a lessee and the lessor is entitled to a damage fee, not to exceed one
thousand dollars, from a lessee if the lessee provides fraudulent disability
documentation indicating a disability requiring the use of a service animal or
assistance animal.Section 47-16-07.6 of the North Dakota Century Code addresses fraudulent claims related to service or assistance animals in housing. Under this provision, it is an infraction for a person to knowingly make a false disability claim or submit fraudulent documentation in order to obtain a reasonable housing accommodation. If that person is convicted or pleads guilty, the landlord gains the legal right to pursue eviction and to seek a damage fee of up to one thousand dollars from the tenant responsible for the fraudulent documentation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.6, landlords who receive a guilty plea or conviction against a tenant for submitting fraudulent disability documentation related to a service or assistance animal accommodation request are entitled to pursue two remedies: eviction of that lessee and a damage fee of up to $1,000. Compliant operators typically document all accommodation requests and supporting materials carefully, preserving records that could be relevant if a fraudulent claim later comes to light. Because the damage fee remedy is contingent on a criminal outcome, landlords generally work through the appropriate legal channels before initiating eviction or fee recovery under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 47-16-07.6 makes clear that submitting false disability documentation or making a knowingly false disability claim to obtain a service or assistance animal accommodation is a criminal infraction under North Dakota law. A tenant found guilty or who pleads guilty under this provision may face eviction and a damage fee of up to $1,000 payable to the landlord. Tenants who have questions about their legitimate rights to request reasonable accommodations for a genuine disability may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with North Dakota 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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation