Naming Conventions

Certain naming conventions are applied, typical at the subdivision plat stage, to ensure consistency and administrative efficiency. All street names are reviewed by Central Dakota Communications Center (CenCom) for legibility for emergency responders.

Subdivision Plat Names

• A subdivision name must be unique within Burleigh County.
• A subdivision within city limits, or intended to be annexed prior to development, ends with “Addition,” or outside of city limits, ends with “Subdivision.”
• Subdivisions in a master planned area or generally under common ownership should be labeled in a sequence, starting with “First.” The sequence is based on recording date, not application date.
• Number sequences should be alphabetic (e.g. “Second” instead of “2nd”). No numbers should be used in the name.
• Names of replats should be the next in a sequence from the initial plat (“XX Second Addition” instead of “XX First Addition First Replat”). However, replats of underlying subdivisions that already use the name “Replat” may continue in the same manner.
• Subdivision names may not begin with an article (e.g. the).
• Use of proper names, whether personal or business, may be done only with consent of the named party.
• Subdivision names may not contain any punctuation or symbols (e.g. commas, apostrophes).
• Subdivisions owned by the City and intended for a civic use should be named "Municipal Xth Addition/Subdivision" in sequence.

Street Names

• Streets names already used in the Bismarck-Mandan-Lincoln region cannot be used again unless they are a continuation of the same street. Allowance for future connection may be acceptable.
• Street names may not sound like any existing street, such that confusion may result from verbal communication.
• A street name should be continuous along an entire segment of street and should only change at major intersections or jurisdictional boundaries.
• Numeric street names should be written with numbers rather than being spelled out (e.g. N 5th St instead of N Fifth St)
• Suffixes are reserved for roadways that meet certain conditions, including the following examples: 
  • Avenue (Ave) - A wide street running in east/west direction. 
  • Street (St) - A wide street running in north/south direction.
  • Circle (Cir) or Loop (Loop) - Typical residential street that starts and ends from the same connecting street.
  • Court (Ct) or Place (Pl) - Short street typically ending in a cul-de-sac.
  • Drive (Dr) - General use, typically not as straight as street or avenue. 
  • Other suffixes are acceptable as determined by CenCom 
• Street names should show directional modifiers, if they exist (e.g. 43rd Ave NE instead of 43rd Ave).
• Cul-de-sacs should utilize the name of the main connecting road (e.g. Kost Drive and Kost Place)
• Private streets must be named if three or more units are accessed from the street. However, alleys and driveways should not be named.
• Street name themes are encouraged for subdivisions to aid wayfinding.