§ 40-02-11 — Division into wards

If a majority of the votes cast on the question at the election provided for in this chapter
favored incorporation as a city, the board of county commissioners that ordered the election
shall, if the territory has been incorporated as a city under the council form of government,
divide the city into wards. The city may not be divided into wards unless it has more than six
hundred inhabitants. If the city has more than six hundred inhabitants, one ward must be formed
for each two council members to which the city is entitled. In cities of more than fifteen thousand
inhabitants, however, the number of wards is limited to seven originally, and that number may
be increased thereafter as provided in this title. Each ward must be formed from contiguous
territory, and all wards must be numbered consecutively and must have, as nearly as
practicable, the same number of inhabitants. After the election of council members, the
governing body of the city shall form or establish wards pursuant to law.