DEVILS LAKE, N.D. - An assistant attorney general says North Dakota townships can enact zoning regulations that trump county rules.
Julie Krenz said in the letter to Ramsey County State's Attorney Lonnie Olson that three previous attorney general opinions have reached that conclusion.
"Once a township enacts its own zoning regulations, those regulations take precedence over any contrary or inconsistent county regulations," Krenz said.
A group called Viking Feeders has started construction on an $8 million hog farrowing operation in northern Ramsey County.
The County Commission in January denied a county permit for the group, fearing that manure might contaminate Devils Lake. The group then went to the Prospect Township board, which approved the hog business plan.
