North Dakota Security Deposit Rules
Landlord obligations under N.D. Cent. Code §§ 47-16-07.1, 47-16-07.2
Deposit limit
1 month's rent
1 month's rent (2 months for felony-conviction or prior-judgment tenants), plus a separate pet deposit — non-service animals only — up to the greater of $2,500 or 2 months
How the deposit limit varies
| Scenario | Maximum deposit | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Default | 1 month's rent | — |
| Tenant convicted of a felony | up to 2 months' rent | permissive — the lessor "may accept" the higher amount "as an incentive to rent the property to the individual" (§ 47-16-07.1(1)(a)) |
| Tenant with a prior lease-violation judgment | up to 2 months' rent | a judgment was entered against the individual for violating the terms of a previous rental agreement (§ 47-16-07.1(1)(b)) |
| Pet deposit (separate) | greater of $2,500 or 2 months' rent | for an animal that is not a service animal or a disability-accommodation companion animal; separately authorized and charged in addition to the base deposit (§ 47-16-07.1(2)) |
- The base cap covers "security, however denominated"; subsection 2's pet deposit is its own authorization and stacks on top (refute pass confirmed the stacking reading against the official text).
- Verified against the official 2023/2025 sections-affected tables: SB 2331 (2023) and HB 1272 (2025) both failed second reading; the last substantive cap change was 2019 (prior-judgment tier).
Source: N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(1)-(2) (tiered; separate pet deposit, greater of $2,500 or 2 months), for the figures shown above. This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a North Dakota attorney for specific guidance.
Deposit limit verified against N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(1)-(2) (tiered; separate pet deposit, greater of $2,500 or 2 months) as of Jul 27, 2026.