N.D. Cent. Code § 40-18.1-05 (2025)
1. A municipal judge must be elected to serve a term of four years and may not hold any other office in the city in which the municipal judge serves as a judge. The city auditor shall notify the state court administrator of the election or appointment of a municipal judge or alternate municipal judge.
2. Except when prohibited by home rule charter or ordinance, the municipal judge may be a part-time judge and may serve as a municipal judge in more than one city.
3. A municipal judge in a city with a population of five thousand or more must be licensed to practice law in this state and must be a resident of the city unless the city, by ordinance or resolution, provides the municipal judge is not required to be a resident of the city.
4. The municipal judge in a city with a population of fewer than five thousand is not required to be licensed to practice law in this state and is not required to be a resident of the city.
5. The governing body of the city shall fix the compensation of the municipal judge.