Court Opinion

ID: 9689023
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 18:16:42.170984+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:27:48.184161
License: Public Domain

PEDERSON, Justice,
dissenting.
One thing is clear — the City of Williston has adopted an ordinance which imposes a duty upon an applicant for a building permit to assure compliance with applicable safety rules. When Streifel signed the application he expressly undertook a duty. To hold that he is, as a matter of law, nonetheless free of responsibility, renders part of the ordinance meaningless.
In my view the majority opinion recites what the law ought to be, not what it is. I do not think it was wise for the City to impose the duty on the basis of who signed the application for the permit — but it is not ordinarily a prerogative of the courts to question the wisdom of legislation. See Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. v. Johanneson, 153 N.W.2d 414 (N.D.1967). If we intend to say that cities may not impose a duty upon permit applicants, we should be more explicit, and we should explain why.
The summary judgment of dismissal should be vacated and the case remanded for trial.