N.D. Cent. Code § 40-51.2-09

Upon receipt of a petition, the director of the office of administrative hearings shall appoint an administrative law judge to hear the petition. If the annexation was initiated under section 40-51.2-07, the administrative law judge shall determine whether the annexing city has substantially complied with all of the procedural requirements in the annexation process. If substantial compliance has been met, or if the annexation was initiated under section 40-51.2-03, the administrative law judge shall designate a time and place at which the petition will be heard. The time of the hearing may not be less than thirty days after receipt of the petition.