Fargo, ND Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Fargo, ND, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Front/street-side setback
- Not allowed in it
- Rear/interior side setback
- 3 feet minimum
- Height limit (SR/MR/UMU)
- 15 feet max
- Permit-exempt size
- 120 sq ft or less, detached
- Governing section
- Land Development Code § 20-0403
Summary
Fargo zoning treats a carport as an accessory structure: it can't sit in the front or street-side setback, must clear at least 3 feet from rear and interior side lot lines, and is capped at 15 feet tall in most residential districts.
No accessory structure, other than a fence, wall or hedge may be located within a required front or street side setback. ...accessory structures, when located within the rear yard area, are exempt from the rear and interior-side setback requirements of the underlying zoning district and shall be set back at least 3 feet from rear and interior-side lot lines. ...In SR-1 through SR-5 and MR and UMU zoning districts accessory structures shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
Full Breakdown
Under Land Development Code Sec. 20-0403, accessory structures, the category that covers carports, garages, and sheds, are barred from any required front or street-side setback and must be built after the main house goes up, not before. In the rear and interior-side yards they get a reduced 3-foot minimum setback in most zoning districts (SR-1 through SR-5, MR, UMU), and height tops out at 15 feet. A detached structure of 120 square feet or less is exempt from a building permit under the city's amended residential code (Article 21.1-01, IRC Sec. R105.2); anything larger, or attached to the house, needs one from the Building Official before it goes up.
Violations & Fines
Carports built in a front/street-side setback, closer than 3 feet to a rear or side line, over 15 feet tall, or erected without a required building permit are subject to correction orders from the Building Official or Zoning Administrator and can be required to be moved, resized, or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a carport in my front yard in Fargo?
Do I need a permit for a small carport in Fargo?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
How Fargo compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Fargo to another location·View the North Dakota accessory structures overview
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