Fargo, ND Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Fargo Municipal Code § 12-0203
- Where allowed
- AG-Agricultural District property only
- Covered animals
- Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine
- Impound fee (horse/cattle)
- $2.00 each
- Fair/exhibition exception
- Temporary, health dept.-approved
Summary
Fargo bans keeping horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and swine within city limits unless the property is zoned AG-Agricultural District.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or owners of any farm animal mentioned in § 12-0213 to allow the same to be kept within the limits of the city, except that such farm animals may be kept on property which is classified as "AG-Agricultural District" under the Land Development Code (Fargo Municipal Code, Chapter 20) of the city of Fargo. It shall further be unlawful to allow any such farm animal to run at large on the streets, avenues, alleys, parks, or public grounds of the city, or to be tethered or staked out on the streets, parks, or public grounds of the city, or to be tethered or staked in such a manner as to go upon any street, sidewalk, crosswalk, or public ground within the city. Any such animals found within the corporate limits of the city except on property zoned with an "AG-Agricultural District" are declared to be public nuisances. This section shall not apply to the owners of any farm animals kept as a part of any state educational institution or the owners of any farm animals temporarily exhibited at any fair or agricultural exhibition, provided said animals are stabled and cared for in a sanitary manner approved by the health department.
Source: 1965 Rev. Ord. 12-0203, 1699 (1976), 4729 (2010), 5092 (2017).
Full Breakdown
Fargo Municipal Code § 12-0203 makes it unlawful to keep any farm animal, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, or swine, per the species listed in § 12-0213, anywhere in the city except on property classified AG-Agricultural District under the city's Land Development Code (Chapter 20). Running such animals at large or tethering them on streets, alleys, parks, or public grounds is also unlawful. Animals kept in violation are declared public nuisances and subject to impoundment. A narrow exception covers animals kept as part of a state educational institution or temporarily exhibited at a fair or agricultural exhibition, provided they're stabled and cared for sanitarily as approved by the health department.
Violations & Fines
Farm animals found outside an AG-zoned property are impoundable under § 12-0204/12-0205; the chief of police or any officer may seize them. Redemption fees run $1-$2 per animal depending on species (horse kind and cattle $2, sheep/swine/goats $1), plus daily boarding charges, under § 12-0213. Unredeemed animals may be sold at public auction per § 12-0210-0212.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens under this rule instead?
Does zoning my lot AG automatically allow horses?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
How Fargo compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Fargo to another location·View the North Dakota animal ordinances overview
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