Fargo, ND Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Base rule
- Home dog grooming is prohibited
- Exception path
- Qualify as Minor Home Occupation
- Permit required
- Conditional Use Permit, Sec. 20-0909
- Customer cap
- 4/day, 12/week, 7am-9pm only
- Permit lifespan
- Ends automatically upon property sale
Summary
Fargo's zoning code lists dog grooming among home occupations that are prohibited outright, unless the business is small enough to qualify as a Minor Home Occupation and gets a Conditional Use Permit.
Animal care or boarding facilities are not allowed as home occupations. This includes animal hospitals, kennels, stables and all other types of animal boarding and care facilities. Dog grooming services are also included as prohibited animal care or boarding facilities; however, to the extent such services would otherwise qualify as a Minor Home Occupation, dog grooming services may be allowed upon application as provided in paragraph 2, regarding Minor Home Occupations, above. In no event may dog grooming be allowed as a Major Home Occupation.e.Adult Establishments Adult establishments as defined in Sec. 20-1202 are not allowed as a home occupation.6.Signs No more than one sign shall be allowed on the site of a home occupation. The maximum size of the sign shall be one square foot. It may not be illuminated, and it must be attached to the dwelling unit.7.Outdoor Activities All activities and storage areas must be conducted in completely enclosed structures.8.Exterior Appearance
Full Breakdown
Fargo's Land Development Code flatly bars 'Animal Care, Grooming, or Boarding Facilities' as home occupations. Dog grooming gets one narrow escape: if it fits Minor Home Occupation limits, 25% max floor area, no employees, up to 4 customers a day (12 a week), only 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., one customer on site at a time, the owner can apply for a Conditional Use Permit under Sec. 20-0909. That permit automatically ends if the property is sold. Dog grooming can never qualify as a Major Home Occupation.
Violations & Fines
Running a dog grooming business from a home without qualifying as a Minor Home Occupation and securing a Conditional Use Permit is a Land Development Code violation, prosecuted as an infraction with fines up to $1,000; each day counts separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a dog grooming business out of my Fargo home?
What happens to the permit if I sell my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
Compare Fargo to another location·View the North Dakota animal ordinances overview
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