Fargo, ND Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited act
- Feeding deer anywhere in city
- Feeding threshold
- 1/2 cubic foot or more
- Height rule
- On ground or below 5 feet
- Exempt
- Vets, animal control, park staff, game officials
- Not feeding
- Live fruit trees and vegetation
Summary
Fargo prohibits feeding deer anywhere within city limits, defining feeding as leaving out a half cubic foot or more of grain, produce, or other edible material that regularly attracts deer.
No person shall feed or allow the feeding of any deer within the city limits of the city of Fargo. For purposes of this section, feeding shall mean the provision of one-half cubic foot or more of grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, or other edible material, either on the ground or at a height of less than five feet above the ground, in a manner that attracts deer on a regular basis. Living food sources such as fruit trees and other live vegetation shall not be considered as deer feeding. This prohibition shall not apply to veterinarians, city animal control officers, and park maintenance staff, or county, state or federal game officials who, in the course of their duties, have deer in their custody or under their management.
Source: 4505 (2006).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 12-0219 makes it unlawful to feed or allow the feeding of any deer within Fargo's city limits. The ordinance defines feeding as putting out one-half cubic foot or more of grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, or other edible material, on the ground or below five feet, in a way that draws deer regularly. Live plants and fruit trees don't count. Veterinarians, city animal control officers, park maintenance staff, and county, state, or federal game officials are exempt while managing deer in their custody.
Violations & Fines
Violating the deer-feeding ban is an infraction under Fargo's default ordinance classification (§ 1-0305(B)), the same category used for city code violations without a specific listed penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put out corn for deer in my backyard?
Does landscaping with fruit trees count as feeding deer?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
Compare Fargo to another location·View the North Dakota animal ordinances overview
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