Landscaping Rules in Fargo, ND

If you live in Fargo or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Fargo has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Tree Trimming

Fargo Municipal Code § 19-0202 requires owners of property adjoining public rights-of-way to keep trees, shrubs, and vegetation pruned so they don't interfere with travel on streets, avenues, alleys, and sidewalks.

Key details: Private-side duty: Owners must prune overhanging vegetation. Enforcing office: City Forester, Dept. of Forestry. Public tree work: Written permit required (§ 19-0203). Max fine: $1,000 per infraction. Unpaid abatement cost: Becomes a lien on property.

Violating Chapter 19 is an infraction (§ 19-0304), punishable by a fine up to $1,000 under § 1-0301(B). If an owner ignores a nuisance notice, the city forester can remove or treat the vegetation and assess the cost as a lien on the property.

Composting

Fargo allows backyard compost piles as an exception to its rubbish-nuisance ban, but only if the pile is properly contained and doesn't turn into a health nuisance.

Key details: Governing rule: § 11-0801, environmental nuisances. Composting allowed: Yes, if properly contained. Enforcement trigger: Health officer nuisance finding. Fixed bin specs: None specified in code.

An uncontained or neglected pile can be declared a nuisance by the health officer and ordered abated like any other rubbish violation under Article 11-08.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Fargo gives residents more flexibility on composting.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Fargo requires a written permit from the city forester before anyone plants, removes, cuts, or prunes any tree or shrub within a street, alley, boulevard, or public right-of-way, with violations treated as infractions.

Key details: Permit required for: Planting, removing, pruning public trees. Issuing authority: City forester, Forestry Department. Permit fee: None: free application. Max fine: $1,000 per infraction. Unauthorized removal liability: Tree's full appraised value.

Infraction under § 19-0304, punishable by a fine up to $1,000 under § 1-0301(B); the city forester can also remove the tree and assess the cost as a property lien, plus the appraised-value charge for unauthorized removals.

Weed Ordinances

Fargo law caps grass and weed growth at eight inches on private lots, alleys, and street rights-of-way, with the health department empowered to mow noncompliant properties and bill the owner for the cost.

Key details: Max height: 8 inches. Enforcer: Health department. Fine: Up to $1,000/day. Exception: Land management plan permit. Applies to: Private lots and rights-of-way.

Violating Article 11-08 is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 per § 11-0821, and each day the grass stays overgrown counts as a separate offense; abatement costs the city incurs mowing the lot become a special assessment against the property.

Water Restrictions

Fargo's water department can impose a lawn and garden irrigation schedule once the city commission declares a drought severity phase, under regulations issued by the enterprise director.

Key details: Authority: Board of city commissioners declares drought phase. Trigger system: Five-tier drought severity phase scale. Enforcement: Enterprise director; water shutoff, civil fines. Default status: Phase I Normal unless declared otherwise. Sprinkler shutoff: Also allowed anytime under § 16-0507.

Violating an active watering schedule or shutoff order is a municipal offense; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense, and the city can shut off water service or issue civil fines via administrative order (§§ 16-0904, 16-0909, 16-0910).

The Bottom Line

Fargo's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Fargo is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Fargo's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.