Fargo, ND Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing official
- Fargo building official, Inspections Department
- Rental certificate required
- any unit occupied by non-owner
- Certificate voids on
- transfer of property title
- Governing code
- 2024 International Property Maintenance Code
- Revocation grounds
- issued in error, false info, or violation
Summary
Fargo's Inspections Department must inspect a building and find no code violations before the building official issues a certificate of occupancy, which can later be suspended or revoked.
105.9 Certificate issued. After the building official inspects the building or structure and does not find violations of the provisions of this code or other laws that are enforced by the department, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy containing the following: ...4.A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of this code.
Full Breakdown
The Fargo Inspections Department, headed by the building official, enforces the city's building and property maintenance codes. Before any certificate of occupancy issues, the building official must inspect the structure and confirm it has no violations of the code or other enforced laws. The certificate must list the address, owner, portion of the structure covered, an inspection-compliance statement, the code edition, and sprinkler-system status. Rental units occupied by anyone other than the owner need a separate secondary certificate, which becomes void the moment the property's title transfers and must be reissued for the new owner.
Violations & Fines
Occupying a rental unit without a valid secondary certificate, or continuing to occupy after the building official revokes one for a code violation or false information, exposes the owner to code enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fargo require an inspection before issuing a certificate of occupancy?
Do rental properties in Fargo need their own certificate of occupancy?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
Compare Fargo to another location·View the North Dakota building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.