Fargo, ND Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- SR-0 / SR-1 max coverage
- 25% of lot
- SR-5 max coverage
- 50% of lot
- UMU district max coverage
- 75% of lot
- DMU district max coverage
- 100% (no cap)
- MR districts max coverage
- 35%, or 37.5% with amenity
Summary
Fargo caps building coverage by zoning district, from 25% of lot area in SR-0/SR-1 single-family zones up to 75% in mixed-use UMU and 100% in downtown DMU under the Land Development Code's dimensional standards table.
AG SR-0 SR-1 SR-2 SR-3 SR-4 SR-5 [9] MR-1 MR-2 MR-3 UMU Maximum/Minimum Density (UPA - Units per Acre) 0.1 Max. 1.0 Max. 2.9 Max. 5.4 Max. 8.7 Max. 12.1 Max. 14.5 Max. 16.0 Max. 20.0 Max. 24.0 [1] Max. 18.0 Min. Minimum Lot Size Area (Sq. Ft.) 10 Ac 1 Ac [2] 15,000 8,000 5,000 3,600 3,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 2,420 Width (Ft.) 200 120 80 60 50 [3] 34 [3] 25 50 [3] 50 [3] 50 [3] 50 [3] Minimum Setbacks(Ft.) Front 50 [4] 50 35 30 20 15 [5] 15 [5] 25 25 25 10 Interior Side [6] 25 25 15%/15 10%/5 10%/5 4 4 15%/25 15%/25 10 5 Street Side 25 [7] 25 17.5 15 12.5 10 10 12.5 12.5 12.5 10 Rear 50 50 25 25 15 15 15 20 20 20 15 Watercourse Setback [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] Max. Building Coverage (Pct. of Lot) NA 25 25 35 40 45 50 35 [8] 35 [8] 35 [8] 75 Minimum Open Space(Pct. of Lot) NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 35 35 35 NA Maximum Height (Ft.) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 45 60 60
Source: 2985 (1999), 3062 (1999), 4039 (2000), 4165 (2001), 4338(2003), 4695 (2009), 4818 (2012), 5091 (2017).
[1] Higher densities may be allowed in accordance with the Bonus Density provisions of Sec. 20-0505.
[2] SR-0 minimum district size is 20 acres. See Sec. 20-0203-A.
[3] Minimum lot width subject to limitation of access as provided in Sec. 20-0702.
[4] Minimum 100 feet from right-of-way on Arterial or section line road.
[5] Minimum 20-foot setback shall be provided between front-entry garages and nearest edge of sidewalk crossing plate.
Full Breakdown
The Land Development Code's dimensional standards tables set maximum building coverage as a percentage of lot area for every zoning district. Single-family districts range from 25% (SR-0, SR-1) up to 50% (SR-5); multi-dwelling MR districts cap at 35%, rising to 37.5% if a shared site amenity like a playground or pool is included per Sec. 20-0403.B.7. Mixed-use UMU allows 75%, and nonresidential districts run from 55% (Limited Commercial) to 100% in Downtown Mixed-Use. The Zoning Administrator checks compliance at building permit review; accessory structures count toward the total.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the coverage cap without a variance blocks the building permit; the Inspections Administrator can red-tag construction that violates the approved site plan until it's brought into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts toward lot coverage in Fargo?
Can I exceed my district's coverage cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
Compare Fargo to another location·View the North Dakota building setbacks & zoning overview
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