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Fargo, ND Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

SR-1 front setback
35 feet
SR-1 rear setback
25 feet
SR-1 interior side
15% of width or 15 ft
Accessory structure rear setback
3 feet
Governing table
Table 20-0501

Summary

Fargo's Land Development Code sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks for every residential zoning district, ranging from 50 feet in AG and SR-0 down to 10 feet in UMU, under Table 20-0501.

The dimensional standards of Table 20-0501 apply to all development in MR-3 and more restrictive zoning districts. ... 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

View official code

Full Breakdown

Fargo's zoning code (Sec. 20-0501, Table 20-0501) sets a minimum front setback of 35 feet, rear setback of 25 feet, and interior side setback of 15 percent of lot width or 15 feet (whichever is less) for the standard SR-1 single-family district; requirements shrink through SR-2 to SR-5 and tighten again for multi-family and mixed-use zones. Detached accessory structures in a rear yard get a reduced 3-foot setback from rear and interior side lot lines under Sec. 20-0403. The Zoning Administrator enforces setbacks through the building permit review process, and a permit application that doesn't meet the applicable table won't be approved.

Violations & Fines

Building within the required setback without approval violates the Land Development Code; the city can deny or revoke the building permit and require the structure be moved or removed. Code violations are prosecuted as infractions or Class B misdemeanors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far must a house sit from the front property line in Fargo?
It depends on zoning district; in the standard SR-1 single-family district it's 35 feet, per Table 20-0501 of the Land Development Code.
Can a detached garage sit closer to the rear lot line than the house?
Yes. Detached accessory structures in a rear yard need only a 3-foot setback from rear and interior side lot lines under Sec. 20-0403.

Sources & Official References

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All Fargo rules

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