Animal Ordinances in Fargo, ND (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Fargo, North Dakota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Fargo bans keeping horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and swine within city limits unless the property is zoned AG-Agricultural District.
Farm Animals Banned Outside AG Zone in Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0203
It shall be unlawful for the owner or owners of any farm animal mentioned in § 12-0213 to allow the same to be kept within the limits of the city, except that such farm animals may be kept on property which is classified as "AG-Agricultural District" under the Land Development Code (Fargo Municipal Code, Chapter 20) of the city of Fargo. It shall further be unlawful to allow any such farm anima...
Dog Leash Laws
Fargo requires dogs off their owner's property to be on a leash no longer than six feet, or the owner faces a running-at-large violation.
Fargo Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0105(A)
Every person having the custody or control of any dog or cat shall prevent said animal from leaving the property limits of its owner or keeper without being effectively restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length, or, within a vehicle being driven or parked on the street. In the event any such dog or cat is found at large, the owner, custodian or keeper of such animal shall ...
Breed Restrictions
Fargo has no breed-specific ban: any dog can be declared potentially dangerous or dangerous based on its own conduct, triggering registration, insurance, and control rules.
Fargo Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0117(A)
Any dog inside the City of Fargo may be designated as a potentially dangerous dog if the dog: a. When unprovoked, bites a human or domestic animal on public or private property; b. When unprovoked, chases or approaches a person, including a person on a bicycle, upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public or private property, other than the dog owner's property, in an apparent attitude of att...
Exotic Pets
Fargo prohibits keeping monkeys, wolves, big cats, poisonous snakes, and other wild or exotic animals as pets or for display anywhere in the city.
Fargo Bans Keeping Wild or Exotic Animals
Heavy RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0218
No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild or exotic animal as a pet. ... "Wild" or "exotic animal" shall mean any live monkey (non-human primate), raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other warm-blooded animal, poisonous snake or tarantula which can normally be found in the wild state or any other member of crocodilian, including but not limit...
Wildlife Feeding
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.
Fargo Bans Feeding Deer Citywide
Heavy RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0219
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 foo...
Pet Limits
Fargo households may keep no more than six dogs and cats combined per dwelling, with a police-permit exception for approved rescue homes.
Fargo Caps Dogs and Cats at Six
Some RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0116
It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor, own, or in any way possess more than six dogs and cats over six months of age upon or about the premises of any dwelling unit, within the corporate limits of the City of Fargo. The maximum number of dogs and cats, combined, may not exceed six.B.Exception - A person may request a permit from the Fargo Police Department to keep more than six dogs and cats as ...
Cat Rules
Fargo requires every cat over four months old to be licensed and kept off its owner's property only on a leash. Loose cats found at large are impounded and owners pay to reclaim them.
Fargo Bans Cats Running at Large
Some RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0105(A)
Every person having the custody or control of any dog or cat shall prevent said animal from leaving the property limits of its owner or keeper without being effectively restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length, or, within a vehicle being driven or parked on the street. In the event any such dog or cat is found at large, the owner, custodian or keeper of such animal shall ...
Microchipping
Fargo does not require microchipping for pets generally. A dog is only required to be microchipped once a court designates it dangerous or potentially dangerous and it must be registered with police.
Microchip Required Only for Dangerous Dogs in Fargo
Light RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0117(C)(1)
If a dog is deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous, the dog shall be registered with the City of Fargo Police Department. The application to register the dog...shall, at a minimum, include:a.The owner's full name, home address, and telephone number;b.Proof of the implanted microchip identification number;c.Proof of a current City of Fargo animal license;d.Dog's name, breed, and age;e.Current...
Coyote Management
Fargo bans feeding deer within city limits and runs an annual archery-based Wildlife Management Program, set by the board of city commissioners, to control the urban deer population.
Fargo Bans Deer Feeding, Runs Archery Cull
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0219
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 foo...
Pet Store Rules
Fargo lets pet stores sell dogs, cats, and other animals, there's no adoption-only mandate, but every pet store needs an annual license from the city auditor and health department inspection first.
Fargo Pet Stores Must Get a License
Some RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 13-1202
It shall be unlawful to operate a pet store unless a license is first obtained from the city auditor. No artificially colored birds or animals shall be sold or displayed by any person at any time.
Pet Groomer Rules
Fargo's zoning code lists dog grooming among home occupations that are prohibited outright, unless the business is small enough to qualify as a Minor Home Occupation and gets a Conditional Use Permit.
Fargo Restricts Home Dog Grooming Businesses
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 20-0403(C)(5)(d)
Animal care or boarding facilities are not allowed as home occupations. This includes animal hospitals, kennels, stables and all other types of animal boarding and care facilities. Dog grooming services are also included as prohibited animal care or boarding facilities; however, to the extent such services would otherwise qualify as a Minor Home Occupation, dog grooming services may be allowed ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Fargo zoning bars animal hospitals, kennels, stables, and other animal care or boarding facilities from operating as home occupations in any residential zoning district, with no conditional-use exception available for veterinary practices.
Fargo Bans Home-Based Veterinary Clinics
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 20-0403(C)(5)(d)
Animal care or boarding facilities are not allowed as home occupations. This includes animal hospitals, kennels, stables and all other types of animal boarding and care facilities. Dog grooming services are also included as prohibited animal care or boarding facilities; however, to the extent such services would otherwise qualify as a Minor Home Occupation, dog grooming services may be allowed ...
Bird Protection
Fargo makes it unlawful to kill, injure, or attempt to kill or injure any harmless wild bird within city limits, or to destroy their eggs or nests, unless otherwise permitted by law.
Fargo Bans Killing Harmless Wild Birds
Heavy RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 12-0305
Unless otherwise permitted by law, it shall be unlawful for any person to kill or injure or attempt to kill or injure any harmless wild bird as defined in 20.1-01-02, N.D.C.C., within the corporate limits of the city or to injure or destroy the eggs or nest of any such bird within said corporate limits.
Looking for Cass County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fargo city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Cass County →