Business Licensing & Operations in Fargo, ND (2026)
8 verified business licensing & operations rules for Fargo, North Dakota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Fargo requires adult establishments to sit 1,250 feet from schools, parks, and residential zones, and 750 feet from each other.
Adult Business Spacing Rules in Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 20-0402.A
An adult establishment shall not be located within 1,250 feet of any religious institution, school, park or recreation facility (bike paths excluded), SR zoning district, MR zoning district or residential planned unit development. ... shall not be located within 1,250 feet of any establishment that dispenses alcohol on-premises ... shall not be located within 750 feet of any other adult establi...
Massage Establishments
Fargo requires massage therapy establishments to hold an annual license from Fargo Cass Public Health, with a police background investigation and Class B misdemeanor penalties for unlicensed operation.
Massage Establishment License Required in Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 13-1802
No person shall operate a massage therapy establishment without first applying for and obtaining a license issued by the public health department. The license shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of this article and any other approved regulations as provided in this article. The initial application for a license shall extend from the date of issuance until year-end. Thereafter, the ...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Fargo requires every tattoo, piercing, and body art shop to hold an annual license from Fargo Cass Public Health before opening.
Fargo Tattoo and Body Art License
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 25-3302
It shall be unlawful to operate a body art establishment unless a license is first obtained from the department. ... nor to individuals who pierce only the non-cartilaginous perimeter and lobe of the ear with a presterilized single-use stud-and-clasp ear-piercing system are exempt from these regulations.
Tobacco Retail License
Vape shops in Fargo must follow the state Tobacco 21 law and the Fargo Smoke-Free Ordinance Chapter 23-1011, which bans vaping in indoor workplaces and most public places along with traditional smoking.
Fargo vape retail and smoke-free rules
Heavy RestrictionsN.D. Cent. Code 12.1-31-03
12.1-31-03. Sale of tobacco, electronic smoking devices, or alternative nicotine products to an individual under twenty-one years of age... 1. a. It is an infraction for any person to sell or furnish to an individual under twenty-one years of age... cigarettes, cigarette papers, cigars, snuff, tobacco in any other form... electronic smoking devices, or alternative nicotine products. As used in ...
Secondhand Dealers
Fargo requires anyone buying, trading, or selling secondhand goods for profit to hold a city license, post a $5,000 bond, and report every purchase to police through the LEADS system.
Secondhand Dealer License Required in Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 25-3502
No person shall engage in business as a secondhand dealer unless said person has a fixed premises where said business is conducted, either on a continuing basis or from time to time, and unless said person has first obtained a license to engage in that business at that premises. A separate license is required for each place of business. The city may issue more than one license to a person if th...
Pawnbrokers
Fargo requires anyone operating a pawn shop to hold a city license tied to a fixed business location, backed by a $5,000 bond and a police background check.
Fargo Pawnbroker License Required
Significant RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 25-1002
No person shall engage in business as a pawnbroker unless said person has a fixed premises where said business is conducted, either on a continuing basis or from time to time, and unless said person has first obtained a license to engage in that business at that premises. A separate license is required for each place of business. The city may issue more than one license to a person if the perso...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Fargo's Land Development Code flatly prohibits vehicle and engine repair as a home occupation, even as a small side business run from a garage.
Fargo Bans Home Auto Repair Businesses
Heavy RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 20-0403.C.5.a
Vehicle and Large Equipment Repair. Any type of repair or assembly of vehicles or equipment with internal combustion engines (such as autos, motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, outboard marine engines, lawn mowers, chain saws, and other small engines) or of large appliances (such as washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators) or any other work related to automobiles and their parts is prohibited.
Towing Companies
Any commercial towing service that tows and stores an abandoned vehicle in Fargo must notify police within 12 hours or forfeit storage fees and return the vehicle free.
Fargo Towing Companies Must Notify Police in 12 Hours
Some RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 11-0404(C)-(D)
Subject to the exception in Fargo Municipal Code § 11-0403, a commercial towing service shall provide notice to the police department within twelve hours after completing the tow. The notice must include the following:1.The license plate number and state of registration,2.The location from which the abandoned motor vehicle was towed,3.The location to which the abandoned motor vehicle was towed ...
Looking for Cass County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fargo city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Cass County →