Fargo, ND Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Fargo Municipal Code Art. 10-14
- Vacate notice period
- 48 hours
- Property storage hold
- 60 days
- Enacted
- Ordinance 5450 (2024)
- Charge level
- Infraction
Summary
Fargo prohibits camping or setting up a campsite on any public property, with a 48-hour vacate notice before crews remove the site as a public nuisance.
No person may camp or establish any campsite in or upon any public property except as expressly authorized by this Article 10-14 or by Resolution of the Board of City Commissioners of the city of Fargo.
Source: 5450 (2024).
10-1403. - Removal of a campsite. 1.Any person camping unlawfully shall vacate and remove all belongings from the public property within forty-eight (48) hours of receiving notice to vacate from an enforcement officer.2.After notice has been given to vacate a campsite and the allotted time has expired, the City or its contractor shall remove the campsite, all camp facilities and camp paraphernalia as the same has been deemed a public nuisance.(a)All unclaimed personal property with apparent value or utility will be stored for 60 days as required by Fargo Municipal Code § 28-0101.(b)All unclaimed items that have no apparent utility or value, are in an unsanitary condition, or present an immediate hazard or danger, may be immediately discarded upon removal of individuals from the campsite.(c)Any personal property that remains unclaimed for 60 days after the campsite cleanup may be disposed of in accordance with Fargo Municipal Code § 28-0101.(d)Weapons, drug paraphernalia, and items which reasonably appear to be evidence of a crime may be retained and/or disposed of by the police department in accordance with the department's written policies and procedures. Source: 5450 (2024).
Full Breakdown
Fargo Municipal Code § 10-1402 makes it unlawful to camp or establish a campsite on public property, including parks and public rights-of-way, unless expressly authorized by Article 10-14 or a Board of City Commissioners resolution. Under § 10-1403, anyone camping unlawfully must vacate and remove belongings within 48 hours of a notice to vacate from an enforcement officer. Once that window lapses, the City or its contractor removes the campsite, tents, and gear as a public nuisance. Valuable unclaimed property is stored 60 days per § 28-0101; unsanitary or hazardous items may be discarded immediately, and weapons, drug paraphernalia, or suspected evidence go to police for handling under department policy.
Violations & Fines
Violating Article 10-14 is charged as an infraction, on top of any other applicable Fargo Municipal Code or North Dakota Century Code violations. The campsite itself is also treated as a public nuisance subject to abatement, and the City's remedies under the article are non-exclusive, so multiple enforcement actions can stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can police remove a Fargo campsite immediately?
What happens to belongings left at a cleared campsite?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
Compare Fargo to another location·View the North Dakota homelessness & encampment rules overview
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