Cass County, ND Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinance
- #2016-1, county manual §38.29
- Applies to
- Construction sites and undeveloped lots
- Excludes
- Fargo and West Fargo city limits
- Civil penalty
- $80/day, capped at $4,000/year
Summary
Cass County requires construction sites and undeveloped lots to control noxious weeds under Ordinance #2016-1, with landowners subject to civil penalties up to $80 per day, capped at $4,000 annually, for violations.
The purpose of this policy is to enforce the control of noxious weeds on residential, commercial/industrial construction sites and undeveloped lots within the county... Civil penalty: Failure to control noxious weeds on a construction site or undeveloped lot, the landowner is subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed eighty dollars per day for each day of violation, subject to a maximum penalty of four thousand dollars per year.
Full Breakdown
Cass County's Ordinance #2016-1, adopted July 5, 2016 as manual section 38.29, requires anyone developing or building on a residential, commercial or industrial construction site, or holding an undeveloped lot in unincorporated Cass County, to submit a weed management plan to the county weed officer describing how noxious weeds will be controlled. Noxious weeds are those on North Dakota's statutory list under N.D.C.C. ch. 4.1-47. Landowners who fail to control noxious weeds face a civil penalty of up to $80 per day, capped at $4,000 per year, which becomes a lien against the property. Fargo and West Fargo are excluded.
Violations & Fines
Civil penalty up to $80 per day per violation, capped at $4,000 annually; unpaid penalties become a lien against the property under N.D.C.C. 4.1-47-31.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this weed ordinance apply inside Fargo or West Fargo?
What weeds count as 'noxious' under the ordinance?
Who receives the required weed management plan?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cass County
Compare Cass County to another location·View the North Dakota invasive plant rules overview
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