Fargo, ND Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- 8 inches
- Enforcer
- Health department
- Fine
- Up to $1,000/day
- Exception
- Land management plan permit
- Applies to
- Private lots and rights-of-way
Summary
Fargo law caps grass and weed growth at eight inches on private lots, alleys, and street rights-of-way, with the health department empowered to mow noncompliant properties and bill the owner for the cost.
No stagnant water shall be allowed to stand or remain, noxious or other weeds, or grass allowed to grow more than eight inches (8") in length upon or along the line of any railroad, street, highway, alley, public place, along or upon any vacant or other lot or real estate parcel, public or private, or other place within the city. For purposes of this article, "noxious weeds" shall mean any species of plant or vegetation recognized by the North Dakota State Weed Board as a noxious weed.
Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 11-0801, 2512 (1990), 4533 (2006), 5143 (2018).
Full Breakdown
Fargo Municipal Code § 11-0805 bars grass or weeds from growing past eight inches in length on any lot, street, alley, or railroad right-of-way, public or private. Section 11-0806 places the same eight-inch duty directly on property owners, occupants, and anyone in control of the land. If an owner ignores a health-department notice issued under § 11-0807, the city may cut the grass itself and charge the cost back to the property. Owners wanting taller natural landscaping, such as prairie plantings, can apply for a land management plan permit under §§ 11-0808–11-0809 that exempts the approved area from the eight-inch cap.
Violations & Fines
Violating Article 11-08 is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 per § 11-0821, and each day the grass stays overgrown counts as a separate offense; abatement costs the city incurs mowing the lot become a special assessment against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I let part of my Fargo yard grow wild?
What happens if I ignore a mow notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
How Fargo compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Fargo to another location·View the North Dakota landscaping rules overview
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