Fargo, ND Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2102 gives the board of city commissioners the power to establish and designate residential areas, or parts of them, as residential permit parking districts. The board acts by resolution. Inside a district, on-street parking may be limited or restricted to certain locations, hours, times and/or types of motor vehicles, as the rest of the article provides. The section's source note traces it to 4538 (2006).

A Fargo district does not have to be permanent. § 8-2102 lets the board designate an area for a specified period of time, after which the district shall lapse and be of no further force or effect.

The process starts with residents. Owners of more than 50% of the properties in the proposed area must sign a petition to the city engineer, and the petition carries a $50 filing fee. The city engineer investigates and holds a neighborhood meeting, and a public hearing comes before the board of city commissioners votes. Fargo's districts are aimed at streets where nonresident parking and parking tied to rental conversions overwhelm the curb.

Once a district exists, on-street parking in its "permit only" zones is restricted to permit holders during the posted hours. A block cannot be reserved entirely for permit holders. Each block must still keep at least 4 spaces or 25% as "no permit required."

Permits follow a fixed calendar. They cost $20 initially, run July 1 to June 30, and renew for $10. Each property is limited to a maximum of 2 permits.

Some vehicles do not need a Fargo residential parking permit at all: emergency vehicles, marked delivery vehicles, and vehicles with a valid state mobility-impaired permit or plate.