Fargo, ND Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing article
- Fargo Municipal Code Art. 21-04
- Notice period to comply
- Up to 30 days
- Board action after notice
- 10 days, then city acts
- Max fine per offense
- $100 per day
- 50%+ damaged buildings
- Must be demolished
Summary
Fargo can order a dangerous, dilapidated, or unsafe building repaired, vacated, or demolished, with costs assessed against the property if the owner fails to act.
All buildings or structures which have any or all of the following defects shall be deemed "dangerous buildings": ... Those which have become, or are, so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe or unsanitary ... that they are unfit for human habitation or are likely to cause or aggravate sickness or disease... In any case where a "dangerous building" is 50% damaged, decayed, or deteriorated from its original value or structure, it shall be demolished.
Full Breakdown
Under Fargo Municipal Code Article 21-04, the building inspector semiannually inspects public and commercial buildings for dangerous-building conditions and investigates complaints. An owner found in violation gets written notice by certified mail giving up to 30 days to repair, vacate, or demolish. If the owner ignores the board of city commissioners' order within 10 days after a hearing, the city does the work itself and assesses the cost back against the property, or sues the owner for the cost.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with a repair, vacate, or demolish order is a misdemeanor, fined up to $100, with each additional noncompliant day counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides a building is 'dangerous' in Fargo?
What happens if I ignore the city's order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
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