Business Licensing & Operations in North Dakota (2026)
10 rules on the books across North Dakota, 2 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Adult Entertainment
Zoning and licensing rules for adult entertainment establishments under LAMC §12.70, including distance buffers from schools, churches, and residential zones.
Massage Establishments
Licensing requirements for massage businesses under LAMC §103.205 and CAMTC certification, including operator background checks and zoning conditions.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Health Department permits and city licensing for tattoo and piercing studios, including bloodborne-pathogen training and inspection requirements.
Cass County
Significant RestrictionsCass County requires a health department permit to run a tattoo or piercing shop, renewed every December 31, with…
Read full rule →Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo requires every tattoo, piercing, and body art shop to hold an annual license from Fargo Cass Public Health before…
Read full rule →Tobacco Retail License
The local license required to sell tobacco and vape products, the conduct rules attached to it, flavored-product bans, self-service and age limits, and the zoning that applies to smoke shops.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsNorth Dakota requires vape and tobacco retailers to hold a tobacco dealer's license from the Office of the State Tax…
Read full rule →Fargo
Heavy RestrictionsVape shops in Fargo must follow the state Tobacco 21 law and the Fargo Smoke-Free Ordinance Chapter 23-1011, which bans…
Read full rule →Secondhand Dealers
LAMC §21.12 + CA Bus & Prof Code requirements for secondhand dealers, including item-reporting to law enforcement and 30-day holding periods.
Pawnbrokers
State and city pawnbroker licensing, item-holding periods, interest-rate caps, and the LAPD-monitored CalGang/CAPSS reporting system.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Whether commercial auto repair is permitted on residential property under LAMC §12.17.3, exemptions for occasional personal repair, and complaint enforcement.
Towing Companies
Permits, fee caps, and notification requirements for tow companies operating in the city, including official police-rotation tow contracts.