Fargo, ND Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Penalty
- $150.00 flat fee
- Citation
- § 11-0814
- Classification
- Noncriminal offense, § 1-0305(C)(9)
- Covers
- Litter, garbage, furniture, debris
Summary
Dumping litter, garbage, furniture, or debris on public or private property you don't own is banned citywide, backed by a flat $150 fee under Fargo's municipal code.
No person may discard or abandon any litter, garbage, furniture, or other debris upon public or private property not owned by that person, unless the property is designated for the disposal of such items and that person is authorized to use the property for that purpose. For purposes of this section, litter shall include any rubbish, junk, refuse, or waste of any kind.
Full Breakdown
Fargo Municipal Code § 11-0814 bans discarding or abandoning litter, garbage, furniture, or other debris on any public or private property you don't own, unless that property is a designated disposal site you're authorized to use. The section defines litter broadly to include rubbish, junk, refuse, or waste of any kind. Unlike most Article 11-08 violations, which carry misdemeanor-style fines up to $1,000 under § 11-0821, a § 11-0814 violation is a noncriminal offense billed at a flat $150.00 fee under the city's ordinance-violation fee schedule, § 1-0305(C)(9).
Violations & Fines
A violation is a noncriminal offense billed as a flat $150.00 fee under § 1-0305(C)(9), separate from the up-to-$1,000 fine that applies to other Article 11-08 littering and nuisance violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on someone else's property illegal in Fargo?
What's the fine for illegal dumping in Fargo?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fargo
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