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1. Can I have my business equipment at my home?

Home occupation is allowed, but all equipment associated with the business must be stored indoors and can’t be visible in the yards or outdoors.

Ordinance 4-448 (PDF).

2. How do I request City water or sewer services to be installed at my property?

City standards for service can be viewed under the Sewer and Water Services city ordinances (Chapter 9). 

To officially request services you can use the standard Request for Improvements form as a guideline. Residents can submit their request for improvement to the City Administrator.

For questions regarding the ordinances or submitting a request, please contact the City Administrator.

3. What should I do if I have a drainage problem in my backyard?

Legally, the City of West Fargo has no jurisdiction in rear-yard drainage issues. Only certain catch basins within City easements can be addressed. If there is a problem at a catch basin, contact the Public Works department. For other drainage issues, such as excess fill or other blockages, the first course of action is to contact your neighbors.

The City Engineer can help mediate in backyard drainage problems, such as providing recommendations to help rectify or improve the situation, but cannot make enforceable decisions.

4. Who do I contact if I have a question about a current city construction project?

If you have any questions or concerns with a current city construction project please visit westfargostreets.com or contact the public works department.

810 12th Ave. NW

West Fargo, ND 58078

Phone: 701-515-5400

Email

Engineering Department.

5. When do I need a building permit?

Permits are required for additions, decks, porches, finishing basements, replacing doors & windows of different sizes, interior renovations or repair that include structural modifications, demolition work, accessory structures, swimming pools and re-siding. All HVAC systems require permits, including all gas appliances & equipment, wood stoves, etc. A building permit and/or a zoning permit may be required when a building use is changed.

Separate plumbing and electrical systems permits are required for the installation, alteration, relocation, replacement, or addition to any wiring, piping, or equipment or appliances associated with those systems.

Electrical permits are issued and inspections are performed by the North Dakota State Electrical Board (701) 499-1549. 

Plumbing permits are issued and inspections are performed by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board (701) 799-1555. 

Permits are not required to paint a house (interior or exterior), hang wallpaper, replace cabinets and do similar finish work. Permits are also not required to build an accessory building having a floor area of 120 square feet or less, install concrete sidewalks and patios entirely on your property. Finally, permits are not required to insulate an existing building where no structural changes are made.

If you have questions about whether you need a permit for the project you have in mind or to see if it meets zoning requirements, contact the Building department.

6. Do vacant buildings need to be secured and registered with the City?

All vacant buildings must be secured/boarded and then registered with the city if it meets the criteria. Buildings can be registered using our Vacant Building Registration Form. Once filled out the city will contact the owner to complete the registration process and fees.

Ordinance 5-1000 (PDF).

7. Where is the Renaissance Zone located?

The West Fargo Renaissance Zone was created in 2000 to spur private sector reinvestment in downtown and increase the overall vitality of the once central business district. The Renaissance Zone encompasses a twenty (20) block area primarily located on the Sheyenne Street, Center Street and Main Avenue Corridors. The Renaissance Zone boundary was selected because of the deteriorating building conditions and weakened tax base within the core area of West Fargo. This core area has seen the recent relocation of business activity move to the 13th Avenue East and 9th Street East corridor. 

To learn more about the City of West Fargo's Renaissance Zones, visit https://www.westfargond.gov/295/Renaissance-Zone.