For AI agents: read the machine-readable documentation index at /llms.txt or the single-file full reference at /llms-full.txt.
Form a Business

RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAMS

Fargo Municipal Code ch. 8, art. 8-21
in effect

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2101 Declaration of public policy and purpose.

8-2101 - Declaration of public policy and purpose. The board of city commissioners finds that there are residential areas within the city of Fargo that are adjacent to or very near intense nonresidential uses that generate a significant demand for parking. The city commission finds that persons employed by or who are using those nonresidential facilities frequently park their vehicles on nearby residential streets and that, in addition, there are residential areas within the city that are negatively affected by the inappropriate conversion of single-detached owner-occupied housing to rental housing. The commission finds that excess parking demand is generated by these converted rental units because off-street parking for said units is often inadequate to address the needs of the number of residents living in the rental units. The commission finds that parking congestion threatens the general well-being of impacted neighborhoods. This parking ordinance regulating parking in designated residential areas is hereby established in order to protect the residents of such areas and neighborhoods from unreasonable burdens in obtaining parking near their residences and in gaining access to their residences, to preserve the character of such areas and neighborhoods as residential, to promote the efficiency of street maintenance in these areas, resulting in streets that are clean and in safe condition, to promote traffic safety and the peace, order, comfort, convenience and general welfare of the inhabitants of the affected neighborhoods and areas, to preserve the general health, safety and welfare of these residential areas and to encourage large employers, public and private institutions to make better use of public transportation to meet the peak hour commuting needs of their clients, employees, and or students. This ordinance is further established to address the parking congestion on residential streets caused by nonresident parkers and to address excess parking demand caused by the concentrated conversion of single family residential property to multiple occupancy rental property. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2102 Residential parking permit districts authorized.

8-2102. - Residential parking permit districts authorized. The board of city commissioners may by resolution establish and designate residential areas or parts thereof as residential permit parking districts. On-street parking may be limited or restricted in such areas to certain locations, hours, times and/or types of motor vehicles as may be further provided in this article. The board of city commissioners may designate such area for a specified period of time, after which time the district shall lapse and be of no further force or effect. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2103 Definitions.

8-2103. - Definitions. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply: A. "Block" - the length of street, including both sides thereof, existing between two other intersecting streets, or between an intersecting street and another point of termination such as a dead-end. B. Motor vehicle - a motor vehicle as defined by N.D.C.C. Section 39-01-01 that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds gross weight. C. Non-resident vehicle - motor vehicle parked in a residential parking permit program district by a person not residing within the district. D. Owner - the fee owner of the property. Where a property is held by multiple owners, the owner shall be the authorized person, firm or entity acting on behalf of a property. E. Property - a residential or non-residential building or structure located on one or more tax parcels. F. Resident - person who resides or works in the residential parking permit district. G. Resident vehicle - a motor vehicle owned or under the control of a resident. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2104 Establishing a residential parking permit program district.

8-2104. - Establishing a residential parking permit program district. The designation of a residential permit parking district shall be initiated by a petition filed with the city engineer. The petition must specify the problems being caused by nonresidential parking including identification of the times when parking demand is at its peak, the probable cause of the problems and the specific area being proposed to be restricted. The petition may identify a primary district where the parking problems predominate in addition to a buffer district. A filing fee of $50 shall accompany every petition. The petition shall be signed by the owners of property representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total properties within the proposed district. The petition shall contain the name and address of the signer, and the address of the property owned by the signer. By placing his signature on such a petition, a person is affirming that he is, in fact, the owner of the property in question or is the authorized representative of the owner. Each separate page of the petition shall have appended thereto a certificate, verified by oath, that each signature was signed by the person purporting to have signed the petition. The petition shall identify a resident within the proposed area who shall have the responsibility of verifying each separate page of signatures, as well as having the responsibility of assisting the city engineer in the investigation of the petition to implement a residential permit parking program in the proposed district. A petition may also be submitted by the city director of planning and development or the city engineer, which petition may be based upon documented problems or complaints in the area. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2105 Traffic engineer investigation of petition.

8-2105. - Traffic engineer investigation of petition. Upon receipt of a valid petition, the city engineer shall conduct an investigation to determine the feasibility of a residential permit parking program for the proposed area or alternatives to the proposed area. This investigation may include, but shall not be limited to observations, surveys, studies or any other data-gathering method which will assist the city traffic engineer in making a recommendation regarding the designation of a residential permit parking district. The city engineer shall hold at least one neighborhood meeting to guide the development of the proposed district, or an alternative district being considered by the city engineer, which outlines zone boundaries and recommended parking restrictions, as determined by the city engineer. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2106 Recommendation and review by committee.

8-2106. - Recommendation and review by committee. After completing the investigation, the city engineer shall submit the results of the investigation to a committee established or designated by resolution of the board of city commissioners and shall submit a recommendation for the designation or rejection of a specific residential permit parking district. If the city engineer recommends elements of a residential parking permit program or an area of such program that is different than the petition, the engineer shall submit a written proposal to the committee. The recommendation of the city engineer shall be considered at a public hearing before the committee, after public notice is given and an opportunity for written protest is given to owners in the proposed district. If there is filed with the city engineer written protest by owners of at least one-half of all the properties within the area proposed to be included in the district, the proposal shall be denied by the committee. If the written protest is less than one-half, then the committee shall make a recommendation to the board of city commissioners. The committee shall use the same factors to be used by the board of city commissioners in their decision and recommendation. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2107 Notices.

8-2107. - Notices. All notices required under this article must: (1) indicate the time and place of all scheduled public hearings; (2) describe the proposed area; (3) describe the nature, scope and purpose of the proposal; and (4) indicate the location and source of additional information on the proposal. A. Written notice. When written notice is required under this article, the official responsible for accepting the application shall provide written notice by first class mail to all owners of property within the proposed district. The notice shall be deposited in the U.S. mail at least 15 days before the first scheduled public hearing. Ownership information shall be obtained from the Cass County Assessor's Office. B. Published notice. When the provisions of this article require that notice be published in the newspaper, the official responsible for accepting the application shall ensure that notice is published in a newspaper of general circulation within the City at least once each week for 2 successive weeks preceding the date of the first scheduled public hearing. C. Constructive notice. Minor technical deviations from specified notice requirements shall not be deemed to impair notice where there is actual notice. When required written notices have been properly addressed and deposited in the mail, failure of a party to receive such notice shall not invalidate any subsequent action. In all cases, however, the requirements for the timing of the notice and for specifying the time, date and place of a hearing and the general location of the property shall be strictly construed. If questions arise at the hearing regarding the adequacy of notice, the body hearing the matter shall make a finding regarding whether there was compliance with the notice requirements of this article. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2108 Hearing before commission.

8-2108. - Hearing before commission. The board of city commissioners shall consider the recommendation of the designated or established committee at a hearing, after public notice is given. After the hearing, the board of city commissioners may approve the proposed residential parking permit district, after the board considers the following: A. That the proposal is consistent with the public policy and purpose of this parking ordinance and that there is a sufficient parking problem in the area to warrant the establishment of a district. B. That the proposed district consists of streets that are predominantly residential. C. That at least 60% of the on-street spaces in the primary district area are occupied during peak times. D. That establishing the district would increase access to available on-street parking to area residents, would reduce traffic congestion and would increase safety for pedestrians and occupants of vehicles. E. That the size of the proposed district is sufficient to adequately address the problems identified and sufficient to minimize the transfer of the observed parking problems from one area to another. F. That no other reasonable alternatives have been identified that are as likely to resolve the problems that have been established. G. That the proposed district is located such that public transportation is reasonably available to assist in defraying the parking demand of adjacent employers, institutions, and non-resident parkers. H. Any other factor that the board of city commission deems relevant under the circumstances. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2109 Parking permits authorized and issued.

8-2109. - Parking permits authorized and issued. The resolution designating and establishing a residential permit parking district shall provide for the issuance of annual parking permits to residents of such district subject to the following: A. No permit required. Each block in a designated residential parking permit program district must maintain at least 4 spaces or 25% of the available spaces, whichever is greater, as "no permit required" parking. "No permit required" parking spaces must be located on the corner of a block. B. Permit required. Portions of a designated residential parking permit program district that are designated as "permit only" parking will be posted with signs that indicate "residential parking permit required" and will also indicate the hours and days the permit-only designation applies. C. Type of permits. Owners in a designated residential parking permit district are eligible to apply for parking permits. The City will issue a maximum of two parking permits per property. The initial cost of a residential parking permit program resident permit is $20. D. Proof required. Written proof of residency, such as a rental agreement, property tax bill, current utility bill or telephone bill, and a current vehicle registration issued by the North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent authorized agency of another state or governmental entity for each vehicle that is to be permitted must be provided for a permit. The vehicle must be registered to the resident or, in the case of a business, the vehicle must be registered to the business or to an employee of the business that can provide proof of employment. E. Renewal. Permits must be renewed on an annual basis. A permit is valid for one year, from July 1 to June 30, regardless of the date of issuance. The cost to renew a permit is $10. F. No permits issued under this article shall guarantee or reserve to the holder a particular parking space within the designated area but shall provide general parking in said area during the time specified by the resolution approving the district and so posted as required by this article. G. Nothing herein shall abrogate or limit the scope of parking privileges required to be provided for handicapped persons as defined under the laws of this city or the state of North Dakota. H. Nothing herein shall abrogate or limit the effect of other local or state law regarding parking of motor vehicles. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2110 Posting of residential parking permit districts.

8-2110. - Posting of residential parking permit districts. The parking spaces identified as "no permit required" parking must be designated by signage that indicates "no permit required between signs". Those spaces will be limited to a four hour time zone. The portions of a designated residential parking permit district that are designated as "permit only" parking must be posted with signs that indicate "residential parking permit required". The signs must also indicate the hours and days the permit-only designation applies. [J1] Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2111 Display of permits.

8-2111. - Display of permits. Residential parking permits shall be permanently affixed to the rear window of the permitted vehicle on the driver's side so that the permit is readily visible to enforcement personnel. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2112 Permit parking exemption.

8-2112. - Permit parking exemption. Emergency vehicles, delivery vehicles (clearly marked as such), and vehicles displaying a valid state-issued mobility-impaired parking permit or license plate are exempt from the provisions of this program and do not require a Residential parking permit to park on the street in a designated residential parking permit district. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2113 Modification or removal of designation of residential parking permit district.

8-2113. - Modification or removal of designation of residential parking permit district. The board of city commissioners, after a public hearing, may modify or remove the designation of a residential parking permit district by resolution under the same process for review and consideration as an original petition, as set forth in this article. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2114 Violations.

8-2114. - Violations. It shall be a violation of this ordinance to: A. Display a permit issued for a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the permit was issued. B. To sell or transfer a permit to a person other than the permitee. C. Provide false information in applying for a permit. Source: 4538 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-2115 Revocation of permit.

8-2115. - Revocation of permit. The city may revoke any permit issued under this article upon a finding that the permit was issued under false pretenses or a finding of four or more violations of this article by the permittee. Source: 4538 (2006).
Source: City of Fargo, North Dakota, Fargo Municipal Code and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nd/fargo/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=FARGO_MUNICIPAL_CODECIFANODA_CH8TRCO_ART8-21REPAPEPRFetched: 11/7/2026

Starting a business in North Dakota? North Dakota LLC guide: costs and requirements