Yes, according to ordinance 11-0102 all dogs and cats over the age of twelve (12) weeks must be licensed by the West Fargo Police Department.  In order to license your pet, please bring proof that the rabies vaccination has been given and is current to the West Fargo Police Department.  A clerk will then issue the license after verifying that the proper vaccination has been given.  The charge is $6.00 per animal that is spayed/neutered and $10.00 for those who are not (we accept cash, check and money order).  The license will be good until December 31st of that year and will need to be renewed each year.

Yes.  Police reports and accident reports can be requested from the Police Department.  Accident reports are $7.00 per report.  Police reports cost $.25 per page but are free to the victims of the crime report.  Payment for the reports may be made in cash, check or money order form. 

Yes, you will need to contact the Police Department (433-5500) and ask to speak to an officer.  Be prepared to provide the officer with the following information:  your name, address, date, time and type of event.  The officer will consider the request and make a determination if the special parking is warranted. 

Police reports can be made at anytime, on any day.  Please contact the Police Department at 701-433-5500 or stop in at 800 4th Avenue East.  An officer will be assigned to your issue.

No, it is unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm or dangerous weapon within the city limits.  For further information please refer to ordinance 12-0306.  If you are found guilty of firing a weapon within city limits you will be charged with a Class B Misdemeanor/$250.00 fine.

Yes, there is a leash law.  According to ordinance 11-0201, "No person who is owner or keeper of any animal shall allow any animal to run at large in the city."  To report an animal at large, please contact the Police Department at 701-433-5500.  They will require the following information:  the address, type of animal, and when you saw the animal last.

Yes, the curfew is from 11:00 pm until 6:00 am.  This is the time when a person under the age of 16 cannot be out wandering the city.  This ordinance does not include a child who is returning home from certain events.  If they have been babysitting or if they are with someone of the age of 18 and they are approved by a parent.  For further information regarding the curfew, please see ordinance 12-09.  If caught out during the hours of the curfew, the child will be brought either to the Police Department, home or attendant care.

It is unlawful for any citizen of West Fargo to push or blow snow into the streets.  If you see your neighbor doing this, please contact the Police Department at 701-433-5500.

The West Fargo Police Department currently has a volunteer program.  When we have opening for volunteers they will be posted on our website and on the West Fargo public access channel.  You can also contact the Support Services Officer at 701-433-5500 if you have any questions regarding the program.

Officer Pete Neilsen and Officer Mark Morris are the two points of contact for the neighborhood watch program in West Fargo.  They can be reached at 701-433-5500.

The first thing you should do is contact the Police Department at 701-433-5300 or in person at 800 4th Avenue East.  An officer will discuss the situation with you and inform you of your options.  If possible, try to record the harassment or bring in the email/written/voicemail/texted evidence.  Always document the time and place the harassment is taking place.  The first step to stopping harassment is informing the Police Department.

West Fargo police officers are not required to write a certain amount of tickets, However, officers are encouraged to make traffic stops and issue tickets, as traffic violations and the accidents that result from them, are a major concern to most citizens.

The Cass County Jail operates 24 hours a day.  It is located at 450 34th Street South in Fargo.  You can contact the jail at Sheriff@co.cass.nd.us or by calling 701-241-5799.

The first question you should ask yourself is, "did I enter a lottery/contest?"  If you answered no, then the letter is probably a scam.  Look at the return address, does it match the postmark?  Was it sent from outside the United States?  The U.S. Postal Inspection service does a remarkable job of investigating and shutting down this type of illegal activity.  As a result, most operations have moved out of the country.  The most common country of origin for lottery scams is currently Canada, but Nigeria, Denmark and England are also points of origin that we have seen.  This does not mean that you can automatically trust a solicitation from within the U.S.  If you have any doubt or specific questions about a lottery letter or other suspicious solicitation of funds, contact local law enforcement or the State Attorney General Consumer Protection Office.

The West Fargo Police Department currently uses MTW Towing as its towing agent.  Their phone number is 701-281-9637.  All inquiries regarding the impounded vehicle should be referred to them.

Yes.  Not only is it required by the city of West Fargo, it is also a great way to find your bicycle in case it is stolen.  Bicycle license can be obtained at the West Fargo Police Department.  The cost of a bike license is $1.00 and needs to be done only one time per bike.

The Police Department does not issue protection/restraining orders.  You can obtain them by filing an Application and Affidavit in Support of a Protection Order if you have been a victim of domestic violence.  Please contact one of the following:  the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center at 701-293-7273, Cass County State Attorney's Office at 701-241-5850 or a private attorney for further information.

Yes.  The department currently supplies the officers with tools to assist you in opening your vehicle.  Though our attempts may not always prove successful, we are generally able to open most vehicles.  There is no cost to the citizen unless the police can't get it open and a locksmith is called.  The department and its personnel are not responsible for any damages that may occur while attempting to unlock your vehicle.

You can come into the Police Department (800 4th Avenue East) and ask for this service anytime between 6:30 am and 10:30 pm.  Either a police clerk or an officer will take your fingerprints.  If you are a West Fargo resident this service is offered free of charge.  If you are not a resident the fee is $10.00.

Yes.  The number is 701-241-5777 and is available 24 hours a day.  Anyone may call in with information regarding any crime that they have any information on.

The West Fargo Police Department posts information about high and moderate risk offenders on its website.  For a list of all offenders in the State of North Dakota please refer to the Attorney General's website regarding sex offenders.

The police department can't tow vehicles off of a private parking lot.  If you are calling about an apartment building parking lot, please contact your apartment manager or rental office.  If you are the owner of a business contact a towing company and notify the local law enforcement that you are having a vehicle towed from your lot.

Please call the West Fargo Police Department (433-5500) if you can't find your pet.  If impounded, the following charges will apply to have your pet released:

The State of North Dakota allows a 50% tint on the front driver and passenger side windows.  The back three windows can be as dark as you wish.  Refer to ordinance 13-1013 for more information.  If your tint is darker than this, you can be fined $20.00.

Becoming a volunteer is a relatively easy process.  There are no specific qualifications required, only that you live in the city limits of West Fargo.  Schooling or previous fire department experience is always helpful, but is not necessary.  The majority of training is completed in house, with additional training available through various state and regional schools.  All applications are held on file for a one year period.  When the need arises to put on additional volunteers a membership committee is formed and interviews are set up for potential candidates.  When a candidate has been selected they will have to pass a background check, drug test and physical agility test.  There is regular training sessions held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month starting at 7:00 pm.  However, almost every Tuesday during the month there is training going on, such as: truck testing, engineers and extrication training.

Tours are conducted at the Fire Department upon request. Tours take approximately 20 - 30 minutes.  If interested in setting up a tour, please call our office at 701-433-5380 to set up a date and time, we are located at 108 1st Street in West Fargo.

Battery smoke detectors last approximately five to seven years, with electric smoke detectors averaging ten years.  With age, smoke detectors will either become more sensitive or take longer to react to a smoky environment.  This is usually the case if your detector is having a high frequency of false alarms.

The recommendation is to place the detector in a room where you spend the majority of your time, such as a living room.  Most detectors sold today are the electric style and need to be plugged into an outlet.  With this in mind, place the detector towards the middle of the wall away from vents.  Some areas to stay away from when placing detectors: furnace rooms, near gas fire places, near entry doors from garages.  Since carbon monoxide is always in the air at safe levels, false readings will occur if placed in areas where these gas appliances are operating.  Carbon monoxide gas will disperse evenly throughout your home with the air conditioner or gas furnace running.  We recommend at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home; however, you may have more than one but keep the proper placement in mind.

Yes, burn pits are allowed, but not without guidelines.

• Burn pits shall be approved for burning and have a spark arrestor provided and be attended at all times.
• Total fuel area shall be 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height.
• Fire pits shall be located no less than 25 feet from buildings and combustible material such as wood, paper, etc.
• Garbage, paper material, and leaves shall not be burned.  Only twigs and small branches are allowed.
• Fire pits shall be extinguished is there are complaints made about the smoke it is emitting.
• Wind conditions should be minimal or calm.
• Owner is responsible should a fire start within a nearby area is association with the fire pit.

Open burning (not enclosed in a burn container) is not allowed unless a permit is acquired from the Fire Chief of the West Fargo Fire Department.  This permit can only be used for cleanup of natural debris and not intended for recreational purposes.

The Renaissance Zone program is a tool to help cities revitalize their communities. By offering both state and local tax incentives for 5 years, both residents and business owners are provided with an incentive to invest in the community. The program is unique in that cities develop handcrafted development plans that address each city's specific goals.

Yes, you need to be registered with the State Department of Commerce.  http://www.nd.gov/businessreg/

Depending on the type of business, you may also be required to complete some addition City applications for more information, www.acityonthegrow.com or email mark.vaux@westfargond.gov.

North Dakota Law NDCC 57-02-08(20) provides that fixtures, buildings and improvements up to the amount of $120,000 when owned and occupied as a homestead by a disabled veteran of the United States Armed Forces who was honarably discharged or who has been retired from the armed forces with an armed forces service-connected disability of 50% or greater, or is the un-remarried surviving spouse of such a veteran may receive an exemption on their real estate taxes. When filing for the exemption for the first time, you must complete the "Application for Property Tax Exemption" and attach the following information:

1. An affidavit or physician's certificate declaring disability.
2. A copy of the veteran's DD214 showing that the veteran was honorably discharged from active military service.
3. A certificate from the Department of Veteran's Affairs certifying to the percentage of disability.

The exemption is automatically renewed annually. However, the veteran or the veteran's un-remarried spouse must re-file if that person sells the property, or no longer claims is as a primary place of residence or if the veteran dies or receives a change in the percentage of the certified rated service-connected disability. For further information please contact Shane Marcuson, Property Appraiser II, by calling him at 701-433-5342 or by emailing him at shane.marcuson@westfargond.gov.

According to NDCC 57-02-08(22) all or any part of fixtures, buildings, and improvements upon any non-farmland up to a valuation of $160,000,owned and occupied as a home by a blind person may be exempt from residential property taxes.  Residential homes owned by the spouse of a blind person, or jointly owned by a blind person and spouse, shall also be exempt within the limits of this subsection as long as the blind person resides in the home.  For purposes of this subsection, a blind person shall be defined as one who is totally blind, has visual acuity of not more than 20/200 in the better eye with correction, or whose vision is limited in field so that the widest diameter subtends an angle no greater than twenty degrees.  The exemption provided by this subsection extends to the entire building classified as residential, and owned and occupied as a residence by a person who qualifies for the exemption as long as the building contains no more than two apartments or rental units which are leased.  Besides completing an application form first time applicants for this exemption must provide the assessment office with a copy of a doctor's certificate stating that the person is legally blind according to the NDCC. 

If you want any help in completing the application, please contact Paul Fracassi, Property Appraiser I for the City of West Fargo, by calling him at 701-433-5341, or by emailing him at paul.fracassi@westfargond.gov.

When moving in or out of a location in the City of West Fargo you need to contact the City so we can update our records to assure accurate billing.  A move in/move out form will be needed.  Click on the attached link to find this form.  Once completed please return to City Hall in person or by email at: utility.billing@westfargond.gov , fax: 701-433-5319 or by mail to: City Hall, 800 4th Ave E. Suite #1, West Fargo, ND  58078  This form is also available on our website under the Utility Billing link or by contacting City Hall at 701-433-5305. 

The unpaid balance of specials, or uncertified balance, is the balance that remains after the yearly installment is sent to Cass County for payment. The specials balances for properties in West Fargo are available on our website. Be sure to follow the on-screen instructions for entering the parcel number or address correctly. If you are interested in paying off your specials, please contact the Finance Department at 701-433-5300 for the actual pay off dollar amount as interest accrues on this balance monthly.

An appraisal is an estimate of the price that most people would likely pay for your house in its present condition.  Your annual property tax is based on this estimate of value.  The West Fargo Assessment Department places a value, or appraises, all property in the city.  These valuations determine the distribution of the property tax burden --not the total amount of taxes paid in the city.    The city conducts periodic reappraisals to assure that changes affecting market value (up or down) are reflected in your assessed value.  The average appraisal will take 15 - 20 minutes and will involve an outdoor and indoor inspection.  The determing factor if your taxes will go up or down is how the current assessed valuation relates to today's market value.  Any changes that occur from this reappraisal will not take affect until the tax bill you receive the following December (the December bill you receive reflects the value placed on your home according to it's value on the previous February 1st).

The City of West Fargo determined that the present method of assessment of real property did not encourage investment of capital in rehabilitation and remodeling of commercial and residential buildings which resulted in some properties being allowed to decay and become in need of repair and modernization; and thereby, resulting in a decreasing of the tax base.  The City chose to use the "Property Tax Exemption for Improvements to Commerical & Residential Buildings (NDCC 57-02.2) as an economic development tool to prevent this from happening. 

Also known as the remodeling exemption, the City offers either a three or five year exemption based on the value of the completed project.  If the property value increase is over $25,000 the property is eligible for five years.  If it is less than $25,000 the property is eligible for three years.  The application is filed with the City Assessor and it is determined by the assessment staff if the improvements qualify for the exemption.  A residential property must be at least 25 years old.  There is not an age requirement on commerical properties.  The exemption must be approved by the City Commission.  The last assessment on record will remain for up to five years and any value gained by the remodeling would be exempted.

The best time to apply for the remodeling exemption is before the project starts.  However, a property owner can apply after the project is completed and still be eligible.  This application form should be completed.  For more information about this program, click on the following links for a state brochure, the state guidelines  and West Fargo City guidelines.  For any further questions, please contact the City of West Fargo Asssessment Office by calling 701-433-5300 or emailing us at assessor@westfargond.gov.

The City of West Fargo is committed to encouraging the creation of high quality affordable housing for its residents.  Historically the City has taken a preferred stand on private townhome style apartments over the the larger box style.  Additionally, when the preferred style apartment enter into rent restrictions for lower income persons, the City will consider a 15-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes in conjunction with the Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) provided by the federal government.

While there is a set of guidelines especially formulated for the LIHTC program, the application is the same as the New Industry/Pilot application.  The qualified project must file an annual report each December to be eligible for the exemption.  The report must reflect the amount of rents charged for the project.  The exemption will run for a 15 year period if the rent stays at the specified levels.  The West Fargo Economic Development Advisory Committee will review the application and make a recommendation to the West Fargo City Commission.

For more information on applying for the exemption, please contact Economic Development and Community Services Director Mark Vaux by calling 701-433-5311.

For questions concerning what this means in tax savings, please contact the City of West Fargo Asessment Office by calling 701-433-5340 or emailing them at assessor@westfargond.gov

The City will not perform legal surveys.  Front pins are usually 2' behind the sidewalk but can vary.  You can try to locate the property pins (rebar located below the ground) with a metal detector.  A legal boundary survey can be performed by a Registered Land Surveyor in the State of North Dakota to obtain locations.

The City of West Fargo employees Moore Engineering, Inc to provide engineering services for the City.  They are located at 925 10th Avenue East, just south of the West Fargo High School.  Mark Housh is our building inspector, Kevin Bucholz is the City Engineer and Dustin Scott is the Assistant City Engineer.  Their hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.  They can be contacted at (701) 282-4692 or faxed at (701) 282-4530.

City standards for service can be viewed under City Service Standards.  There are also Additional Water and Sewer Service Standards available. You may contact the City Engineer or Public Works to get more information.  To officially request services you can use the standard Request for Improvements form as a guideline.  This letter can be sent to the City Engineer, Public Works Department or City Administrator.

You may have your water and garbage bill emailed directly to you instead of having a paper copy mailed to your home.  Please email utility.billing@westfargond.gov and provide your name and service address to complete the setup process and we will take care of the rest. 

 Contact the City of West Fargo Health Representative at (701) 241-1364

Contact the City of West Fargo Health Representative at (701) 241-1364

Contact the City of West Fargo Health Representative at (701) 241-1364

Recycling pickup is every other pickup week on the regualar day of your pickup.  A calendar and other important recycling information is available for you on-line or at City Hall to track when these days are, items accepted, and drop off sites.    Recycling containers are available for pickup at City Hall.  The first container is free of charge.