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Code Enforcement

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1. How can I submit a complaint that may be a violation of the city codes?

The City of West Fargo offers a variety of resources for filing a possible code enforcement complaint.

• ce@westfargond.gov
• 701-515-5388

Submit a complaint to Code Enforcement.

2. Can I submit a complaint anonymously?

We prefer not to receive complaints anonymously. Most complaints required follow-up with the complainant for accuracy of addresses/location, access to view the violation, discussion of the issue if no violation is observed, and guidance back to complainant regarding who can address the concerns more appropriately. The complainant information is never provided to the property owners where the violations occur unless it goes to court and is requested at that time. Please note that all of our records are public, including phones calls and electronic documents.

3. What is the process after I submit a complaint?

The process usually proceeds in the following way:

1. Receipt of the complaint will usually be acknowledged to the submitter within one business day of its receipt. 
2. An initial inspection of the area of concern usually will occur within two business days. 
3. After the inspection, coordination with other departments and review of City ordinances will be completed as needed to determine what course of action should be taken. (This can take up to one week.)
4.  A notice is then sent to the property owner, who then, depending on the type of violation, has 48 hours, 7 days, 14 days or 30 days to complete any corrective action.
5. If corrective action is not taken within the time frame provided, additional notice may be given or court action.

4. How tall can grass and weeds be on residential, commercial or undeveloped property?

Grass and weeds must be less than 8 inches tall on all property within the city limits. Property owners are in violation of the public nuisances city ordinance when more than 30 percent of the yard has grasses and weeds over 8 inches tall. 

No noxious weeds can be on the property at any time or percentage of the yard. To learn more about noxious weeds, visit the Cass County weed control website.

Ordinance 15-0305(a) (PDF).

5. How often do I have to shovel the snow on my sidewalks during the winter?

Snow must be removed from the sidewalks within 48 hours of the last snow event. It is unlawful to push snow onto public property, including streets, boulevards, sidewalks or park property.

Ordinance 2-0121 (PDF).

6. Do I have to have my wood piles off the ground?

Under the City of West Fargo public nuisance code, wood piles must be stacked 6 inches off the ground to reduce the potential for harborage for vermin.

Ordinance 3-0204(E) (PDF).

7. Can I lay my sump pump hose across a sidewalk?

According to the City of West Fargo sidewalks and boulevards code, sump pump hoses may not be placed on or over a public sidewalk. Property owners may request permission from the Public Works department to bury their sump pump hose under the public sidewalk. The City of West Fargo has several additional sump pump regulations that residents can learn about.

Ordinance 2-0123 (PDF).

8. How soon do I need to seed or sod my yard after the house is built?

According to the City of West Fargo's Planning and Zoning ordinance, all yards must be seeded or sodded within one year of the issuance of the building permit.

Ordinance 4-532 (PDF).

9. 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).

10. Can I park vehicles and recreation vehicles with trailers on my property?

Vehicles, recreational vehicles, and trailers are only permitted to be parked on improved surfaces. Improved surfaces are asphalt and concrete, or gravel when the existing driveway is not improved. No vehicles can be parked on grass, or dirt.

Setbacks from property lines shall be adhered. Approval from neighbors and city shall be sought if setbacks or proper screening can’t be adhered. 

Ordinance 4-446 and 4-447 (PDF).

11. What is junk?

Junk is considered to be parts of machinery or motor vehicles, unused furniture, appliances, remnants of wood, metal or any other cast-off material of any kind, whether or not the material could be put to any reasonable use. Junk may not accumulate or be stored outdoors on property.

Ordinance 15-0307 (PDF).

12. What is considered harborage of vermin?

Harborage for vermin is any accumulation of materials that will provide nesting material or areas where vermin can comfortably make a home or harborage. Piles of wood, rocks, lumber, boxes, barrels, bricks or similar materials are common places for harborage. Those materials must be stacked evenly 18 inches off the ground on open racks.

Ordinance 15-0304 (PDF).

13. Do I need to keep my undeveloped lot mowed and free of garbage, junk and cast–off materials?

All lots must be maintained so that proper drainage occurs and overgrowth is controlled. The lot cannot be used for dumping, storing or stockpiling debris, rubbish junk or garbage. The city has a tiered policy for enforcing undeveloped lots.

Ordinance 15-0305(a) (PDF).

14. 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).

15. What is a dangerous building?

Buildings are considered dangerous when they meet any of the following criteria:

• Leaning or buckling walls;
• Damaged and deteriorating foundations;
• Improperly loaded floors and walls;
• Damaged by fire, wind;
• Dangerous to life and health;
• Dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary or unfit for human habitation;
• Inadequate to protect health, morals, or safety of human beings;
• Inadequate egress;
• Parts that may fall and injure the public.

Ordinance 5-0200 (PDF).

16. Who should I contact if I have a question or concern associated with a residential outdoor swimming pool?

Please contact the Planning Department with questions about a residential outdoor swimming pool at (701) 515-5370.

Planning Department

17. What is the definition of a junk automobile?

According to ordinance 15-0307, junk automobile shall include any motor vehicle not licensed for use upon the highways of the state of North Dakota for a period in excess of sixty (60) days, and shall also include, whether licensed or not, any motor vehicle which is inoperative for any reason for a period in excess of sixty (60) days. 

Chapter 15 Ordinances

18. What is considered a vacant building?

A "vacant or boarded building" is one that is one or more of the following:

1. Condemned;
2. Unoccupied and unsecured for five (5) days or more;
3. Secured by means other than those normally used the design of the building for thirty (30) days or more;
4. Documented as having multiple building standards, fire or building code violations existing for thirty (30) days or more; or 
5. Unoccupied for a period of time over three hundred sixty five (365) days and during which time an order has been issued to correct a nuisance condition pursuant to Title 5, Chapter 5-02.