West Fargo

Apartment Garden - Check directly with your landlord or property management company if this is allowed, where it is allowed, and what rules apply. 

Backyard Bees - Prohibited unless the site is zoned as agricultural. 

11-0602. KEEPING OF BEES PROHIBITED – EXCEPTION. No person shall keep, maintain, or allow to be kept any hive, apiary, or other facility for the housing of bees on or in any property in the City of West Fargo, unless the property is zoned Agricultural. Any hive, apiary, or other facility for the housing of bees must comply with the requirements set forth in the City of West Fargo’s Zoning Code. A permit for the housing of bees must be obtained from the City.

Backyard Chickens - Prohibited.

Boulevard Garden - Not allowed unless permission is given from the City Commission. Contact West Fargo Planning and Zoning for more information.

Compost Food Waste - Yard waste composting is allowed but prohibits vegetables and other compostables. Residents are allowed to keep a compost heap on property. 

15-0304-7. ACCUMULATION OF RUBBISH AND GARBAGE IN CITY LIMITS PROHIBITED. It shall be a nuisance and offense for any person to permit or suffer to accumulate in or about any yard, lot, place or premises, or upon any street, alley, sidewalk or City property, adjacent to or abutting upon any lot, block, place or premises owned or occupies within the City limits, refuse, vegetables, decayed or decaying substances, garbage, paper, rubbish, manure, dead animals or ashes or filth of any kind nor suffer such yard, lot, place or premises to be or in such condition. Provided, however, that such section shall not preclude a person from maintaining a compost heap on property owned or leased by that person from materials obtained from that property and to be used on that property.

Home Garden - Home gardens are allowed, however, there may be covenants administered by homeowner’s associations (HOAs) that apply depending on where your residence is located. To check if your house is part of an HOA, contact the Cass County Recorder, as it should be on your house’s deed. Prior to digging contact North Dakota One Call @ 811 or visit their website to locate utilities. Anyone that will be excavating in the state of ND is required to call the One Call center a minimum of 2 business days before excavation. Residents are reminded to keep in mind property lines and easements as they plan their garden.

Pollinator Garden or Natural Lawn - May be permitted, but likely would require approval from the City Commission. Contact West Fargo Planning and Zoning for more information.

Structures (Raised-beds, rain barrels, and temporary or permanent greenhouses) - Structures for gardening allowed as an accessory use, provided that three (3) feet of the side line of the lot is unobstructed and that structures are less than 15 feet in height. Structures more than 120 square ft require a building permit.