Building Permits in Fargo
Building Permits in Fargo
Fargo's Inspections Department administers building permits, plan routing and inspections. The City's online permitting site supports applications, status tracking, payments and inspection requests.
Current codes
Fargo states that the 2024 International Codes are in effect as of July 2, 2025 with local amendments. North Dakota subsequently updated the State Building Code to the 2024 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC and IEBC framework effective January 1, 2026. Fargo's local code page remains the controlling starting point for its adopted local amendments.
Fees and plan review
For commercial projects, Fargo states that a plan-review fee has applied to projects requiring plan review since 2018 and is 20% of the attributable building-permit fee, with a $50 minimum. The City's 2026 commercial fee page requires applicants to provide project valuation and says the Inspections Department uses current ICC building-valuation data, reduced 15% for local area considerations, as a guide, with the Building Official making the final valuation determination.
Residential fees are published separately and were updated for January 1, 2026. This page does not convert those project-specific schedules into a generic permit-price range.
Inspections
All work authorized by a permit is subject to inspection, and required inspections can be requested online or through the applicable agency. The exact inspection sequence depends on the work.
Official sources
- Fargo Current Codes: https://fargond.gov/city-government/departments/inspections/commercial-building-permits-fees/current-codes
- Fargo Commercial Permits & Fees: https://fargond.gov/city-government/departments/inspections/commercial-building-permits-fees
- Fargo Project Approval / Plan Routing: https://fargond.gov/city-government/departments/inspections/commercial-building-permits-fees/project-approvals
- Fargo Permit Portal: https://permits.fargond.gov/about.aspx
- North Dakota Department of Commerce — Building Codes: https://www.commerce.nd.gov/community-services/building-codes
Disclaimer: Verify the current local amendments and project-specific fee schedule with Fargo Inspections.