Parking & Abandoned Vehicles
Parking Regulations
The Fargo Municipal Code, Article 8-10: Parking Regulations offers specifics on the rules for parking operating vehicles on public and private property.
Seasonal Parking Restrictions
Seasonal night parking restrictions will be in place from Nov. 1 through April 15 (city ordinance 8-1009) and will restrict parking on the street between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. These restrictions allow City employees to remove snow and perform critical street maintenance. The cost for snow removal doubles in an area when crews have to go back and plow it after illegally parked vehicles have been moved. Citizens can help reduce costs and remove snow more quickly by complying with the seasonal parking restrictions. Street signs noting the restrictions are located in the affected areas, which are as follows:
- From 19th Avenue North to 13th Avenue South;
- From the Red River to 25th Street North and South; and
- Any other area designated by the appropriate signs. These areas include sections of the city where parking is restricted on Fridays and the central business district, which has year-round downtown overnight parking restrictions
The following night parking restrictions apply on alternate days:
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays: east/west avenues
- Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays: north/south streets
Additional Seasonal Restrictions (Nov. 1 - April 15) were approved in 2011 to limit parking to one side of the street or avenue. Street signs noting the restrictions are located in the affected areas, which are as follows:
- From 12th Avenue North to I-94; and
- From the Red River to 25th Street North and South, including the Madison Neighborhood
These additional restrictions were enacted to ease congestion on narrow streets allowing for snow removal equipment to function safely and efficiently. Restrictions also ensure ample space for fire department equipment to safely reach homes in times of emergency.
Abandoned, Junk & Inoperable Vehicles
If you suspect a vehicle has been abandoned on a public street, call the Police Department at 701.451.7660. They will dispatch an officer to place a tow tag on the vehicle. The officer will return after a 48-hour period. If the vehicle has not been moved, the officer will impound the vehicle.
If you want to file a complaint about an unlicensed and/or inoperable vehicle on private property, contact the Inspections Department at 701.241.1561. Please be aware that your complaint information is public record and your name will be a part of that record should you choose to leave it. We may also request that you testify about the problem that you reported if we take the case to court.
Junk vehicles are those which are unlicensed or inoperable for more than 60 days. Storage in a garage is permitted, but they are not allowed to be stored under tarps or out in the open.
Consequences: The property owner and the registered owner of the vehicle will be notified of the violation by mail and given a deadline to correct the situation. If the specified vehicle(s) are not removed by the deadline, the vehicle(s) will be towed and impounded. Vehicles towed will be destroyed after 30 days if they are not claimed. If for some reason the vehicle cannot be towed, the City of Fargo may pursue action in Municipal Court.
Impounding Vehicles
The police department may impound any truck, trailer, semi-trailer, delivery car, service car, or other commercial vehicle parked in violation of a parking regulation ordinance and may retain possession of the same until all fines and fees have been paid and until any sentence or order of the court has been completed and/or obeyed.
If you have an abandoned vehicle or other parking concerns on your street, please contact the Red River Regional Dispatch Center at 701.451.7660