Sign Regulations

The following summarizes the City of Fargo's basic rules about signs; these rules are expanded on in the Fargo Sign Code:

There are three categories of signs:

  • permanent signs.
  • portable signs.
  • temporary signs that do not require permits.

None of these types of signs may be displayed on city boulevards, nor are signs requiring permits allowed on residential property.

Permanent signs

Permanent signs are limited by height and area, but not number. Permanent signs require a "one-time" permit. The permit application and requirements are available on-line as a Microsoft Word document or an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file.  The maximum area for all signs at a property is either 40% of the front "face" area of the building or three square feet for every lineal foot of lot frontage.

Signs that are hung on a building must have the permit written to a licensed sign hanger unless the work is done by the property owner. Freestanding signs do not require a licensed sign hanger. The further a freestanding sign is located from the street-side property line, the taller it may be. The maximum allowable height is 50 feet. Permit costs are based on the area of the sign's face(s).  Please use our application (available on-line as a Microsoft Word document or Adobe Acrobat .pdf file) and either bring it in or, if you are a licensed sign hanger, mail it to our office so that we have an original signature.

Portable signs

Portable signs must also have permits. A business may display a portable sign for 30 days, then it must be removed for 60 days before being displayed again for that business. A site with multiple businesses may have two signs up at one time but there must still be 60 days between advertising for any one business on that lot. The City of Fargo must be notified of the location and duration of all portable signs displayed before they are placed.  There is a $15 registration fee for each placement. Companies which will be placing portable signs must also pay an annual $50 license fee.  You should submit a sign location registration form (available on-line as a Microsoft Word document or an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file) with the necessary information for approval before the sign is placed.

Signs that do not require permits

There are several types of signs which do not require permits. Political signs, temporary cloth signs or banners, and signs shorter than five feet and less than 40 square feet do not require permits.  Temporary signs may be in place for 14 days and then cannot be placed again for 60 days.

Forbidden locations

Signs are not permitted on the boulevard or other city right-of-way including telephone, power and light poles. Due to the increased number of such signs and complaints about them, the city has bgun to rigorously enforce this rule and will be confiscating signs that are found on the right-of-way. The first time a sign is confiscated from a company or owner, it may be picked up from us at no charge.   The owner of signs subsequently placed on the right-of-way will be charged a $25 handling fee which must be paid before the signs may be retrieved. You will be notified that a sign has been taken if there is a phone number on the sign. 

The only exceptions to this rule are real estate open house or Parade of Homes directional signs, which may be in place a maximum of 14 days and not more than 3 days before and one day after the event.

For more information

If you need more information or have questions, please review the Fargo Sign Code or contact the Inspections Department.