🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - West Fargo, ND
Nearly a Year in the Making: West Fargo Passes Its First STR Ordinance Without Requiring Owner Occupancy
West Fargo Greenlights New STR Rules — No Primary Residence Needed
After nearly a year of debate, West Fargo is officially rolling out its first-ever short-term rental (STR) ordinance, marking a big milestone for both hosts and the city. On November 3, 2025, city commissioners gave unanimous approval to the second reading of the ordinance — sealing the deal without further discussion.
The new rule requires all short-term rental owners to get a city license but stops short of requiring the property to be the owner’s primary residence, a hot-button issue that split community opinions earlier this year. STRs are defined as rentals for 29 days or fewer, commonly listed on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.
Under the ordinance, owners must pay an annual $150 licensing fee, ensure that occupancy follows city building codes, and post a visible license notice at each property. The ordinance will take effect July 1, 2026, with licenses valid from July 1 through June 30 each year.
The primary residence requirement had previously been a sticking point. Early drafts in March 2024 limited STR eligibility to owner-occupied homes, effectively excluding LLCs and business-owned rentals. After feedback from residents and property owners, the city’s Planning and Zoning Committee removed that rule, citing concerns it would stifle local entrepreneurship.
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A community survey conducted in August gathered 60 responses — with about half opposing the primary residence condition. Despite pushback, the City Commission briefly reinstated it in May before ultimately reversing course this fall, finalizing a version that supports broader participation.
The new Short-Term Rental Committee, featuring homeowners, residents, and Commissioners Rory Jorgensen and Roben Anderson, helped shape the ordinance since June. Their work represents a compromise between protecting neighborhoods and supporting small rental operators.
As Planning Director Aaron Nelson summed it up, “This ordinance establishes licensing requirements.” And after nearly a year of back-and-forth, West Fargo now has a clearer framework for how short-term rentals can fit into the city’s growing landscape.
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