Brady Drake
As Fargo continues to grow and evolve, city leaders are keeping a close eye on how development unfolds—especially when it comes to real estate. From prioritizing more efficient land use and smarter infrastructure investment to making homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers, a range of strategies are shaping Fargo’s landscape. In this Q&A, city officials Jim and Brenda provide insight into current development priorities, helpful resources for homeowners, and the future of zoning and affordability across the community.
What are the city's current top priorities when it comes to real estate development?
Jim: I think the city has always wanted to have a sufficient number of lots available for people to build on. With the new Growth Plan, there’s more of an emphasis on the density and kind of trying to avoid really large lots that are difficult to serve in the future. You will see more of an emphasis on density and infill.
Fargo won’t encourage large lots. Narrower lots that you see today in new developments are supported by the new Growth Plan. These smaller lots are more affordable to the homeowner.
Brenda: You have to look at the cost of the infrastructure going in— the more lots you can put into your development, the more lots you have to share in the cost.
Can you tell me about some of the resources avail able for buyers and homeowners?
Jim: The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency helps sponsor a seminar that people can sign up for on how to buy a home.
The website just has a lot of good information for someone who hasn’t owned a home before in terms of what to expect with taxes, maintenance, and insurance for a home.
They also have some home buyer assistance programs. So, if you’re lower income, you could maybe get some help with lower interest to help you buy a home. That’s a state program that we really encourage people to look into.
Learn more about special assessments at fargoparcels.com
Contact the City of Fargo Engineering Department!
Contact the City of Fargo’s Special Assessment Department!
Are there any other resources you would recommend people look into?
Brenda: Typically, whenever we’re talking to anyone looking to buy a house, we recommend having them research the specials and we do have all of that information online. So, they can look up any specials assessed to their lot at the fargoparcels.com website. It’s also good to reach out to our Engineering Department or Special Assessment Department. They can help with any questions people have on that. By reaching out to the Engineering Department you can find out what projects they have planned, whether it is new development or in existing neighborhoods, or if they have reconstructed the infrastructure. This will allow them to see if their infrastructure has been replaced or if it’s a future project in the next year.
Are there any other steps in the process you recommend people check?
Jim: For people building a home, there’s a property tax where you can get an exemption on a portion of your property taxes for the first two years. That’s available through the City Assessor’s Office.
Brenda: Another thing we always talk about—whether you’re in green field or an existing neighborhood—is that it’s in your best interest to reach out to the Planning Department to understand if there is a larger vacant lot adjacent to you what it is zoned for so that you know what might be built behind you or beside you down the road. That information just helps you make a better decision.
How would you recommend people stay up to date on these sorts of things?
Our Assessor’s website has all the exemption programs in there. That’s a very good resource. There are a lot of pages on our website that are really good resources for buyers, too.
Are there any zoning changes coming that might impact local property owners or developers in town?
Jim: There is a rewrite of the Land Development Code, which we are early in the process. Throughout this process over the next year there are public input opportunities, so we suggest following the website.
Learn more about the City of Fargo’s growth plan!
Is there an eta for when the land development code re write will be finished?
Brenda: The new Growth Plan was approved last year with the City Commission, and we have just started the process of the Land Development Code rewrite, which supports the Growth Plan and that is estimated to be completed sometime next year.
Learn more ab out the city of Fargo neighborhood revitalization initiative!
Are there ongoing efforts right now to address the issues with housing affordability and availability, especially with Fargo's increasing population?
Jim: The price of housing has to do with three areas: the cost of land, which you can’t control, the cost of lumber and materials, which is hard to control, or the labor that goes into it. So, the only way you can really make housing more affordable is by building a smaller house on a smaller lot.
Learn more about the five-year property tax exemption!
Is there any thing el se you 'd like to say to the readers?
There are also a couple of things that current homeowners should look into. The city, with Gate City Bank, has a Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. If someone is remodeling their home, that’s a good resource. You can get lower interest loans by working through that program. The city also has a five-year remodeling property tax exemption. So, if I remodel my kitchen, and that increases the value of the home, and you apply for this exemption, the value of your home doesn’t go up because of that kitchen remodel for a period of five years. The other key thing is that the state legislature approved a property tax credit for owners… You apply for that online through the State Tax Department, and that can save you $1,600 on your property taxes. You just have to show that you own the home and that it’s your primary residence.
Learn more at:
FargoND.gov
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