[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6638777,"mediaKeyId","2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940","parentId",2570129,"title","Commission rejects proposed short-term rental ordinance and directs staff to return with less-restrictive licensing approach","audioSeconds",3264,"startMs",986000,"endMs",4250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940&start=986&end=4250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940/thumbnail_986000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6638777/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Commission-rejects-proposed-short-term-rental-ordinance-and-directs-staff-to-return-with-less-restrictive-licensing-approach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638777-623b557d6fafa3eccc62a9144263950c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188943&Signature=mYprqUz6Kf3Esnd73gGqwR40b9gur4xPoNBN5ajZ88hqTlG8nReMemY~6LDNl8SKwva2fbFaFyuashSVk3zO49aKqBK6zuJ8VOPg7v8P44FIPlGYwfpFJf7hNrNHEi9RJ5EOw7xU9QX2bJ52f-JLajgEtOIQypZ7I8JzRFrHaHjGcHK7M-b~Wd4bcjpBzkcGdm9Q-v3J1v1a65ytkrD2s4YDLrA1Io5bKtD1T-bH6scQAZyJU5X~JynKKiEU9zKTPsXzd6qpcXg~qmwp69LjIYyRZfvJqjyX5Mnfon-C-x5OZ6InNOnQbBsjbI~mSl3k~fGGQTJFYP4I-678iqKGIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of West Fargo, ND","date","2025-03-12T12:49:57.387Z","article","The West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission voted to reject a proposed short-term rental ordinance and licensing structure and directed staff to return with a revised draft that scales back restrictions — most notably the requirement that licensed short-term rentals be the owner’s primary residence.

Staff presented the draft ordinance, which defined a short-term rental as the rental of a dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling for 29 or fewer consecutive days. The proposal would have inserted a new short-term rental chapter into the city’s business licensing code (proposed Chapter 10‑16) and required operators to obtain an annual license administered by the city auditor or designee. Staff said the draft included a primary-residence requirement (owner must occupy the dwelling more than half the year), mandatory safety inspections by the West Fargo Fire Department before license issuance, occupancy and parking minimums, tax collection requirements (including the city’s lodging tax, currently 3 percent), insurance requirements, nuisance standards, and penalties including fines or suspension/revocation of a license. Staff also proposed a $150 licensing fee and a transitional period for existing short-term rentals to come into compliance.

Commissioners asked staff about the ordinance’s genesis, enforcement resources, and how other regional cities handle short-term rentals. Staff said the city commission had previously directed staff to draft a licensing approach and that the proposed model sought to balance property-owner rights with neighborhood protections. Staff also described departmental roles: the auditor to administer licensing, planning/building inspections and fire to review code and life-safety compliance, police to enforce nuisance complaints and violations, finance to collect lodging taxes, and communications to set up application software.

Public comment was extensive. Short-term rental owners and managers — including Jory White, Eric Stewart, Dan Edwards and Devin (last name not specified) — urged the commission not to adopt a strict primary-residence requirement. Commenters said short-term rentals support local commerce, provide housing for traveling nurses and other temporary workers, and can lead some visitors to move to West Fargo. Jory White, identifying himself as a short-term rental owner, said the primary-residence rule “doesn’t track at all” and that a licensing approach similar to Moorhead’s would be more appropriate. Eric Stewart, also an owner and investor, described the proposal as “extreme” and urged the city to start with basic licensing, inspections and taxes tied to data rather than overly restrictive rules. Multiple speakers asked for a lighter-touch licensing model focused on registration, inspection and enforcement rather than a prohibition on non-primary-residence rentals.

After public comment and commissioner discussion, a motion to reject the proposed ordinance and direct staff to revise it (with commissioners specifically requesting removal of the primary-residence requirement) carried on a voice vote; the record shows one objection to rejecting the draft. Staff said they will return with a revised draft for commission review, and commissioners suggested providing as much specificity as possible in any revision request.

Why it matters: The decision preserves short-term rental activity in West Fargo while sending a clear direction to staff to pursue a less restrictive licensing model. The issue balances neighborhood nuisance concerns with property owners’ ability to generate income and the city’s interest in collecting lodging taxes and applying life-safety standards.

Next steps: Staff will draft a revised ordinance and bring it back to the Planning and Zoning Commission, likely at the next meeting, for further review and public comment before any recommendation to the City Commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of West Fargo Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting 03/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extensive public comment, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to reject the draft short-term rental ordinance that would have limited licenses to an owner's primary residence and directed staff to revise the proposal to be less restrictive, with the primary residence requirement singled out for removal.","taxTitle","West Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",50876,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6638782,"Commission approves Oak Ridge replot to create two lots; applicant to return April 15 with detailed plans",139,830000,969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940&start=830&end=969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940/thumbnail_830000.jpg","/articles/6638782/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Commission-approves-Oak-Ridge-replot-to-create-two-lots-applicant-to-return-April-15-with-detailed-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638782-9a08e3cbf7253c790192b017fc944a89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188943&Signature=DxRUO7aQJK~GbhEutbuO5bVdcYcfVQwOaTfbw9H7Uct1Oacd-DAdKieiSl6XJn6oweGHB2cxnLQKmtlFneMiSjB-mErpn143XkLcCDZE0K3NaKaukShniTBC8bs7E7isRueOWM9QvKuskC87LMde0c8e04vDy0rUyMyI0fWu~rJcE14ESeJY0-dGP7z-TipK8qslEz7t8dgGD78WINdcdvifGXtkJ1psO4EooViWoosH7HA1m~ej846AC3~lEoQeX8uYp2Jq25IUxjr71Nd2qUaKEz1uRwzoeidN1vUMTFzx2sdETmuIQhdA6027pUmm4qbyWGecBT82FN39USnTtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a replat (Oak Ridge, 20th Edition) to divide Lot 8, Block 1 at 80530 Second Avenue into two lots for sale and development. A preliminary site plan shows a proposed oil-change business on Lot 1 while Lot 2 would remain with the current owner for future development.

Staff explained this parcel was originally platted in 2015 with a PUD establishing a pattern of commercial development intended to allow shared parking and off-street signage; because the site is in a planned-unit development, detailed development plans for landscaping and building design will be required and are expected to be submitted at the April 15 meeting.

A commissioner moved to approve the replot as presented; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: The decision clears the way for immediate site-specific development on Lot 1 and preserves the owner’s option to sell or develop Lot 2 later. The commission will review the detailed PUD development plans when those are submitted.

Next steps: Applicant to submit detailed development plans (landscaping, building elevations) for review at the April 15 meeting.","The planning commission approved a replat at 80530 Second Avenue to create two lots at the southwest corner of Second Avenue East and Veterans Boulevard; Lot 1 is proposed for an oil change business and Lot 2 is reserved for future sale. Detailed development plans will return to the commission April 15.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6638787,"Planning commission recommends approval of DMF Addition replat and grants variance for narrower Rusted Lane",257,417000,674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940&start=417&end=674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6638787/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Planning-commission-recommends-approval-of-DMF-Addition-replat-and-grants-variance-for-narrower-Rusted-Lane","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638787-7f7db6ee3924cf18e2135564690ac776/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188943&Signature=gwrIIDud2QZhqqG6xWAYSW7YWW-r2PV7B9w3ooJh~sJdy4Z6jo~fb3El32eAd~tG34bDtRrGXRv48FcAIOhN0aeepoGsvzQJF9Z3gFdHBSUwaupyEr~vQJLinCoB9TNlrGKLZFNyrfyznYqRF8GxxYLUYOYG7p8pbG3yfRuTpU1Nz1YN~WAiTG6ozaYCla4QlU9S4nHtbWWXSLzzb6fj~-o0MSM2fz~YhFxNL9sX9P4Wxes6jx4dgplyXz8z4NqLn7kQduAZ6qRmWbN7onyf2Fw1TC0EASP3LDjHsMZ7ZwnlGbJhNj27a0nck3r~eUDbshrP62dWK~WDbSrqccEBmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a replat to divide one lot into seven at 45020 Third Avenue East (North Pond at the Preserve, 14th Edition) and approved a related subdivision variance for Rusted Lane East.

Staff said the proposal would create seven lots and dedicate right-of-way; preliminary plans show potential office buildings along the north side of the development with access via Rusted Lane, which aligns with Sixth Street East. The applicant requested a subdivision variance to reduce the standard right-of-way from 80 to 70 feet and the paving width from 40 to 30 feet; staff recommended approval of the replat and the variance with three recommended conditions.

The commission’s recommended conditions are: 1) a signed subdivision improvement agreement must be received prior to final plat approval; 2) the subdivision variance is conditioned on no on-street parking; and 3) either a 10-foot sidewalk easement plus an additional 5-foot utility easement must be added to the plat or additional right-of-way must be dedicated for the sidewalk and future utilities abutting 20 Third Avenue East. Staff advised an engineer for the applicant indicated additional right-of-way would likely be acceptable.

Commissioners asked whether the narrower roadway would affect emergency access. Staff said engineering reviewed the design and noted that on-street parking would be restricted to accommodate the reduced pavement width; the parcels are expected to provide off-street parking for the proposed commercial uses.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval with the three staff recommendations; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: The replat and variance will allow the owner to subdivide the property for commercial sale and development while creating infrastructure commitments through a subdivision improvement agreement and sidewalk/right-of-way conditions.

Next steps: Final plat approval will follow once the subdivision improvement agreement and required dedications or easements are in place; detailed development plans will be reviewed as required by the PUD.","Commission recommended approval of a replat that divides one lot into seven at 45020 Third Avenue East and approved a subdivision variance reducing right-of-way and paving width on Rusted Lane, conditioned on no on-street parking and other improvements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":90,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6638791,"Planning commission continues Brooks Harbor planned-unit development to April 15 after neighborhood objection",142000,399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940&start=142&end=399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2570129-fe5bb0773099bb11d25b0e99cef51940/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6638791/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Planning-commission-continues-Brooks-Harbor-planned-unit-development-to-April-15-after-neighborhood-objection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638791-5489dc707389f14bbf010afdd59769e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188943&Signature=hOhxbhVN6qwDPa7Cij4tcly8fnkFp1rYoKBacAWg3HQdxi~TuSYb~s~pYuyPyKW0rTSQVe3q2ZnpghOK3nm5udORycfdE0Xu0-5lgN~5cvxDwVkf3brqQe60CGuuX4yIXFNeZHCNxdNppH0L4i1trtEkVnHiXo3pTzJR6vPLzXae2fF43htClcPOqzsam7hmKkoXTN20jEvBvH~QEBbm1VRc59kkXOwbRcmdbCub4fwiVjokTYee3d74IEdUKwempC70cFZb3avNZILdK7MDp~Or3~1lzwvAeaRXzPIOXGMwc-FRb6cE40NwvjI~zHhGX1GGNerrWAHAdcAstnnt5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission opened a public hearing on a planned-unit development (PUD) application for Brooks Harbor, Fifth Edition, at 2250 Fifth Street West and then voted to continue the matter to its April 15 meeting at the applicant’s request.

Planning staff told the commission the applicant asked for a continuance because of a scheduling conflict and that notice of the hearing had been published. The chair opened the floor for public comment before continuing the hearing.

Jason Toso, who identified himself as a neighbor at 70220 Third Avenue West, told commissioners he opposes the proposed townhouse-style apartments. “This is the same development that was proposed in May and rejected by this very committee,” Toso said, and he asked the commission to reject the proposal again because his concerns about overcrowding and street congestion remain.

After public comment, a commissioner moved to continue the hearing; the motion was seconded and approved. The commission recorded the item as continued to the April 15 meeting.

Why it matters: The continuance preserves an opportunity for additional public input and for the applicant to address outstanding issues before the commission takes a final vote on the PUD request.

Next steps: The commission will take the Brooks Harbor PUD up again at its April 15 meeting.","West Fargo planning staff said the applicant requested a continuance of a planned-unit development at 2250 Fifth Street West. A nearby resident objected, asking commissioners to reject the same plan that the commission denied in May 2024. The commission voted to continue the public hearing to April 15.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission rejects proposed short-term rental ordinance and directs staff to return with less-restrictive licensing approach

Commission approves Oak Ridge replot to create two lots; applicant to return April 15 with detailed plans

Planning commission recommends approval of DMF Addition replat and grants variance for narrower Rusted Lane

Planning commission continues Brooks Harbor planned-unit development to April 15 after neighborhood objection