on September 10, 2026

North Dakota Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: North Dakota has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. None of them uses a set ticket amount. Fines are set by a judge within a range the code allows.

Why North Dakota leaves it to cities

North Dakota has no statewide dog waste statute. NDCC 40-05-01(47) gives cities power to regulate or prohibit animals running at large, and NDCC 40-05-02(22) lets them license dogs and regulate the keeping of dogs. NDCC 40-05-06 caps city ordinance fines at $1,500 and 30 days in jail for one offense. Verified 2026-09-10.

  • City power over animals running at large: NDCC 40-05-01(47) (read it)
  • City power to license and regulate the keeping of dogs: NDCC 40-05-02(22) (read it)
  • City fines capped at $1,500 and 30 days: NDCC 40-05-06 (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in North Dakota's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Fargo Fargo Municipal Code § 12-0105(B); penalties §§ 1-0301 and 1-0305 Up to $1,000 Yes
Bismarck Bismarck Code of Ordinances § 3-03-05(2) (Running at large prohibited - wastes) Up to $1,500 No
Grand Forks Grand Forks City Code § 11-0125 (Failure to remove dog or cat feces without delay); penalty § 11-0128 Up to $1,000 No

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

In Fargo, the law does not just require you to pick up. It requires you to be carrying something to pick up with, so walking out without a bag can be an offense on its own even if your dog never goes.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about North Dakota

  • None of the three largest North Dakota cities publishes a fixed ticket amount for dog waste; each caps early offenses at $1,000, under a state ceiling of $1,500 and 30 days (NDCC 40-05-06).
  • Bismarck escalates a third dog waste violation from an infraction to a criminal offense (§ 3-03-05(3)).
  • Fargo requires anyone walking a leashed animal off their own property to be 'equipped to' collect its waste (§ 12-0105(B)).

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in North Dakota?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in North Dakota?

It depends on the city. Fargo: Up to $1,000. Bismarck: Up to $1,500. Grand Forks: Up to $1,000.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in North Dakota?

In Fargo, yes. The ordinance requires you to have a means of removal with you while walking your dog.

Other states in the Midwest

Illinois · Ohio · Michigan · Indiana · Missouri · Wisconsin · Minnesota · Iowa

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.