We’re back with our monthly permit update, where we highlight the latest permits and upcoming developments moving the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo area forward.
Our goal with tracking and sharing this data is to help business owners, investors, and community members stay informed on what is coming next and how current activity compares to previous years.
New Commercial & Multifamily Permits – December & Full Year Stats
December was another quiet month for permit activity across the metro, with just 7 total permits across new commercial and multifamily building permits, representing approximately $1.02M in new commercial real estate investment across Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo. That actually bested December of 2024 when only one new commercial permit was issued for $701k.
We can now do a full-year comparison of 2025 vs. 2024, and the numbers for new commercial permits are down considerably. In 2025, we saw total new commercial permit values of $275M, compared to $445M in 2024. That is a decrease of 38% YOY, a sizable difference. The number of permits was up however, 170 in 2025 vs. 146 in 2024 (up 20%). This drop in new commercial permits comes as no surprise to most given 2025’s interest rate environment, high construction costs, and general economic uncertainty at the national level.
Noteworthy New Commercial & Multifamily Projects
- A new 1,895 SF office building on 40th Ave S between Veterans and 45th St S | $305k
Commercial Remodel Permits – December & Full Year Stats
While new construction in the commercial world was slower in 2025, that perhaps helped spike the remodel business for existing commercial and public properties. In December alone, the FM metro recorded approximately $20.3 million in commercial and public remodel permits. This compares to $1.1M million in remodel permits during December 2024.
For the year, the metro recorded $195.6M in commercial remodel permits, compared to $158.3M in 2024. That reflects an increase of 23.6% YOY, helping illustrate that value was found in updating existing buildings vs. building new in 2025.
Notable Commercial Remodel Projects
- A $16.4M remodel of the Moorhead City Hall building @ 475 Red River Ave in Moorhead.
- $900k remodel of various areas of the Walmart Supercenter @ 3757 55th Ave S in Fargo.
- A $650k fit-up of parts of the 2nd floor at Enclave’s HQ @ 300 23rd Ave E in West Fargo.
Looking Ahead
Stay tuned each month as we continue tracking new permits and development activity across the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metro.
From large industrial and multifamily projects to local retail, office, and medical developments, the FM area continues to evolve. We look forward to keeping you informed on the projects shaping 2026 and beyond.