We are back with our monthly permit blog, where we highlight the latest permits and upcoming developments that are moving the FM area forward. Our goal with tracking and sharing this data is to help keep business owners, investors, and community members informed about what is coming next and how we are tracking compared to the previous year.
New Commercial & Multifamily Permits – October & YTD
It was yet another slow month for permits across the metro, and a significantly slower October than the same month in 2024. For the month of October 2025, the metro recorded 16 new commercial & multifamily building permits, representing just under $9M million in new commercial real estate investments across Moorhead, Fargo, and West Fargo. That compares to 12 new commercial & multifamily permits in October of 2024 with a total value of $27.9M.
The slow month pushed the YTD pace even farther behind 2024 YTD permits. For 2025 through October, there have been 155 new commercial permits totaling $263.3M, compared to 143 permits YTD in 2024 totaling $443M (down 40.5% in $ value YOY). However, YTD permits for multi-family units are 643 units in 2025 vs. 537 units in 2024 YTD (up 19.7% in unit count YOY).
Some of the more noteworthy new commercial projects permitted in October include:
- A new daycare building on Calico Drive near 45th St S | $5.2M
- A new 8-unit shop building on 13th Ave N near 57th St N | $1.05M
Commercial Remodel Permits – October & YTD
The metro also saw $18.9M in commercial remodel permits in October, which compares favorably to just $1.7M in commercial remodel permits in October of 2024. Year-to-date across the metro, 2025 commercial remodel permits stand at $141.3M compared to $151.3M YTD in 2024 (down 6.6% YOY).
Commercial remodel permit values: YTD 2025 vs YTD 2024
Notable commercial remodel permits in October included:
- A $3M demo and remodel of parts of the Microsoft Horizon building at 4550 42nd St S in Fargo.
- A $3M demolition of portions of the West 45th Business Center at 200 45th St S in Fargo for future remodel.
- A $3M HVAC upgrade to the Moorhead City Hall at 475 Red River Ave in Moorhead.
- A $2.1M fit-up for new clinic space in the Center for Special Surgery Center at 350 23rd Ave E in West Fargo.
- A $600k remodel for a new Taco Johns at a former Taco Johns location at 4522 26th Ave S in Fargo.
Stay tuned each month as we provide updates on the latest projects, from large industrial parks to local retail centers and much more. The FM Metro is always on the rise, and we look forward to keeping you up to date on all the new developments shaping 2025 and beyond!