Northmark flies commercial drone inspections in Fargo, North Dakota for property owners, managers, tenants and contractors: roof documentation, hail and storm damage records, facade imagery, parking lot and site surveys, construction progress and lease condition records. Missions are flown by an FAA Part 107 remote pilot, with airspace checked for every Fargo address and FAA authorization obtained where a site falls within controlled airspace around Hector International Airport.
Flying in Fargo: the airspace question
Fargo is home to Hector International Airport, which handles commercial airline service along with general aviation and military activity. Controlled airspace surrounds it, and that airspace covers a meaningful share of the city's commercial properties, particularly in north Fargo, around the airport and along nearby corridors. Many other parts of the city are close enough that every mission needs an airspace check.
Under Part 107, flying in controlled airspace requires FAA authorization. For most routine commercial missions that authorization is requested through LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), which can approve flights up to set altitude limits that vary by location on FAA facility maps. In some spots near the airport, permitted altitudes are low or authorization requires additional steps.
For you, that means:
- We check every Fargo address before quoting or scheduling
- We tell you up front if a site has altitude limits that affect what can be captured
- We obtain authorization before the flight, never after
- We do not fly where it would not be legal or safe
Our guide to FAA Part 107 drone inspections explains what to verify with any drone provider.
Fargo weather and when to fly
Fargo's climate shapes the most useful times for aerial documentation:
| Season | Common Fargo missions | Flight considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (after melt) | Roof condition after winter, drainage, paving damage | Wind is often strong; we pick calm windows |
| Summer | Hail and storm documentation, construction progress, facades | Thunderstorms and heat; early-morning flights common |
| Fall | Pre-winter roof and drain check, site surveys before snow | Shorter days; good visibility |
| Winter | Snow load observation, ice dams, emergency documentation | Cold affects batteries and pilots; limited windows |
NOAA's Storm Events Database records hail and severe thunderstorm events across Cass County. Post-storm documentation is one of our most requested Fargo missions. See hail and storm damage documentation and our guide to hail season roof documentation.
Fargo properties we document
- Downtown buildings: older roofs, parapets and masonry, often in tight spaces with neighboring buildings and overhead lines
- South Fargo office and medical buildings: flat commercial roofs with rooftop units, large parking areas
- Retail centers along 13th Avenue South and the I-29 corridor: roofs, lots and signage
- North and west Fargo warehouses: large roofs and truck courts, often near controlled airspace
- New construction: progress documentation for projects across the city
Services available in Fargo
- Drone roof inspection
- Hail and storm damage documentation
- Facade and building envelope inspection
- Parking lot and site condition survey
- Construction progress documentation
- Lease condition documentation
Pairing aerial work with maintenance
Many Fargo owners combine drone documentation with our commercial property maintenance walkthroughs, so ground and aerial observations sit in one condition record. That combination is unusual in the local market: the same company that walks your building can document it from above.
What we do and do not provide
We provide dated, organized imagery and a summary of visible observations. We do not diagnose roof systems, estimate repairs, adjust insurance claims or certify condition. Roofers, engineers and adjusters can use our imagery to do those jobs better.
Planning around downtown Fargo
Downtown Fargo presents its own flight challenges: buildings close together, overhead lines, trees along Broadway and steady street traffic. Before scheduling a downtown mission we review the block, identify launch spots that keep the aircraft away from people and vehicles, and plan the timing, often early morning, to reduce activity on sidewalks and streets. If a particular elevation cannot be captured safely, we tell you before the flight rather than delivering incomplete imagery.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fly a drone near Hector International Airport?
Many Fargo sites near the airport are in controlled airspace. We check each address and obtain FAA authorization, typically through LAANC, where required. Some locations have altitude limits.
How quickly can you document hail damage in Fargo?
We prioritize post-storm requests and fly as soon as weather, wind and airspace allow.
Do you serve West Fargo and Moorhead too?
Yes. We fly missions across Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead, with airspace checks for each site, including near Moorhead Municipal Airport.
What does a Fargo drone inspection include?
Dated imagery organized by area and a summary of visible observations, delivered promptly after the flight.
Sources
Published · Updated · Northmark Facility Services.