Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house?
Who is responsible for the Water and Sewer Service Lines leading to my home?
What do I need to get permits for within the City of Aberdeen?
How do I get settled Curb adjacent to my property repaired?
What can I do about my neighbor's drainage coming onto my property?
Who is responsible for Street Lights?
Who will locate my property lines?
What is the current schedule for Major Road Improvements?
How can I get my alley paved?


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It is further required that property owners or renters of property within the City of Aberdeen, shovel the snow from their sidewalk to allow for pedestrian passage. If ice and snow build up the property owner must make every effort to clear that snow and use salt, sand or other materials to prevent it from becoming slippery.

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Who is responsible for the Water and Sewer Service Lines leading to my home?
The property owner is responsible for all piping and appurtenances, which are not part of the water or sewer main. Problems such as water leaks, broken or inoperable water shut-off, blockages or freezing which occur in the service lines, are the responsibility of the property owner or tenant to rectify. A list of licensed contractors is available from the Engineering or Public Works Departments at 626-7010.

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What do I need to get permits for within the City of Aberdeen?
There are permits required any time work is done within City Right-of-Way. Sidewalks, Driveway Approach Aprons, Curb and Gutter, and Boulevards are examples of areas, which will require that permits are obtained for any work in these areas. A list of licensed excavators and concrete contractors is available from the Engineering or Public Works Departments at 626-7010. It is better to call to make sure that you have the right to do the work. If permits are not obtained where required, penalties can be assessed.

Building Permits are required - No building or structure regulated by the City Code shall be erected, constructed, altered, enlarged, repaired, moved, converted or demolished without first obtaining a Building Permit.  As of Jan.1, 2007 a building permit is required for replacement of windows and doors.  Exemptions from this Permit process are the following:

"Residential one story detached buildings which are used for tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 200 sq. ft., however a zoning permit will be required."

"Walks and driveways not over 30 inches high."

"Painting, flooring, cabinets and similar finish work."

"The replacement of overhead garage doors which does not require the framing of the existing structure to be altered."

"The installation of rain gutters, the repair or replacement of soffets or facias."

"Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of a single family dwelling and not projecting more than 54 inches."

Prefabricated swimmimg pools accessory to a single family dwelling in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons.

Exemption from the permit requirements shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done to violate the provisions of any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

The Planning and Zoning Department require that set-backs from property lines be met. Call 626-7017 to find out what the specific set-backs are for your zoning.

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How do I get settled Curb adjacent to my property repaired?
The City budgets for Curb and Gutter replacement annually. The current City policy is to repair areas, which are also going through our normal patching and chip sealing program. This area will be  north/south streets on the north side of the community in 2003. Other areas will be looked at, but unless a serious safety hazard exists, other areas will be completed with the patch and sealing area. Call the Engineering Department at 626-7017 for information, or e-mail us with your request or question.

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What can I do about my neighbor's drainage coming onto my property?
There is not an ordinance that directly deals with a property owner's rights in this situation. It is recommended that the property owner's try to work out a mutually beneficial solution between them. Normally a drainage swail can be created on the property between the homes to direct the drainage to the street or backyard and away from structures. If a solution cannot be worked out to the satisfaction of the property owners, and one property owner feels that they are being damaged by the other property owner, it is a civil matter, which may require appropriate legal counsel to resolve the matter.

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Who is responsible for Street Lights?
The City of Aberdeen owns and maintains lights along most major roadways in the community. The City of Aberdeen has a contract with Northwestern Public Service to install and maintain street lights in other areas of the community. If you notice that a street light is out, please call 626-7010 with the location, and the necessary repair will be made as soon as possible.

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Who will locate my property lines?
There are local Engineering Firms that provide surveying services for private landowners. A list of licensed land surveyors is listed in the Yellow Pages under Surveyors-Land. The City does not provide this service for private landowners.

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What is the current schedule for Major Road Improvements?
Major Road Improvements (Current Schedule):
1) Fairgrounds Road from N 5st to 1/2 mile East - 2008
2) Fairgrounds Road from Dakota St to 1/2 mile West - 2009
3) Brown County 19 from 8th Ave N to 6th Ave SE - 2010
4) Roosevelt St N from 8th Ave N to Fairgrounds Road - 2011

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How can I get my alley paved?
Many neighborhoods have decided that they would like to have a paved alley. The City does not pay for the improvements, however, it will provide many of the services needed to reduce the costs to adjacent landowners.

If a neighborhood is interested in paving their alley, they need to get an estimate from a paving company to perform the work. The neighborhood must circulate a petition to adjacent landowners to find out who is interested in paying for the improvements. If some of the landowners are not interested in paying for the improvements, the ones interested may elect to pay for the non-interested share.

Upon determining who is willing to pay for the improvements and their share, the neighborhood can contact the City Engineering Department and present the petition showing that the neighbors will pay for the improvement. The City Engineering Department will survey the alley and design the alignment and grade line for the improvement. The City Street Department will provide all of the necessary excavation and gravel for the alley improvement. After that time the paving contractor will shoot a prime seal on the gravel and then pave it with 3” of hot-mix asphalt.

The City Standards for alleys are as follows: 6” gravel, prime seal, 3” asphalt for residential alleys, (greater thickness for commercial or industrial areas) paved to 14' wide.

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