EASEMENTS.
Sioux Falls Code of Ordinances § 157.117
in effect§ 157.117 EASEMENTS.
(a) Easements shall be provided and dedicated where necessary for wires, cables, conduits, fixtures, and equipment for distribution of electric power, wastewater collectors, storm drains, overland storm water flow routes, sidewalks, shared use paths, private roadways, and water mains at those locations and widths as determined by the city. The width of easements required for public wastewater collectors, storm drains and/or water mains shall be as specified in the engineering design standards for the particular improvement adopted by the city. It is the policy of the city to locate all necessary utilities in the right-of-way or in easements abutting rear or side lot lines, except on double frontage lots. Deviations from this policy may be made when it is demonstrated that the utility is necessary and no practical alternative locations exist.
(b) In any dedication of an easement, the city may prohibit or restrict building, fences, driveways, and other improvements; may enter for construction, reconstruction, replacement, repair, operation and maintenance purposes; and will be held harmless for the cost of replacement or damage to any improvement or vegetation within the easement and may make any other appropriate or necessary requirements.
(1) All easements for municipal utilities shall be shown on the plat. When constructed outside of the typical street right- of-way limits or anytime on private property, utility easements must be included on the plat consistent with Engineering Design Standards and with § 157.116.
(2) There shall be a ten-foot utility easement for municipal utilities along all right-of-way frontages; except when the setback is equal to or less than 20 feet, then the utility easement shall be equal to half the distance of the required setback per the zoning district.
(3) Easements centered on rear lot lines shall be provided for utilities, drainage, and shared use paths where necessary and shall be a minimum of 20 feet in total width unless otherwise required by the city engineer.
(4) Where topographical or other conditions warrant side yard easements and easements across lots, easements at least ten feet in total width shall be provided.
(5) Lots and easements shall be arranged in a manner as to eliminate unnecessary jogs or offsets and to facilitate the use of easements for power distribution, telephone service, drainage, water and sewer services.
(6) The property owner whose property is subject to those easements shall be responsible for its maintenance. The property owners shall keep the easement clear of any structure, debris, trees, shrubs or landscaping whatsoever except that lawn grass, which shall be regularly mowed and annual vegetation may be grown thereon.
(1992 Code, App. A, § 15A.08.090) (Ord. 81-08, passed 7-7-2008; Ord. 87-18, passed 10-2-2018; Ord. 97-22, passed 8-16-2022)
Source: City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/siouxfalls/latest/siouxfalls_sd/0-0-0-64203Fetched: 11/8/2026