Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, a fence may be placed along the rear and/or side property lines. 

Things to consider: 

- Setback. Fences may not be in the front yard setback. (Please note: If you live on a corner lot, you likely have two front yards.) 

- Property Line. Fences must be set back at least 25 feet behind the front property line. Before building a fence, please make sure you know where the property lines are located. The curb of the street is not your front property line. You can obtain a copy of the subdivision plat for your lot from the Riley County Register of Deeds Office at 785-537-6340. In some cases, you may need to hire your own surveyor to accurately locate property lines. 

- Drainage Easements. Check with the city to make sure there are no drainage easements on the lot. Fences may not be placed in a drainage easement or in a vision clearance triangle at street intersections. 

- Before Digging. Always call 800-DIG-SAFE to have the underground utilities marked before you start digging.

- Permits. Depending on the height of the fence, you may need a building permit

If you have questions concerning placement of a fence or permits, refer to the Manhattan Development Code (MDC) Section 26-7A-7 – Fences and Accessory Structures at https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/manhattan-udo/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-1568 or call Risk Reduction at 785-587-4506 before starting construction.

A dwelling unit is a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one family. A family is defined as either a) an individual or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or under foster care established by governmental action, living together as a single housekeeping unit; or b) a group of not more than four persons, some of which are not related by blood, marriage or adoption, living together as a single housekeeping unit.

Detached accessory buildings must be set back 60 feet from the front property line. On corner lots, accessory buildings must be set back from the side street a distance not less than that required for the principal structure - 3 feet from the side property line, 5 feet from the rear property line, 10 feet from the rear property line if the rear property line abuts an alley.

If you have questions concerning placement of a storage shed or detached garage, refer to the Manhattan Development Code (MDC) Section 26-7A-7 – Fences and Accessory Structures at https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/manhattan-udo/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-1568 or call Risk Reduction at 785-587-4506 before starting construction.

Yes. In fact, we strongly encourage owners to have their buildings inspected. When an inspection finds that an existing building meets all of the requirements of the International Property Maintenance Code, a compliance sticker will be issued to the owner indicating the building met the minimum requirements of the codes as of the date of inspection. Please call Risk Reduction at 785-587-4506 to request an inspection.