County Building Permits
Aurora County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Aurora County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Aurora County areas and certain small towns. Does not include incorporated municipalities: Plankinton, White Lake, and Stickney have their own permit authorities.
- Department
- Aurora County Department of Equalization
- Address
- 401 N. Main Street, Aurora County Courthouse, Plankinton, SD 57368
- Phone
- 605-942-7164
- ddoe@auroracountysd.gov
Application Process
- Contact Aurora County Department of Equalization by phone (605-942-7164) or email (ddoe@auroracountysd.gov) to inquire about permit requirements for your property.
- Submit permit application through the county office at 401 N. Main Street, Aurora County Courthouse, Plankinton, SD 57368.
- Staff will provide guidance on building additions and new construction requirements.
- Pay applicable permit fees.
- Receive issued permit and post on site before construction begins.
- Request inspections as required by permit conditions.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate
General Requirements
Aurora County handles zoning and land-use permitting. South Dakota has no statewide residential building code mandate for counties; Aurora County appears to focus on zoning-only authority rather than structural code enforcement.
- Building code
- South Dakota does not enforce a single statewide building code. Aurora County primarily enforces zoning regulations; incorporated municipalities may adopt their own building codes.
- Contractor requirements
- State registration under SDCL Chapter 36-21C (SD Dept. of Labor and Regulation) required for residential contractors. Electrical and plumbing require state-licensed contractors.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact department for fee schedule; payment likely made in person at 401 N. Main Street, Aurora County Courthouse, Plankinton, SD 57368. Fee schedule not publicly posted on the county website.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Aurora County Department of Equalization to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 605-942-7164 (phone)
- ddoe@auroracountysd.gov (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical inspection sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact department
Additional Resources
- Building code: South Dakota does not enforce a single statewide building code. Aurora County primarily enforces zoning regulations; incorporated municipalities may adopt their own building codes.
- South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (Residential Contractor Registration)
- SD Electrical Commission
- SD Plumbing Commission
- License lookup guide: South Dakota Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: South Dakota Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- South Dakota hub: South Dakota Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Aurora County Department of Equalization before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Aurora County, SD?
- Aurora County handles zoning and land-use permitting. South Dakota has no statewide residential building code mandate for counties; Aurora County appears to focus on zoning-only authority rather than structural code enforcement.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Aurora County, SD?
- 1. Contact Aurora County Department of Equalization by phone (605-942-7164) or email (ddoe@auroracountysd.gov) to inquire about permit requirements for your property. 2. Submit permit application through the county office at 401 N. Main Street, Aurora County Courthouse, Plankinton, SD 57368. 3. Staff will provide guidance on building additions and new construction requirements. 4. Pay applicable permit fees. 5. Receive issued permit and post on site before construction begins. 6. Request inspections as required by permit conditions.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Aurora County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Aurora County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 605-942-7164, ddoe@auroracountysd.gov. Not publicly stated; contact department.
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