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§ SD Brookings County
County building permits

Unincorporated Brookings County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brookings County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

County Development Department / Planning & Zoning Department

Street address
520 3rd Street, Brookings, SD 57006
Phone
(605) 696-8350
Coverage
Covers unincorporated Brookings County and coordinates with nine incorporated municipalities: Arlington, Aurora, Bruce, Bushnell, Elkton, Sinai, Volga, White, and Brookings (city). County administers zoning ordinances and makes permit recommendations to the Commission.
Online portal
Brookings County Building Permits & Inspections
In-person / Phone / By Mail
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Brookings County

A construction permit is required for any new structure or addition in unincorporated Brookings County or in the county-served towns. This includes sheds, garages, pole buildings, grain bins, weigh scales, conveyors, and fences.

Buildings of 120 square feet or less do not require a building permit
Accessory structures 120 square feet or smaller are exempt
Agricultural buildings may be exempt under local zoning ordinances (verify locally)
  • Exempt Buildings of 120 square feet or less do not require a building permit
  • Exempt Accessory structures 120 square feet or smaller are exempt
  • Exempt Agricultural buildings may be exempt under local zoning ordinances (verify locally)

Note: Specific exempt categories are not fully enumerated. Contact County Development Department to determine permit necessity for any project.

Required documents
  • Completed Building Permit Application Form
  • Concrete Foundation Form (if applicable)
  • Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
  • Property description
Building code
South Dakota does not mandate statewide residential building codes. Local jurisdictions determine their own code requirements. At minimum, state law requires locally adopted codes to use the 2015 IBC or later.
Permit validity
Not publicly stated; contact department
Owner-builder
Not publicly stated; contact department
Contractor requirements
State registration under SDCL Chapter 36-21C required for residential building contractors. Electrical work requires a South Dakota state-licensed electrician (South Dakota Electrical Commission). Plumbing work requires a South Dakota state-licensed plumber (South Dakota Plumbing Commission). All contractors must carry a South Dakota contractor's excise tax license from the Department of Revenue.

Source: County Development Department / Planning & Zoning Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not publicly specified; contact department directly for current estimate.

  1. 01
    Complete the Building Permit Application Form (available from county).
  2. 02
    For concrete foundation work, submit the Concrete Foundation Form.
  3. 03
    Submit application package to County Development Department at 520 3rd Street, Brookings, or by mail.
  4. 04
    County reviews application for planning and zoning compliance.
  5. 05
    County issues permit or contacts applicant if additional information is needed.
  6. 06
    Post permit on site before construction begins.

Typical processing time: Not publicly specified; contact department directly for current estimate.

Source: County Development Department / Planning & Zoning Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Brookings County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Not publicly listed; likely flat or structure-type-based. Contact department for current fee schedule.

Specific fee details available in the Permit Applications Information Booklet from County Development Department. Contact (605) 696-8350 for current fee structure.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (605) 696-8350 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Not publicly stated; contact department
Inspection hours
Contact department for business hours
Time windows
Not publicly detailed; contact department

Typical sequence: Required inspections vary by project type. Contact County Development Department for detailed inspection procedures.

Source: County Development Department / Planning & Zoning Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Brookings County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Brookings County, SD? ▸
A construction permit is required for any new structure or addition in unincorporated Brookings County or in the county-served towns. This includes sheds, garages, pole buildings, grain bins, weigh scales, conveyors, and fences.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Brookings County, SD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Brookings County, SD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; likely flat or structure-type-based. Contact department for current fee schedule..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brookings County, SD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brookings County, SD, follow these steps: 1. Complete the Building Permit Application Form (available from county). 2. For concrete foundation work, submit the Concrete Foundation Form. 3. Submit application package to County Development Department at 520 3rd Street, Brookings, or by mail. 4. County reviews application for planning and zoning compliance. 5. County issues permit or contacts applicant if additional information is needed. 6. Post permit on site before construction begins.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Brookings County, SD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Brookings County, SD typically run Not publicly specified; contact department directly for current estimate.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Brookings County, SD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Brookings County, SD. The following work is generally exempt: Buildings of 120 square feet or less do not require a building permit; Accessory structures 120 square feet or smaller are exempt; Agricultural buildings may be exempt under local zoning ordinances (verify locally). Note: Specific exempt categories are not fully enumerated. Contact County Development Department to determine permit necessity for any project. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Brookings County, SD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Brookings County, SD via: (605) 696-8350. Not publicly stated; contact department.
last verified April 2026 source County Development Department / Planning & Zoning Department ↗ entry id permits/south-dakota/brookings/brookings-county
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with County Development Department / Planning & Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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