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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Brown County
A construction permit is required for any new structure or addition in unincorporated Brown County or in the county-served towns (Claremont, Columbia, Stratford). This includes sheds, garages, pole buildings, grain bins, weigh scales, conveyors/legs, and fences in small towns. A Floodplain Development Permit (FPDP) is required for any development in a designated floodplain area outside city limits (except the listed cities with their own floodplain authority).
Routine agricultural work and normal farming operations may not require a county construction permit (South Dakota county zoning statutes allow exemptions for agricultural activities; confirm with department)
Minor repairs that do not change the use or footprint of a structure may be exempt; confirm with department
- Exempt Routine agricultural work and normal farming operations may not require a county construction permit (South Dakota county zoning statutes allow exemptions for agricultural activities; confirm with department)
- Exempt Minor repairs that do not change the use or footprint of a structure may be exempt; confirm with department
Note: Specific exempt categories are not publicly enumerated; the department advises contacting them directly to determine permit necessity for any project.
Required documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
- Property description
- Building code
- Brown County does not maintain a publicly stated adopted building code on its website; the county's authority is primarily zoning and land use regulation rather than structural code enforcement. Contact the department for confirmation. State law requires any locally adopted code to use at minimum the 2015 IBC.
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Contractor requirements
- State registration under SDCL Chapter 36-21C (administered by SD Department of Labor and Regulation) is required for residential contractors. Electrical and plumbing work requires a state-licensed contractor regardless of project size.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate
- 01 Contact the Planning and Zoning Department by phone (605-626-7144 or 605-626-4010) or visit in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT).
- 02 Describe the proposed project to determine whether a construction permit, floodplain development permit, or other permit type is required.
- 03 Obtain and complete the applicable permit application form.
- 04 Submit application with required documents and site plan.
- 05 Staff reviews the application for compliance with the Brown County Zoning Ordinance (Title 4) and Comprehensive Plan.
- 06 Pay applicable permit fee.
- 07 Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins.
- 08 Request inspections as required by permit conditions.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate
§ 04
Fee schedule
Brown County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Not publicly listed; likely flat or structure-type-based given the range of permit types (pole buildings, grain bins, etc.)
Contact department; payment likely made in person at 25 Market Street, Suite 7, Aberdeen. Fee schedule not publicly posted on the county website; contact Planning and Zoning at 605-626-7144 for current fee schedule.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 605-626-7144 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact department
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Brown County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, SD? ▸
A construction permit is required for any new structure or addition in unincorporated Brown County or in the county-served towns (Claremont, Columbia, Stratford). This includes sheds, garages, pole buildings, grain bins, weigh scales, conveyors/legs, and fences in small towns. A Floodplain Development Permit (FPDP) is required for any development in a designated floodplain area outside city limits (except the listed cities with their own floodplain authority).
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Brown County, SD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Brown 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 given the range of permit types (pole buildings, grain bins, etc.).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, SD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, SD, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department by phone (605-626-7144 or 605-626-4010) or visit in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT). 2. Describe the proposed project to determine whether a construction permit, floodplain development permit, or other permit type is required. 3. Obtain and complete the applicable permit application form. 4. Submit application with required documents and site plan. 5. Staff reviews the application for compliance with the Brown County Zoning Ordinance (Title 4) and Comprehensive Plan. 6. Pay applicable permit fee. 7. Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins. 8. Request inspections as required by permit conditions.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, SD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Brown County, SD typically run Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Brown County, SD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Brown County, SD. The following work is generally exempt: Routine agricultural work and normal farming operations may not require a county construction permit (South Dakota county zoning statutes allow exemptions for agricultural activities; confirm with department); Minor repairs that do not change the use or footprint of a structure may be exempt; confirm with department. Note: Specific exempt categories are not publicly enumerated; the department advises contacting them directly 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 Brown County, SD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Brown County, SD via: 605-626-7144. Not publicly stated; contact department.
last verified April 2026
source Brown County Planning and Zoning Department ↗
entry id permits/south-dakota/brown/brown-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Brown County Planning and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.