County Building Permits
Buffalo County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Buffalo County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Buffalo County land, including the unincorporated census-designated place of Gann Valley (county seat). Buffalo County is one of the least populated counties in the United States with a population of approximately 1,600 as of 2020 Census.
- Department
- Buffalo County Auditor's Office
- Address
- 112 Osman Ave., PO Box 146, Gann Valley, SD 57341
- Phone
- (605) 293-3217
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Phone / Mail • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact the Buffalo County Auditor's Office via phone (605-293-3217), email (buffalo.aud@midstatesd.net), or in-person to request building permit application forms.
- Complete the application form with required documentation including site plans, architectural drawings, and contractor information.
- Submit application to the Auditor's Office with all required documents.
- County staff will review plans for compliance with applicable building codes and county ordinances.
- Pay applicable permit fees (contact office for current fee schedule).
- Receive issued permit and post on site before construction begins.
- Schedule required inspections at specified construction phases (footing/foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, final).
- Upon final inspection approval, receive Certificate of Occupancy.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate
Source: Buffalo County Auditor's Office
General Requirements
A building permit is required for new structures and additions in unincorporated Buffalo County. This includes sheds, garages, pole buildings, grain bins, and similar structures.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan showing property boundaries and proposed structure location
- Architectural and engineering plans
- Property description
- Owner and contractor information with license numbers
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact department for details
- Building code
- South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 11-10 requires that if a local unit of government adopts any standards for new construction, it must comply with the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). Buffalo County's formal adoption status is unknown; contact the Auditor's Office to confirm current applicable building standards.
- Owner-builder
- Work by homeowners on their own primary residence may qualify for exemptions, but not for rental or commercial properties
- Contractor requirements
- General and residential contractors must register with the South Dakota Contractors' Registry under SDCL Chapter 36-21C. Electrical contractors must be licensed by the South Dakota State Electrical Commission. Plumbers must be licensed by the South Dakota State Plumbing Commission.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Not publicly listed; contact Auditor's Office for current fee schedule
- Payment note
- Contact department for fee schedule and payment procedures. Fees may be based on project valuation, square footage, or fixed amounts. Payment likely made in person at 112 Osman Ave., Gann Valley, or by phone appointment.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Buffalo County Auditor's Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (605) 293-3217 (phone)
- Buffalo County Auditor's Office (in-person)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections typically required at footing/foundation, framing, mechanical systems, and final phases. Specific protocols and timelines not publicly documented.
Additional Resources
- Building code: South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 11-10 requires that if a local unit of government adopts any standards for new construction, it must comply with the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). Buffalo County's formal adoption status is unknown; contact the Auditor's Office to confirm current applicable building standards.
- South Dakota Contractor Authority
- South Dakota State Plumbing Commission
- South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation
- 2021 International Building Code
- 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 Buffalo County Auditor's Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Buffalo County, SD?
- A building permit is required for new structures and additions in unincorporated Buffalo County. This includes sheds, garages, pole buildings, grain bins, and similar structures.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Buffalo County, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; contact Auditor's Office for current fee schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Buffalo County, SD?
- 1. Contact the Buffalo County Auditor's Office via phone (605-293-3217), email (buffalo.aud@midstatesd.net), or in-person to request building permit application forms. 2. Complete the application form with required documentation including site plans, architectural drawings, and contractor information. 3. Submit application to the Auditor's Office with all required documents. 4. County staff will review plans for compliance with applicable building codes and county ordinances. 5. Pay applicable permit fees (contact office for current fee schedule). 6. Receive issued permit and post on site before construction begins. 7. Schedule required inspections at specified construction phases (footing/foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, final). 8. Upon final inspection approval, receive Certificate of Occupancy.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Buffalo County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Buffalo County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet; Sidewalks and driveways (though the applicable road authority may require separate permits); Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar interior finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 18 inches deep; Minor home renovations and repairs. Note: Specific exempt work categories and any additional local exemptions are not fully documented. Contact the Buffalo County Auditor's Office to confirm whether a specific project requires a permit.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Buffalo County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (605) 293-3217, Buffalo County Auditor's Office. Not publicly stated; contact department.
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