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County building permits

Unincorporated Charles Mix County

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Charles Mix County Auditor's Office / Director of Equalization

Street address
PO Box 70, Lake Andes, SD 57356
Coverage
All unincorporated areas of Charles Mix County. Note: The Yankton Indian Reservation occupies approximately 60% of Charles Mix County (easternmost areas). Building permits on tribal trust land or allotted land require tribal approval through the Yankton Sioux Tribe government, not solely county authority.
Online portal
Charles Mix County Forms
In-person / Phone / Online
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Charles Mix County

A construction permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, relocation, demolition, decks, sheds, garages, fences, electrical work, plumbing work, fireplaces, and pools.

General carpentry and painting (non-structural)
Landscaping and site preparation
Utilities (utility lines, sidewalks, driveways excluded from structure definition)
Some structural exemptions may apply under SDCL § 36-21C for homeowner owner-occupied work
  • Exempt General carpentry and painting (non-structural)
  • Exempt Landscaping and site preparation
  • Exempt Utilities (utility lines, sidewalks, driveways excluded from structure definition)
  • Exempt Some structural exemptions may apply under SDCL § 36-21C for homeowner owner-occupied work

Note: Specific exempt categories are not fully enumerated on the county website. Contact the County Auditor's office to determine permit necessity for any project.

Required documents
  • Completed building permit application form
  • Site plans and detail drawings showing scope and dimensions
  • Property description
Building code
South Dakota has no mandatory statewide residential building code. If Charles Mix County adopts any standards for new construction, the county must comply with the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) at minimum. Residential energy code (IECC 2009) is voluntary under SB 94 (2011).
Permit validity
Not publicly stated; contact department
Owner-builder
Sole proprietors performing work on their own primary residence may qualify for exemptions under SDCL § 36-21C; does not extend to rental property or commercial projects.
Contractor requirements
General/residential contractors must be registered under SDCL § 36-21C (administered by SD Department of Labor and Regulation). Electrical work requires licensing by the South Dakota Electrical Commission (SDCL § 36-16). Plumbing work requires licensing by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission (SDCL § 36-23). General carpentry, painting, and landscaping do not require state licensure.

Source: Charles Mix County Auditor's Office / Director of Equalization ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate

  1. 01
    Contact Charles Mix County Auditor's Office or Director of Equalization by phone (605) 487-7131 or visit in person during business hours (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday CT).
  2. 02
    Prepare plans and specifications (detail drawings showing scope and dimensions).
  3. 03
    Submit building permit application with site plans to the County Auditor or Director of Equalization.
  4. 04
    County staff reviews the application for code compliance per Charles Mix County procedures.
  5. 05
    Pay applicable building permit fee.
  6. 06
    Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins.
  7. 07
    County building inspector conducts required inspections at various construction stages.
  8. 08
    Final inspection required upon project completion and sign-off.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate

Source: Charles Mix County Auditor's Office / Director of Equalization ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Charles Mix County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Not publicly listed; contact County Auditor's office for current fee schedule

Contact Charles Mix County Auditor's office at (605) 487-7131. Fee schedule not publicly posted online; fees due before final permit approval.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (605) 487-7131 (phone)
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 sequence: County building inspector conducts inspections at various construction stages with final inspection upon project completion.

Source: Charles Mix County Auditor's Office / Director of Equalization ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Charles Mix County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Charles Mix County, SD?
A construction permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, relocation, demolition, decks, sheds, garages, fences, electrical work, plumbing work, fireplaces, and pools.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Charles Mix County, SD?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Charles Mix County, SD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; contact County Auditor's office for current fee schedule.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Charles Mix County, SD?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Charles Mix County, SD, follow these steps: 1. Contact Charles Mix County Auditor's Office or Director of Equalization by phone (605) 487-7131 or visit in person during business hours (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday CT). 2. Prepare plans and specifications (detail drawings showing scope and dimensions). 3. Submit building permit application with site plans to the County Auditor or Director of Equalization. 4. County staff reviews the application for code compliance per Charles Mix County procedures. 5. Pay applicable building permit fee. 6. Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins. 7. County building inspector conducts required inspections at various construction stages. 8. Final inspection required upon project completion and sign-off.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Charles Mix County, SD?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Charles Mix 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 Charles Mix County, SD?
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Charles Mix County, SD. The following work is generally exempt: General carpentry and painting (non-structural); Landscaping and site preparation; Utilities (utility lines, sidewalks, driveways excluded from structure definition); Some structural exemptions may apply under SDCL § 36-21C for homeowner owner-occupied work. Note: Specific exempt categories are not fully enumerated on the county website. Contact the County Auditor's office 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 Charles Mix County, SD?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Charles Mix County, SD via: (605) 487-7131. Not publicly stated; contact department.
last verified April 2026 source Charles Mix County Auditor's Office / Director of Equalization ↗ entry id permits/south-dakota/charles-mix/charles-mix-county

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Charles Mix County Auditor's Office / Director of Equalization before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.