County Building Permits
Codington County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Codington County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Codington County land. Zoning Officer: Luke Muller; Assistant: Becky Goens.
- Department
- Codington County Planning and Zoning Office
- Address
- Codington County Extension Complex (Entrance B), 1910 West Kemp Avenue, Watertown, SD 57201-3048
- Phone
- (605) 882-6300
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Phone / Paper • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Obtain building permit application from the Codington County Extension Office (Entrance B) or download from codington.org
- Complete the application with site plan, property description, and construction scope details
- Submit application to the Zoning Office with required documentation
- Zoning Officer reviews for compliance with county zoning ordinance (Ordinance #65)
- Permit is issued or requested revisions/variances are noted
- Work may commence only after permit is issued and conditions are satisfied
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate
General Requirements
Building permits are required prior to commencement of excavation for construction or for the construction or moving of any building in unincorporated Codington County.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
- Property description
- Construction scope details
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Building code
- Codington County follows applicable South Dakota building standards. The 2021 International Building Code (IBC) is the model standard adopted statewide where local jurisdictions have adopted codes.
- 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 contractors must carry a valid South Dakota journeyman electrician's license. Plumbing contractors must carry a valid South Dakota plumbing contractor's license. State-level licensing required for electrical and plumbing work regardless of project size.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Not publicly listed; contact department for current fee schedule
- Penalty (no permit)
- Administrative fees up to 200% of the permit fee may be assessed for unpermitted construction
- Payment note
- Contact department at (605) 882-6300 or codington.county@sdstate.edu for current fee schedule and payment information. In 2024, permit fee revenues totaled $37,690 for the county.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Replacing plumbing fixtures (faucets, etc.)
- Routine unclogging and drain cleaning
- Interior painting
- Flooring and finish work without structural changes
Important: Any modifications to water supply lines, drainage systems, or gas piping require permits. Structural changes, additions, new construction, and moving buildings require permits. Emergency repairs addressing immediate health/safety hazards may proceed without a pre-permit, but a permit must be obtained post-completion.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (605) 882-6300 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Inspection hours
- 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections verify compliance with zoning ordinance, building code, and permit conditions.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Codington County follows applicable South Dakota building standards. The 2021 International Building Code (IBC) is the model standard adopted statewide where local jurisdictions have adopted codes.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Codington County Zoning Ordinance #65 PDF
- South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR)
- South Dakota Electrical Commission
- South Dakota 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 Codington County Planning and Zoning Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Codington County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Codington County, SD?
- Building permits are required prior to commencement of excavation for construction or for the construction or moving of any building in unincorporated Codington County.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Codington County, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; contact department for current fee schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Codington County, SD?
- 1. Obtain building permit application from the Codington County Extension Office (Entrance B) or download from codington.org 2. Complete the application with site plan, property description, and construction scope details 3. Submit application to the Zoning Office with required documentation 4. Zoning Officer reviews for compliance with county zoning ordinance (Ordinance #65) 5. Permit is issued or requested revisions/variances are noted 6. Work may commence only after permit is issued and conditions are satisfied
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Codington County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Codington County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: Replacing plumbing fixtures (faucets, etc.); Routine unclogging and drain cleaning; Interior painting; Flooring and finish work without structural changes. Note: Any modifications to water supply lines, drainage systems, or gas piping require permits. Structural changes, additions, new construction, and moving buildings require permits. Emergency repairs addressing immediate health/safety hazards may proceed without a pre-permit, but a permit must be obtained post-completion.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Codington County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (605) 882-6300. Not publicly stated; contact department.
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