County Building Permits
Custer County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Custer County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Custer County land outside the incorporated towns of Custer, Hermosa, and Pringle.
- Department
- Custer County Planning and Economic Development Department
- Address
- 420 Mount Rushmore Road, Custer, SD 57730-1934
- Phone
- (605) 673-8100 or (605) 673-8174
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Mail / Appointment • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact Custer County Planning Department by phone (605) 673-8100 or (605) 673-8174 or visit in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
- Submit a complete site plan showing property lines, public road location, proposed driveway approach, dimensions and location of existing structures, proposed new construction areas, distances from property lines, and locations of wells, streams, or waterways.
- Verify that lot access is recorded in county records (requirement for permit issuance).
- Ensure all application items are complete before submission; incomplete applications will not be processed.
- Pay all required permit fees before work begins.
- Receive issued permit and post on site before construction commences.
- Request inspections as required for final access approach and wastewater system inspections.
Typical processing time: 24 hours for new houses and commercial structures; same-day for additions, garages, and accessory structures
Source: Custer County Planning and Economic Development Department
General Requirements
Building permits are required for all structures exceeding 160 square feet, including new and used mobile/modular homes. Grading permits are required for clearing, filling, grading, or excavating on undeveloped property. Individual Wastewater Disposal Permits are required for septic system installation.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
- Property description
- Proof of recorded property access
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact department for details
- Building code
- Custer County does not maintain a publicly stated adopted building code; authority is primarily zoning and land use regulation. State law requires any locally adopted code to use at minimum the 2021 International Building Code (SDCL Chapter 11-10).
- Owner-builder
- Permits will only be issued to the property owner or the owner's designated agent.
- Contractor requirements
- State registration under SDCL Chapter 36-21C required for general and residential contractors on 1- and 2-family dwellings. Electrical contractors must be licensed by South Dakota State Electrical Commission (SDCL Chapter 36-16). Plumbing contractors must be licensed by South Dakota State Plumbing Commission (SDCL Chapter 36-23). All contractors must hold a 2% contractor excise tax license from South Dakota Department of Revenue.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $100
- Permit fee formula
- Residential: $0.30 per square foot of structure; Garages and outbuildings: $0.15 per square foot. Example: 2,000 sq ft residential = $100 + (2,000 × $0.30) = $700
- Penalty (no permit)
- Work begun before permit is obtained is subject to a late application fee
- Payment note
- All fees must be paid before any work begins. Contact Planning Department at (605) 673-8100 for current fee schedule and specific fee amounts.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Storage buildings under 160 square feet
- Agricultural structures under 300 square feet
Important: Exempt work must still comply with South Dakota codes and regulations, including those governing plumbing, electrical installation, and small on-site wastewater systems.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (605) 673-8100 or (605) 673-8174 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact department for scheduling details
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical inspection sequence: County conducts final inspections for access approaches to public roads and individual wastewater disposal systems. Plumbing and electrical inspections are conducted by the State of South Dakota.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Custer County does not maintain a publicly stated adopted building code; authority is primarily zoning and land use regulation. State law requires any locally adopted code to use at minimum the 2021 International Building Code (SDCL Chapter 11-10).
- Owner-builder rules: View rules
- South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (Contractor Registry)
- South Dakota Department of Revenue (Excise Tax)
- South Dakota State 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 Custer County Planning and Economic Development Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Custer County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Custer County, SD?
- Building permits are required for all structures exceeding 160 square feet, including new and used mobile/modular homes. Grading permits are required for clearing, filling, grading, or excavating on undeveloped property. Individual Wastewater Disposal Permits are required for septic system installation.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Custer County, SD?
- The minimum permit fee is $100. Fees are calculated as: Residential: $0.30 per square foot of structure; Garages and outbuildings: $0.15 per square foot. Example: 2,000 sq ft residential = $100 + (2,000 × $0.30) = $700.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Custer County, SD?
- 1. Contact Custer County Planning Department by phone (605) 673-8100 or (605) 673-8174 or visit in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM). 2. Submit a complete site plan showing property lines, public road location, proposed driveway approach, dimensions and location of existing structures, proposed new construction areas, distances from property lines, and locations of wells, streams, or waterways. 3. Verify that lot access is recorded in county records (requirement for permit issuance). 4. Ensure all application items are complete before submission; incomplete applications will not be processed. 5. Pay all required permit fees before work begins. 6. Receive issued permit and post on site before construction commences. 7. Request inspections as required for final access approach and wastewater system inspections.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Custer County, SD?
- Typical processing time is 24 hours for new houses and commercial structures; same-day for additions, garages, and accessory structures.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Custer County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: Storage buildings under 160 square feet; Agricultural structures under 300 square feet. Note: Exempt work must still comply with South Dakota codes and regulations, including those governing plumbing, electrical installation, and small on-site wastewater systems.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Custer County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (605) 673-8100 or (605) 673-8174. Contact department for scheduling details.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Custer County (Unincorporated) can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works