Unincorporated Custer County

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.

• Exempt Storage buildings under 160 square feet
• Exempt 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.

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).

Permit validity

Not publicly stated; contact department for details

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.

Source: Custer County Planning and Economic Development Department ↗

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   Verify that lot access is recorded in county records (requirement for permit issuance).
4. 04
   Ensure all application items are complete before submission; incomplete applications will not be processed.
5. 05
   Pay all required permit fees before work begins.
6. 06
   Receive issued permit and post on site before construction commences.
7. 07
   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 ↗

All fees must be paid before any work begins. Contact Planning Department at (605) 673-8100 for current fee schedule and specific fee amounts.

• (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 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.

Source: Custer County Planning and Economic Development Department ↗