County Building Permits
Davison County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Davison County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Davison County, including the unincorporated community of Loomis.
- Department
- Davison County Planning & Zoning Office
- Address
- Davison County Courthouse, 1st Floor, 200 E 4th Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301
- Phone
- (605) 995-8615 or (605) 995-8640
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Phone / Appointment • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Obtain Building Permit Application from the Davison County Planning & Zoning Office in person or by phone
- Complete application with project details and site plans
- Submit application to the Planning & Zoning Office for review
- Review period checks compliance with setback requirements and county ordinance terms
- Applicant is notified of approval or required modifications
- Permit issued upon approval
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate
General Requirements
A construction permit is required for any new structure or addition in unincorporated Davison County, including sheds, garages, pole buildings, and similar structures.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
- Project details
- Permit validity
- Construction must begin within 180 days of permit issuance or permit becomes void. Work must be substantially completed within 2 years or permit expires. Extensions available upon request.
- Building code
- Comply with South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 11-10, which mandates the 2021 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) as the minimum standard. For residential construction (1- and 2-family dwellings), the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) applies.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors working on residential construction must be registered with the South Dakota Contractors' Registry under SDCL Chapter 36-21C through the Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR). Electrical contractors require state licensing under SDCL Chapter 36-16. Plumbing contractors require state licensing under SDCL Chapter 36-23. Homeowners performing work on their own primary residence may qualify for exemptions.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Not publicly listed; contact department for current fee schedule
- Payment note
- Contact department at (605) 995-8615 or (605) 995-8640 for fee schedule. Fees vary by construction type. Fee schedule available upon request from the office.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Davison County Planning & Zoning Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (605) 995-8615 or (605) 995-8640 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday; contact department for specific hours
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical inspection sequence: Building inspections are required during construction. Specific inspection points and requirements vary by project type. Contact the Planning & Zoning Office for inspection scheduling and procedures.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Comply with South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 11-10, which mandates the 2021 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) as the minimum standard. For residential construction (1- and 2-family dwellings), the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) applies.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Davison County Zoning Ordinance PDF
- South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation
- South Dakota Contractors' Registry
- 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 Davison County Planning & Zoning Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Davison County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Davison County, SD?
- A construction permit is required for any new structure or addition in unincorporated Davison County, including sheds, garages, pole buildings, and similar structures.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Davison 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 Davison County, SD?
- 1. Obtain Building Permit Application from the Davison County Planning & Zoning Office in person or by phone 2. Complete application with project details and site plans 3. Submit application to the Planning & Zoning Office for review 4. Review period checks compliance with setback requirements and county ordinance terms 5. Applicant is notified of approval or required modifications 6. Permit issued upon approval
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Davison County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Davison County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs and maintenance; Interior remodeling (in some cases). Note: The county does not publish a comprehensive list of exempt work categories. Contact the Planning & Zoning Office for determination on whether specific work requires a permit.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Davison County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (605) 995-8615 or (605) 995-8640. Not publicly stated; contact department.
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