City Building Permits
Hot Springs, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of Hot Springs.
- Department
- Building Development Department / Building and Code Official
- Address
- 303 N. River Street, Hot Springs, SD 57747
- Phone
- 605-745-4104
- hsinspect@hs-sd.org
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Phone / Online document center • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact Wesley Foss, Building Official, at 605-745-4104 or hsinspect@hs-sd.org to discuss your project.
- Obtain permit application forms from the city's online document center or City Hall (303 N. River Street).
- Prepare and submit the completed permit application with required documentation.
- The Building and Code Official reviews the application for compliance with the International Building Code (IBC) and local ordinances.
- All permitted construction work undergoes mandatory work scope review and inspection by the Building and Code Official before commencement.
- Conduct inspections as required during construction.
- Receive final approval upon completion of all required inspections.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact Building Official for current estimate
Source: Building Development Department / Building and Code Official
General Requirements
A building permit is required for construction, enlargement, alteration, or repair of buildings or structures; erection, installation, enlargement, repair, removal, conversion, or replacement of gas or mechanical systems; moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building; roofing or reroofing work; additions or porch/deck reconstruction; window/door replacement that alters openings or egress; carports, sheds, or accessory structures; fencing exceeding 7 feet; retaining walls over 18 inches tall; and mobile home installations requiring HUD inspection.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application form
- Construction plans and specifications
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed work
- Property description
- Project scope information
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact Building Official
- Building code
- International Building Code (IBC) with all subsequent amendments; enforced by the Building and Code Official
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated; contact Building Official for owner-builder requirements
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must meet state-level requirements under SDCL Chapter 36-21C for residential work. All electrical and plumbing contractors must be state-licensed. A current business license is required to operate in Hot Springs.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Not publicly listed; contact Building Official at 605-745-4104 for current fee schedule
- Payment note
- Contact Building Official or City Hall at 605-745-3135 for payment methods and fee schedule information.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Roofing work 60 square feet or less covering unenclosed spaces
- Exact-size window/door replacement without framing changes
- Siding repair or replacement
- Deck board replacement on unenclosed decks under 30 inches high and under 200 sq. ft.
- General maintenance and landscaping
- Fencing 7 feet tall or under
- Retaining walls under 18 inches tall
- Accessory structures no greater than 200 sq. ft.
- Water tanks supported on grade under 5,000 gallons
- Open decks not exceeding 200 sq. ft. or greater than 30 inches above ground
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from other city code requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building and Code Official at 605-745-4104 before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 605-745-4104 (phone)
- hsinspect@hs-sd.org (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact Building Official
- Inspection hours
- Business hours during normal city operations; contact for details
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact Building Official
Typical inspection sequence: All permitted construction undergoes mandatory work scope review and inspection by the Building and Code Official.
Additional Resources
- Building code: International Building Code (IBC) with all subsequent amendments; enforced by the Building and Code Official
- City of Hot Springs Official Website
- Building Development Department Contact
- City Hall Main Line
- 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 Building Development Department / Building and Code Official before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hot Springs Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Hot Springs, SD?
- A building permit is required for construction, enlargement, alteration, or repair of buildings or structures; erection, installation, enlargement, repair, removal, conversion, or replacement of gas or mechanical systems; moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building; roofing or reroofing work; additions or porch/deck reconstruction; window/door replacement that alters openings or egress; carports, sheds, or accessory structures; fencing exceeding 7 feet; retaining walls over 18 inches tall; and mobile home installations requiring HUD inspection.
- How much does a building permit cost in Hot Springs, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; contact Building Official at 605-745-4104 for current fee schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Hot Springs, SD?
- 1. Contact Wesley Foss, Building Official, at 605-745-4104 or hsinspect@hs-sd.org to discuss your project. 2. Obtain permit application forms from the city's online document center or City Hall (303 N. River Street). 3. Prepare and submit the completed permit application with required documentation. 4. The Building and Code Official reviews the application for compliance with the International Building Code (IBC) and local ordinances. 5. All permitted construction work undergoes mandatory work scope review and inspection by the Building and Code Official before commencement. 6. Conduct inspections as required during construction. 7. Receive final approval upon completion of all required inspections.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Hot Springs, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact Building Official for current estimate.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Hot Springs, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: Roofing work 60 square feet or less covering unenclosed spaces; Exact-size window/door replacement without framing changes; Siding repair or replacement; Deck board replacement on unenclosed decks under 30 inches high and under 200 sq. ft.; General maintenance and landscaping; Fencing 7 feet tall or under; Retaining walls under 18 inches tall; Accessory structures no greater than 200 sq. ft.; Water tanks supported on grade under 5,000 gallons; Open decks not exceeding 200 sq. ft. or greater than 30 inches above ground. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from other city code requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building and Code Official at 605-745-4104 before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Hot Springs, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 605-745-4104, hsinspect@hs-sd.org. Not publicly stated; contact Building Official.
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