County Building Permits
Gregory County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gregory County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Gregory County land, including St. Charles Census-Designated Place. Does not include incorporated cities (Gregory, Burke, Bonesteel) or towns (Fairfax, Dallas, Herrick).
- Department
- Gregory County Planning and Zoning Administrator
- Address
- PO Box 437, Burke, SD 57523
- Phone
- (605) 775-2664
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Phone / Appointment • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact Gregory County Planning and Zoning Administrator by phone (605) 775-2664 or visit in person.
- Describe the proposed project to determine whether a building permit is required.
- Obtain and complete the building permit application form.
- Submit application with site plan and required documents.
- Pay applicable permit fee.
- Receive issued permit and post on site before construction begins.
- Request inspections as required by permit conditions.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate
General Requirements
A building permit is mandatory for most construction projects in unincorporated Gregory County areas. Per Gregory County Zoning Ordinance, Section 1411-1425: No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or use changed without a permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.
Required Documents
- Building permit form
- Site plan
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Building code
- South Dakota Codified Laws, Chapter 11-10 requires that if a local jurisdiction adopts building standards, they must comply with the 2021 edition of the International Building Code. Verify current code adoption status with the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
- 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 and plumbing work requires a state-licensed contractor regardless of project size.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Permit fees vary by project type. Applicants must consult the current Zoning Fees document from Gregory County Planning and Zoning office for specific pricing.
- Penalty (no permit)
- $250 per day for unpermitted construction
- Payment note
- Contact department for current fee schedule and payment methods. Fee schedule not publicly posted online; contact Planning and Zoning at (605) 775-2664.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Concrete slabs on grade
- Agricultural fences and corrals
- Semi-portable agricultural structures
- Windbreaks and wildlife blinds
Important: Other exempt categories may apply; contact department to determine permit necessity for any project.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (605) 775-2664 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Inspection hours
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical inspection sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact department
Additional Resources
- Building code: South Dakota Codified Laws, Chapter 11-10 requires that if a local jurisdiction adopts building standards, they must comply with the 2021 edition of the International Building Code. Verify current code adoption status with the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
- 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 Gregory County Planning and Zoning Administrator before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gregory County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Gregory County, SD?
- A building permit is mandatory for most construction projects in unincorporated Gregory County areas. Per Gregory County Zoning Ordinance, Section 1411-1425: No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or use changed without a permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Gregory County, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Permit fees vary by project type. Applicants must consult the current Zoning Fees document from Gregory County Planning and Zoning office for specific pricing..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gregory County, SD?
- 1. Contact Gregory County Planning and Zoning Administrator by phone (605) 775-2664 or visit in person. 2. Describe the proposed project to determine whether a building permit is required. 3. Obtain and complete the building permit application form. 4. Submit application with site plan and required documents. 5. Pay applicable permit fee. 6. Receive issued permit and post on site before construction begins. 7. Request inspections as required by permit conditions.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Gregory County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Gregory County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: Concrete slabs on grade; Agricultural fences and corrals; Semi-portable agricultural structures; Windbreaks and wildlife blinds. Note: Other exempt categories may apply; contact department to determine permit necessity for any project.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Gregory County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (605) 775-2664. Not publicly stated; contact department.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Gregory 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