County Building Permits
Haakon County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Haakon County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Haakon County. Excludes the incorporated cities of Philip and Midland.
- Department
- Haakon County Clerk / Planning Authority
- Address
- 140 S Howard St., Philip, SD 57567
- Phone
- 605-859-2627
Application Process
- Contact Haakon County Clerk at 605-859-2627 or visit in person at 140 S Howard St., Philip, SD 57567.
- Describe the proposed project to determine permit requirements.
- Obtain and complete the applicable permit application form.
- Submit application with required drawings, site plan, and supporting documentation.
- County staff reviews the application for compliance with South Dakota building code requirements and local zoning regulations.
- Pay applicable permit fees (fee schedule not published online; contact county for current fees).
- Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins.
- Request inspections as required during construction.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact county for current estimate
General Requirements
A building permit is required for new residential or commercial construction, additions to existing structures, alterations or renovations, demolitions, change of occupancy or use, sheds exceeding 200 square feet, and fences exceeding 7 feet in height.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application form
- Architectural/engineering drawings (with professional seals where required)
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
- Property description
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact county
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) as required by South Dakota state law. South Dakota Plumbing Code 2015 applies to plumbing work.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated; contact county
- 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
- Not publicly listed; contact county for current fee schedule
- Payment note
- Contact county at 605-859-2627; fees likely paid in person at the county office. Fee schedule not published online.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Haakon County Clerk / Planning Authority to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 605-859-2627 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact county
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday (hours not publicly detailed; contact county)
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact county
Typical inspection sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact county
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) as required by South Dakota state law. South Dakota Plumbing Code 2015 applies to plumbing work.
- 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 Haakon County Clerk / Planning Authority before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Haakon County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
- A building permit is required for new residential or commercial construction, additions to existing structures, alterations or renovations, demolitions, change of occupancy or use, sheds exceeding 200 square feet, and fences exceeding 7 feet in height.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; contact county for current fee schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
- 1. Contact Haakon County Clerk at 605-859-2627 or visit in person at 140 S Howard St., Philip, SD 57567. 2. Describe the proposed project to determine permit requirements. 3. Obtain and complete the applicable permit application form. 4. Submit application with required drawings, site plan, and supporting documentation. 5. County staff reviews the application for compliance with South Dakota building code requirements and local zoning regulations. 6. Pay applicable permit fees (fee schedule not published online; contact county for current fees). 7. Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins. 8. Request inspections as required during construction.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact county for current estimate.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet; Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height; Water tanks under 5,000 gallons capacity; Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (unless supporting a surcharge); Routine agricultural work and normal farming operations (confirm with county). Note: Exemptions from building permit do not eliminate code compliance requirements. Confirm with the county planning authority whether a specific project requires a permit.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 605-859-2627. Not publicly stated; contact county.
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