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County building permits

Unincorporated Haakon County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Haakon County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Haakon County Clerk / Planning Authority

Street address
140 S Howard St., Philip, SD 57567
Coverage
All unincorporated areas of Haakon County. Excludes the incorporated cities of Philip and Midland.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Haakon County

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.

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)
  • Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet
  • Exempt Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
  • Exempt Water tanks under 5,000 gallons capacity
  • Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (unless supporting a surcharge)
  • Exempt 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.

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
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.
Permit validity
Not publicly stated; contact county
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.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not publicly stated; contact county for current estimate

  1. 01
    Contact Haakon County Clerk at 605-859-2627 or visit in person at 140 S Howard St., Philip, SD 57567.
  2. 02
    Describe the proposed project to determine permit requirements.
  3. 03
    Obtain and complete the applicable permit application form.
  4. 04
    Submit application with required drawings, site plan, and supporting documentation.
  5. 05
    County staff reviews the application for compliance with South Dakota building code requirements and local zoning regulations.
  6. 06
    Pay applicable permit fees (fee schedule not published online; contact county for current fees).
  7. 07
    Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins.
  8. 08
    Request inspections as required during construction.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact county for current estimate

§ 04

Fee schedule

Haakon County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Not publicly listed; contact county for current fee schedule

Contact county at 605-859-2627; fees likely paid in person at the county office. Fee schedule not published online.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact county

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Haakon County permits

01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Haakon County, SD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; contact county for current fee schedule.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Haakon County, SD, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Haakon County, SD typically run Not publicly stated; contact county for current estimate. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Haakon County, SD?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Haakon County, SD via: 605-859-2627. Not publicly stated; contact county.
last verified April 2026 entry id permits/south-dakota/haakon/haakon-county

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Haakon County Clerk / Planning Authority before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.