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County building permits

Unincorporated Hanson County

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Hanson County Planning & Zoning Board

Street address
Hanson County Courthouse, Alexandria, SD 57311
Coverage
Issues building permits and enforces zoning ordinances for all unincorporated Hanson County areas. Does NOT issue permits for incorporated cities (Alexandria, Emery, Farmer, Fulton), which have separate city jurisdictions. Administers county zoning ordinances (Ordinance #18 and amendments).
Online portal
Hanson County Planning & Zoning Board
In-person / Phone
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Hanson County

New construction, structural changes, renovations, additions, HVAC installation, electrical work, plumbing work, water heater replacement.

Note: Specific exempt categories not publicly enumerated; contact department directly to determine permit necessity for any project.

Required documents
  • Permit application form (available from county)
  • Site plans
  • Construction drawings
  • Proof of ownership
Building code
2021 International Building Code (IBC) minimum per SDCL 11-10. Residential energy: 2009 IECC (voluntary). Electrical: National Electrical Code (NEC). Plumbing: Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) or International Plumbing Code (IPC).
Owner-builder
South Dakota statute SDCL 36-21C may allow owner-builders on owner-occupied structures; verify with county.
Contractor requirements
Electrical contractors must hold South Dakota Electrical Commission license (8,000 hours/4 years experience OR associate degree + 6,000 hours; requires $10,000 bond, $100,000 public liability + $300,000 bodily injury/property damage insurance). Plumbing contractors require 6 years total experience (minimum 2 as contractor/plumber; 1,900 hours/year minimum; licensed through South Dakota State Plumbing Commission). General contractors: South Dakota does not mandate statewide licensing; verify local requirements with county.

Source: Hanson County Planning & Zoning Board ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not publicly stated; typically 1-4 weeks depending on project complexity

  1. 01
    Contact Hanson County Zoning Administrator or Planning & Zoning Board to determine permit requirements for your specific project.
  2. 02
    Determine zoning classification and applicable restrictions for your property.
  3. 03
    Submit building permit application with required documentation (site plans, drawings, proof of ownership).
  4. 04
    Office reviews application for zoning compliance and 2021 IBC building code adherence.
  5. 05
    Applicant pays applicable permit fees (fee schedule varies; contact county for details).
  6. 06
    Permit issued; inspections scheduled per code requirements.
  7. 07
    Schedule required inspections (foundation, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing as applicable).
  8. 08
    Final inspection upon completion; receive occupancy approval.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; typically 1-4 weeks depending on project complexity

Source: Hanson County Planning & Zoning Board ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Hanson County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Not publicly listed; contact county office for specific fees

Contact Hanson County Planning & Zoning Department at (605) 239-4512 for current fee schedule and payment methods.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (605) 239-4512 (phone)
Inspection hours
Not publicly stated; contact department

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, final inspection

Source: Hanson County Planning & Zoning Board ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Hanson County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hanson County, SD?
New construction, structural changes, renovations, additions, HVAC installation, electrical work, plumbing work, water heater replacement.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Hanson County, SD?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Hanson 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 office for specific fees.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hanson County, SD?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hanson County, SD, follow these steps: 1. Contact Hanson County Zoning Administrator or Planning & Zoning Board to determine permit requirements for your specific project. 2. Determine zoning classification and applicable restrictions for your property. 3. Submit building permit application with required documentation (site plans, drawings, proof of ownership). 4. Office reviews application for zoning compliance and 2021 IBC building code adherence. 5. Applicant pays applicable permit fees (fee schedule varies; contact county for details). 6. Permit issued; inspections scheduled per code requirements. 7. Schedule required inspections (foundation, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing as applicable). 8. Final inspection upon completion; receive occupancy approval.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hanson County, SD?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Hanson County, SD typically run Not publicly stated; typically 1-4 weeks depending on project complexity. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hanson County, SD?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hanson County, SD via: (605) 239-4512.
last verified April 2026 source Hanson County Planning & Zoning Board ↗ entry id permits/south-dakota/hanson/hanson-county

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Hanson County Planning & Zoning Board before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.