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County building permits

Unincorporated Kingsbury County

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Kingsbury County Zoning Office

Street address
202 2nd Street Southeast, De Smet, SD 57231
Coverage
All unincorporated Kingsbury County land outside the incorporated municipalities of De Smet, Lake Preston, Iroquois, Oldham, Badger, Erwin, and Hetland.
Online portal
Kingsbury County Zoning Office
In-person / Phone / Mail
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Kingsbury County

A building permit is required for the erection of new structures, relocation or moving of structures into the county, structural alterations to existing buildings, additions to existing structures, and certain interior and exterior remodeling projects.

Agricultural buildings (farm storage, barns) meeting specific size and use criteria
Historically significant structures (by state or local designation)
Certain temporary structures (tents, festival booths) not intended for permanent use
Minor renovations or repairs on owner-occupied single-family residences
Owner-builder exemptions for personally performed work on single-family residences
  • Exempt Agricultural buildings (farm storage, barns) meeting specific size and use criteria
  • Exempt Historically significant structures (by state or local designation)
  • Exempt Certain temporary structures (tents, festival booths) not intended for permanent use
  • Exempt Minor renovations or repairs on owner-occupied single-family residences
  • Exempt Owner-builder exemptions for personally performed work on single-family residences

Note: Exemptions vary and have specific criteria; verify with the Zoning Office for applicability to your specific project

Required documents
  • Completed application form
  • Sketch on 8.5" x 11" paper showing project layout and dimensions
Building code
2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC); South Dakota state building code standards apply
Permit validity
Not publicly stated; contact department
Owner-builder
Owner-builder exemptions may be available for personally performed work on single-family residences; verify with Zoning Office
Contractor requirements
State registration under SDCL Chapter 36-21C is required for residential contractors. Electrical and plumbing work requires a state-licensed contractor regardless of project size.

Source: Kingsbury County Zoning Office ↗

§ 03

Application process

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

  1. 01
    Obtain the Kingsbury County Building Permit Application form from the Zoning Office or online.
  2. 02
    Complete the form with accurate information about the property, project scope, and owner/contractor details.
  3. 03
    Prepare a sketch on 8.5" x 11" paper (graph paper recommended) showing the project layout and dimensions.
  4. 04
    Submit the application form and sketch to the Zoning Office in person, by mail, or by phone appointment.
  5. 05
    Zoning Officer reviews the application for compliance with county standards and applicable codes.
  6. 06
    Upon approval, a building permit is issued.
  7. 07
    Permitting authority may require inspections at various stages of construction.

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

Source: Kingsbury County Zoning Office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Kingsbury County building permit fees

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

Contact Zoning Office at 605-203-0522 for current fees and payment methods. Mobile home relocation permits: $15 fee (county treasurer).

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • 605-203-0522 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Not publicly stated; contact department
Inspection hours
Not publicly stated; contact department
Time windows
Not publicly detailed; contact department

Typical sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact department

Source: Kingsbury County Zoning Office ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Kingsbury County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD?
A building permit is required for the erection of new structures, relocation or moving of structures into the county, structural alterations to existing buildings, additions to existing structures, and certain interior and exterior remodeling projects.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; contact Zoning Office for current fee schedule.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD, follow these steps: 1. Obtain the Kingsbury County Building Permit Application form from the Zoning Office or online. 2. Complete the form with accurate information about the property, project scope, and owner/contractor details. 3. Prepare a sketch on 8.5" x 11" paper (graph paper recommended) showing the project layout and dimensions. 4. Submit the application form and sketch to the Zoning Office in person, by mail, or by phone appointment. 5. Zoning Officer reviews the application for compliance with county standards and applicable codes. 6. Upon approval, a building permit is issued. 7. Permitting authority may require inspections at various stages of construction.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD typically run Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD?
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD. The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings (farm storage, barns) meeting specific size and use criteria; Historically significant structures (by state or local designation); Certain temporary structures (tents, festival booths) not intended for permanent use; Minor renovations or repairs on owner-occupied single-family residences; Owner-builder exemptions for personally performed work on single-family residences. Note: Exemptions vary and have specific criteria; verify with the Zoning Office for applicability to your specific project When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kingsbury County, SD via: 605-203-0522. Not publicly stated; contact department.
last verified April 2026 source Kingsbury County Zoning Office ↗ entry id permits/south-dakota/kingsbury/kingsbury-county

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Kingsbury County Zoning Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.