County Building Permits
Lawrence County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lawrence County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Lawrence County land.
- Department
- Lawrence County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- 90 Sherman Street, Deadwood, SD 57732
- Phone
- 605-578-3871
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Phone / Appointment • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact the Planning and Zoning Department by phone (605-578-3871) or visit in person.
- Describe the proposed project to determine permit requirements.
- For new residential construction, obtain and complete a Septic Permit Application ($10 fee) and submit with soil analysis from a registered soil scientist before building permit issuance.
- Obtain and complete the building permit application form.
- Submit application with required documents and site plan.
- Staff reviews the application for compliance with Lawrence County standards and adopted codes.
- Pay applicable permit fee.
- Receive issued permit; 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 required for all new construction, additions to existing structures, decks (new and replacement), and moving of buildings (including mobile homes). Important: Dirt work may commence prior to building permit issuance, but concrete cannot be poured without a valid building permit.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
- Property description
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Building code
- 2012 IRC (International Residential Code), 2012 IBC (International Building Code), 2012 International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 International Mechanical Code, 2012 International Fire Code, and all amendments and additions to the above codes.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Contractor requirements
- A contractor license is required for all construction work performed in Lawrence County. Electrical and plumbing work requires a state-licensed contractor regardless of project size.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Not publicly listed; contact department for current fee schedule
- Payment note
- Septic Permit Application fee: $10. Building permit fees not publicly posted; contact Planning and Zoning at 605-578-3871 for current fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Lawrence County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 605-578-3871 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, standard business hours
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical inspection sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact department
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2012 IRC (International Residential Code), 2012 IBC (International Building Code), 2012 International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 International Mechanical Code, 2012 International Fire Code, and all amendments and additions to the above codes.
- Building Permit Application
- Septic System Information
- 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 Lawrence County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawrence County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lawrence County, SD?
- A building permit is required for all new construction, additions to existing structures, decks (new and replacement), and moving of buildings (including mobile homes). Important: Dirt work may commence prior to building permit issuance, but concrete cannot be poured without a valid building permit.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lawrence County, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; contact department for current fee schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lawrence County, SD?
- 1. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department by phone (605-578-3871) or visit in person. 2. Describe the proposed project to determine permit requirements. 3. For new residential construction, obtain and complete a Septic Permit Application ($10 fee) and submit with soil analysis from a registered soil scientist before building permit issuance. 4. Obtain and complete the building permit application form. 5. Submit application with required documents and site plan. 6. Staff reviews the application for compliance with Lawrence County standards and adopted codes. 7. Pay applicable permit fee. 8. Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins. 9. Request inspections as required by permit conditions.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Lawrence County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lawrence County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 605-578-3871. Not publicly stated; contact department.
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