County Building Permits

Miner County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

South Dakota Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All unincorporated Miner County land, including the community of Fedora. Excludes the incorporated City of Howard and Town of Canova, which maintain separate permit systems.

Department
Miner County Zoning Administrator / Director of Equalization
Address
PO Box 86, Howard, SD 57349
Phone
(605) 772-4671
Website
https://www.minercountysd.org/

Online Permit Portal

Open Miner County Government

Platform: In-person / Phone / Appointment • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Contact the Miner County Auditor's office by phone (605) 772-4671 or visit in person at PO Box 86, Howard, SD 57349.
  2. Describe the proposed project to determine whether a building permit is required.
  3. Obtain and complete the building permit application form.
  4. Submit application with property location, owner information, project description, and site plan.
  5. Zoning Administrator reviews application for compliance with Miner County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (2023-01) and 2021 IBC/IRC standards.
  6. Pay applicable permit fee (determined by Zoning Administrator based on project valuation and type).
  7. Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins.
  8. Request inspections as required during construction (foundation, framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, final).

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact Auditor's office for current estimate

Source: Miner County Zoning Administrator / Director of Equalization

General Requirements

A building permit is required for new residential construction, new commercial construction, structural additions and modifications, repairs to structures damaged by disaster or decay, and changes in occupancy or use within unincorporated Miner County.

Required Documents

  • Completed building permit application
  • Property location and legal description
  • Owner/applicant contact information
  • Detailed project description
  • Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
  • Estimated construction cost/valuation
Permit validity
Building permits remain valid for a specified period (standard South Dakota practice is typically 1 year from issuance). Permits may expire if construction is not commenced or if work is abandoned. Extensions may be requested through the Zoning Administrator.
Building code
2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) per SDCL Title 11, Chapter 10
Owner-builder
Not publicly stated; contact Auditor's office for owner-builder requirements
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; fees determined on per-application basis based on project valuation and type
Payment note
Contact Miner County Auditor's office at (605) 772-4671 for current fee schedule and payment information. Fee schedule not publicly posted online.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One- and two-family dwellings
  • Mobile and manufactured homes
  • Townhouses
  • Farmstead buildings and accessory structures
  • Agricultural buildings in unincorporated rural areas

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning compliance verification. Local ordinances may require zoning compliance verification even for exempt structures. Confirm edge cases with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (605) 772-4671 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Not publicly stated; contact Auditor's office
Inspection hours
Not publicly detailed; contact Auditor's office
Time windows
Not publicly detailed; contact Auditor's office

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: foundation inspection (after footings/foundation placement), framing inspection (before closure of walls/ceilings), mechanical/electrical/plumbing inspection (before concealment), final inspection (after substantial completion).

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Miner County Zoning Administrator / Director of Equalization before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Miner County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Miner County, SD?
A building permit is required for new residential construction, new commercial construction, structural additions and modifications, repairs to structures damaged by disaster or decay, and changes in occupancy or use within unincorporated Miner County.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Miner County, SD?
Fees are calculated as: Not publicly listed; fees determined on per-application basis based on project valuation and type.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Miner County, SD?
1. Contact the Miner County Auditor's office by phone (605) 772-4671 or visit in person at PO Box 86, Howard, SD 57349. 2. Describe the proposed project to determine whether a building permit is required. 3. Obtain and complete the building permit application form. 4. Submit application with property location, owner information, project description, and site plan. 5. Zoning Administrator reviews application for compliance with Miner County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (2023-01) and 2021 IBC/IRC standards. 6. Pay applicable permit fee (determined by Zoning Administrator based on project valuation and type). 7. Receive issued permit; post on site before construction begins. 8. Request inspections as required during construction (foundation, framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, final).
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Miner County, SD?
Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact Auditor's office for current estimate.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Miner County, SD?
The following work is generally exempt: One- and two-family dwellings; Mobile and manufactured homes; Townhouses; Farmstead buildings and accessory structures; Agricultural buildings in unincorporated rural areas. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning compliance verification. Local ordinances may require zoning compliance verification even for exempt structures. Confirm edge cases with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Miner County, SD?
Inspections can be scheduled via: (605) 772-4671. Not publicly stated; contact Auditor's office.

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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