County Building Permits
Minnehaha County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Minnehaha County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Regulates all unincorporated areas of Minnehaha County outside city and town limits, including a shared three-mile extraterritorial zone with the City of Sioux Falls and a joint ordinance area with the City of Dell Rapids. The vast majority of unincorporated land is zoned Agricultural (A-1). Incorporated municipalities handle their own permits and are not subject to county permit authority within their city limits.
- Department
- Minnehaha County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- Courthouse Administration Building, 3rd Floor North, 415 N. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104
- Phone
- (605) 367-4204
Application Process
- Determine parcel location and applicable zoning district using county GIS tools or by calling the Planning and Zoning office at (605) 367-4204.
- Confirm whether the project is within city limits (city jurisdiction) or unincorporated county area (county jurisdiction).
- Download or pick up the appropriate application packet from the Planning and Zoning office or at https://www.minnehahacounty.gov/dept/pl/appForms/appForms.php.
- Prepare required documents per the checklist included in the application packet (checklist varies by permit type).
- Submit completed application and payment in person at the Courthouse Administration Building, 3rd Floor North.
- Await review by Planning and Zoning staff.
- Permit is issued; post permit at job site.
- Schedule inspections with the county building inspector at (605) 360-8507.
- State electrical inspections and state plumbing inspections are the applicant's responsibility to arrange separately.
General Requirements
New construction, additions, remodeling, and certain types of structural repair. A building permit authorizes the specific use and proper location of structures on the property.
Required Documents
- Application packet (includes description, checklist, and form)
- Site plan
- Additional documentation varies by project type
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
- Owner-builder
- It is recommended that the building permit be obtained by the individual actually performing the work.
- Contractor requirements
- State excise tax license required for contractors doing business in South Dakota.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based per the county building permit fee schedule; square footage unit costs referenced in the residential building handbook
- Payment note
- Payment made in person at time of application submission; no online payment portal for building permits confirmed
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet
- Fences not over 6 feet high
- Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons and height-to-diameter ratio does not exceed 2:1
- Painting, wallpaper, and similar finish work
Important: Work exempt from permit must still comply with applicable code provisions and zoning regulations.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- County building inspector: (605) 360-8507 (phone)
- State electrical inspector: (605) 201-0520 or (605) 251-5454 (phone)
- State plumbing inspector: (605) 773-3429 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Footing inspection, framing inspection, final inspection (county); electrical inspection (state); plumbing inspection (state)
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Application Forms
- Building Information and Handbook
- Code Enforcement
- Joint Zoning Ordinance with Dell Rapids
- County GIS Open Data
- 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 Minnehaha County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Minnehaha County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Minnehaha County, SD?
- New construction, additions, remodeling, and certain types of structural repair. A building permit authorizes the specific use and proper location of structures on the property.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Minnehaha County, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based per the county building permit fee schedule; square footage unit costs referenced in the residential building handbook.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Minnehaha County, SD?
- 1. Determine parcel location and applicable zoning district using county GIS tools or by calling the Planning and Zoning office at (605) 367-4204. 2. Confirm whether the project is within city limits (city jurisdiction) or unincorporated county area (county jurisdiction). 3. Download or pick up the appropriate application packet from the Planning and Zoning office or at https://www.minnehahacounty.gov/dept/pl/appForms/appForms.php. 4. Prepare required documents per the checklist included in the application packet (checklist varies by permit type). 5. Submit completed application and payment in person at the Courthouse Administration Building, 3rd Floor North. 6. Await review by Planning and Zoning staff. 7. Permit is issued; post permit at job site. 8. Schedule inspections with the county building inspector at (605) 360-8507. 9. State electrical inspections and state plumbing inspections are the applicant's responsibility to arrange separately.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Minnehaha County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet; Fences not over 6 feet high; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons and height-to-diameter ratio does not exceed 2:1; Painting, wallpaper, and similar finish work. Note: Work exempt from permit must still comply with applicable code provisions and zoning regulations.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Minnehaha County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: County building inspector: (605) 360-8507, State electrical inspector: (605) 201-0520 or (605) 251-5454, State plumbing inspector: (605) 773-3429.
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