County Building Permits
Pennington County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pennington County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
This department has permit authority over all unincorporated areas of Pennington County, including communities such as Caputa, Rapid Valley, Colonial Pine Hills, and other areas outside any incorporated city or town limits. The department also handles septic permits, conditional use permits, floodplain reviews, and subdivision approvals.
- Department
- Pennington County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- 900 Concourse Dr., Suite 160, Rapid City, SD 57703
- Phone
- 605-394-2186
- plz@pennco.org
- Website
- https://pennco.org/planning
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Email/Mail/In-person • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine the project type and confirm that the property is in an unincorporated area of Pennington County (not within any city or town limits).
- Download permit application forms from https://pennco.org/index.asp?SEC=AF91AF80-1641-43F9-BA8D-FBE52BA1E5D7 or pick them up at the office.
- Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan, construction drawings, and any additional materials per project type (septic, floodplain, subdivision, etc.).
- Submit the application by email to plz@pennco.org, by US Mail to PO Box 6160, Rapid City, SD 57709, or in person at 900 Concourse Dr., Suite 160.
- Department reviews the application for code and ordinance compliance.
- Fee is assessed and paid.
- Permit is issued.
- Schedule required inspections by contacting the Planning and Zoning Department.
- Final inspection and close-out.
Typical processing time: Not confirmed for standard building permits; contact the department.
General Requirements
Required for construction, structural alterations, and certain land-use changes in unincorporated Pennington County. Regulated under the Pennington County Building Code and Construction Ordinance (Ordinance 735) and the Pennington County Zoning Ordinance.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Site plan
- Construction drawings
- Additional documents for specialized permits (septic, floodplain, subdivision)
- Permit validity
- Not confirmed in public sources; contact the department.
- Building code
- Pennington County Building Code and Construction Ordinance (Ordinance 735) and Pennington County Zoning Ordinance (revised January 7, 2026).
- Owner-builder
- Not confirmed; contact the department.
- Contractor requirements
- Not explicitly confirmed in public sources for county-level permits; state licensing for electrical and plumbing applies.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Not confirmed in public search results; a preliminary subdivision plat fee of $350 plus $25 per lot was found as one example.
- Payment note
- Credit card accepted with 2.49% processing fee. Other payment methods available at the office.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025-07-01).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Accessory structures 400 square feet or less are exempt from building inspection requirements (per Pennington County Building Code and Construction Ordinance 735)
- Agricultural structures may have additional or different exemptions
Important: Review Ordinance 735 or contact the department for complete exemption details.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 605-394-2186 (phone)
- plz@pennco.org (email)
- Inspection hours
- Office hours are 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Typical inspection sequence: Per adopted county building ordinance; contact department for specific sequence.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Pennington County Building Code and Construction Ordinance (Ordinance 735) and Pennington County Zoning Ordinance (revised January 7, 2026).
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Ordinances Overview
- Development Guide
- Building Code Ordinance 735
- Pennington County Home
- 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 Pennington County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pennington County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Pennington County, SD?
- Required for construction, structural alterations, and certain land-use changes in unincorporated Pennington County. Regulated under the Pennington County Building Code and Construction Ordinance (Ordinance 735) and the Pennington County Zoning Ordinance.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Pennington County, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Not confirmed in public search results; a preliminary subdivision plat fee of $350 plus $25 per lot was found as one example..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pennington County, SD?
- 1. Determine the project type and confirm that the property is in an unincorporated area of Pennington County (not within any city or town limits). 2. Download permit application forms from https://pennco.org/index.asp?SEC=AF91AF80-1641-43F9-BA8D-FBE52BA1E5D7 or pick them up at the office. 3. Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan, construction drawings, and any additional materials per project type (septic, floodplain, subdivision, etc.). 4. Submit the application by email to plz@pennco.org, by US Mail to PO Box 6160, Rapid City, SD 57709, or in person at 900 Concourse Dr., Suite 160. 5. Department reviews the application for code and ordinance compliance. 6. Fee is assessed and paid. 7. Permit is issued. 8. Schedule required inspections by contacting the Planning and Zoning Department. 9. Final inspection and close-out.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Pennington County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not confirmed for standard building permits; contact the department..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Pennington County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures 400 square feet or less are exempt from building inspection requirements (per Pennington County Building Code and Construction Ordinance 735); Agricultural structures may have additional or different exemptions. Note: Review Ordinance 735 or contact the department for complete exemption details.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pennington County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 605-394-2186, plz@pennco.org.
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