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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Pennington County
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.
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
- Exempt Accessory structures 400 square feet or less are exempt from building inspection requirements (per Pennington County Building Code and Construction Ordinance 735)
- Exempt Agricultural structures may have additional or different exemptions
Note: Review Ordinance 735 or contact the department for complete exemption details.
Required documents
- Permit application
- Site plan
- Construction drawings
- Additional documents for specialized permits (septic, floodplain, subdivision)
- Building code
- Pennington County Building Code and Construction Ordinance (Ordinance 735) and Pennington County Zoning Ordinance (revised January 7, 2026).
- Permit validity
- Not confirmed in public sources; contact the department.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not confirmed for standard building permits; contact the department.
- 01 Determine the project type and confirm that the property is in an unincorporated area of Pennington County (not within any city or town limits).
- 02 Download permit application forms from https://pennco.org/index.asp?SEC=AF91AF80-1641-43F9-BA8D-FBE52BA1E5D7 or pick them up at the office.
- 03 Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan, construction drawings, and any additional materials per project type (septic, floodplain, subdivision, etc.).
- 04 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.
- 05 Department reviews the application for code and ordinance compliance.
- 06 Fee is assessed and paid.
- 07 Permit is issued.
- 08 Schedule required inspections by contacting the Planning and Zoning Department.
- 09 Final inspection and close-out.
Typical processing time: Not confirmed for standard building permits; contact the department.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2025-07-01
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
Credit card accepted with 2.49% processing fee. Other payment methods available at the office.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2025-07-01) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: Per adopted county building ordinance; contact department for specific sequence.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Pennington County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Pennington County, SD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Pennington County, SD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pennington County, SD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pennington County, SD, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Pennington County, SD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Pennington County, SD typically run Not confirmed for standard building permits; contact the department.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Pennington County, SD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pennington County, SD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pennington County, SD via: 605-394-2186, plz@pennco.org.
last verified April 2026
source Pennington County Planning and Zoning Department ↗
entry id permits/south-dakota/pennington/pennington-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Pennington County Planning and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.