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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Roberts County
A construction permit is required for new construction of residential, commercial, or agricultural structures; building additions and expansions; decks, garages, sheds, and other accessory structures (subject to exceptions); alterations to existing structures; change of occupancy; and new installations or changes to mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems in unincorporated Roberts County.
One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet
Decks not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade without railings
Interior finishes (painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops)
Platforms and driveways under 30 inches in height
Above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep
Retaining walls less than 4 feet in height
Certain agricultural structures meeting specific size and use criteria
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet
- Exempt Decks not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade without railings
- Exempt Interior finishes (painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops)
- Exempt Platforms and driveways under 30 inches in height
- Exempt Above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Retaining walls less than 4 feet in height
- Exempt Certain agricultural structures meeting specific size and use criteria
Note: Exemptions vary by specific criteria. Contact Planning and Zoning Office at (605) 698-5036 to confirm exemption eligibility for your project.
Required documents
- Completed Roberts County Building Permit Application
- Plot plan drawn to scale showing property lines, easements, proposed building location, and distances to property lines and existing buildings
- Building plans including floor plan, wall sections, and elevations
- Property address and legal description
- Complete list of contractors
- Total project cost (excluding land)
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC) as minimum standard per South Dakota Codified Laws Chapter 11-10. Related codes: NFPA 70 (Electrical, 2023, effective Nov 12, 2024), UPC 2024 (Plumbing, effective Oct 28, 2025), IMC 2015 (Mechanical), IFC 2015 (Fire), IECC 2009 (Energy, voluntary for residential).
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact Planning and Zoning Office for permit validity period.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated; contact Planning and Zoning Office.
- Contractor requirements
- State registration under SDCL Chapter 36-21C (administered by SD Department of Labor and Regulation) required for residential contractors. Electrical and plumbing work requires state-licensed contractor.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 2-4 days for minor/small projects; 1-4 weeks for larger projects. Contact office for project-specific estimates.
- 01 Contact Roberts County Planning and Zoning Office by phone at (605) 698-5036 or visit in person during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, 12:30 PM-4:30 PM).
- 02 Describe the proposed project to determine permit requirements.
- 03 Obtain and complete the Roberts County Building Permit Application form.
- 04 Prepare required documentation: plot plan (to scale), building plans, property description, contractor list, and project cost estimate.
- 05 Submit application with all required documents to the Planning and Zoning Office.
- 06 Staff reviews application for compliance with Roberts County Zoning Ordinance and building code standards.
- 07 Pay applicable permit fee.
- 08 Receive issued permit and post on site before construction begins.
- 09 Request required inspections per permit conditions.
Typical processing time: 2-4 days for minor/small projects; 1-4 weeks for larger projects. Contact office for project-specific estimates.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Roberts County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Roberts County maintains a comprehensive Permit Fee Schedule for various construction types. Contact Planning and Zoning Office at (605) 698-5036 for current fee amounts.
02
Penalty (no permit)
Minimum $50 fine or double the permit fee for working without required permits.
Contact Planning and Zoning Office for fee schedule and payment procedures.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (605) 698-5036 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact Planning and Zoning Office.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, 12:30 PM-4:30 PM
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact Planning and Zoning Office.
Typical sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact Planning and Zoning Office.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Roberts County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Roberts County, SD? ▸
A construction permit is required for new construction of residential, commercial, or agricultural structures; building additions and expansions; decks, garages, sheds, and other accessory structures (subject to exceptions); alterations to existing structures; change of occupancy; and new installations or changes to mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems in unincorporated Roberts County.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Roberts County, SD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Roberts County, SD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Roberts County maintains a comprehensive Permit Fee Schedule for various construction types. Contact Planning and Zoning Office at (605) 698-5036 for current fee amounts..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Roberts County, SD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Roberts County, SD, follow these steps: 1. Contact Roberts County Planning and Zoning Office by phone at (605) 698-5036 or visit in person during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, 12:30 PM-4:30 PM). 2. Describe the proposed project to determine permit requirements. 3. Obtain and complete the Roberts County Building Permit Application form. 4. Prepare required documentation: plot plan (to scale), building plans, property description, contractor list, and project cost estimate. 5. Submit application with all required documents to the Planning and Zoning Office. 6. Staff reviews application for compliance with Roberts County Zoning Ordinance and building code standards. 7. Pay applicable permit fee. 8. Receive issued permit and post on site before construction begins. 9. Request required inspections per permit conditions.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Roberts County, SD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Roberts County, SD typically run 2-4 days for minor/small projects; 1-4 weeks for larger projects. Contact office for project-specific estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Roberts County, SD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Roberts County, SD. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet; Decks not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade without railings; Interior finishes (painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops); Platforms and driveways under 30 inches in height; Above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep; Retaining walls less than 4 feet in height; Certain agricultural structures meeting specific size and use criteria. Note: Exemptions vary by specific criteria. Contact Planning and Zoning Office at (605) 698-5036 to confirm exemption eligibility for your project. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Roberts County, SD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Roberts County, SD via: (605) 698-5036. Not publicly stated; contact Planning and Zoning Office..
last verified April 2026
source Roberts County Planning and Zoning Office ↗
entry id permits/south-dakota/roberts/roberts-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Roberts County Planning and Zoning Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.