County Building Permits
Stanley County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stanley County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Stanley County areas including the three unorganized territories: Lower Brule, North Stanley, and South Stanley. Excludes the incorporated City of Fort Pierre (which falls under the City's jurisdiction within its corporate limits and one-mile extra-territorial zoning radius).
- Department
- Stanley County Planning & Zoning Department
- Address
- Stanley County Courthouse, 08 E 2nd Avenue, Fort Pierre, SD 57532
- Phone
- 605-223-7780
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Phone / Mail • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact the Stanley County Planning & Zoning Department at 605-223-7780 or visit in person at the Stanley County Courthouse during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT).
- Describe the proposed project to determine what permit type is required.
- Obtain and complete the applicable permit application form.
- Prepare a site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location.
- Submit the application with site plan and required documents. NOTE: Applications must NOT be submitted by email or fax; they must be mailed or dropped off at the courthouse.
- Original signatures are required on all forms.
- Pay the applicable permit fee at the time of submission.
- Receive the issued permit and post it on-site before construction begins.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact the department for current estimate
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all structures in unincorporated Stanley County before any building or other structure is erected, moved, added to, or changed in use. This includes agricultural structures, animal confinement and feeding operations, sheds, garages, and pole buildings.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application form
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
- Property description
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated; contact the department
- Building code
- South Dakota adopts the International Building Code 2015 Edition, International Fire Code 2015 Edition, and International Mechanical Code 2015 Edition (as modified by South Dakota Administrative Rules). Local jurisdictions may adopt the 2021 edition of International Building Code if they adopt any standards for new construction.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated; contact the department
- Contractor requirements
- State registration under South Dakota Codified Law 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.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $25.00
- Permit fee formula
- All structures including animal confinement and feeding operations: $25.00 minimum fee plus $1 per thousand dollars of construction value
- Penalty (no permit)
- Penalty of $50-$200+ for work started without a permit
- Payment note
- Payment is required at the time of application submission. Fee must be included with the application.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Stanley County Planning & Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 605-223-7780 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact the department
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact the department
Typical inspection sequence: Not publicly detailed; contact the department
Additional Resources
- Building code: South Dakota adopts the International Building Code 2015 Edition, International Fire Code 2015 Edition, and International Mechanical Code 2015 Edition (as modified by South Dakota Administrative Rules). Local jurisdictions may adopt the 2021 edition of International Building Code if they adopt any standards for new construction.
- 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 Stanley County Planning & Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stanley County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stanley County, SD?
- A building permit is required for all structures in unincorporated Stanley County before any building or other structure is erected, moved, added to, or changed in use. This includes agricultural structures, animal confinement and feeding operations, sheds, garages, and pole buildings.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Stanley County, SD?
- The minimum permit fee is $25.00. Fees are calculated as: All structures including animal confinement and feeding operations: $25.00 minimum fee plus $1 per thousand dollars of construction value.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stanley County, SD?
- 1. Contact the Stanley County Planning & Zoning Department at 605-223-7780 or visit in person at the Stanley County Courthouse during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT). 2. Describe the proposed project to determine what permit type is required. 3. Obtain and complete the applicable permit application form. 4. Prepare a site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location. 5. Submit the application with site plan and required documents. NOTE: Applications must NOT be submitted by email or fax; they must be mailed or dropped off at the courthouse. 6. Original signatures are required on all forms. 7. Pay the applicable permit fee at the time of submission. 8. Receive the issued permit and post it on-site before construction begins.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Stanley County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact the department for current estimate.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stanley County, SD?
- The following work is generally exempt: Routine agricultural work and normal farming operations may not require a county construction permit (South Dakota county zoning statutes allow exemptions for agricultural activities; confirm with the Planning & Zoning Department). Note: Specific exempt categories are not publicly enumerated on the county website. The department advises contacting them directly (605-223-7780) to determine permit necessity for any project.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stanley County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 605-223-7780. Not publicly stated; contact the department.
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