County Building Permits
Turner County, SD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Turner County, South Dakota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Turner County land. County Clerk's Office files and issues permits. Incorporated cities (Parker, Marion, Viborg, Chancellor, Hurley) are responsible for their own permitting.
- Department
- Turner County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- Turner County Court House, Parker, SD
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person / Phone / Appointment • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact Turner County Planning and Zoning Department or visit the Turner County Court House in Parker.
- Obtain and complete the building permit application form.
- Submit application with required documentation: site plan, floor plans, elevation drawings, material specifications, and proof of property ownership.
- County Planning and Zoning reviews application for compliance with building codes, zoning regulations, and setback requirements.
- Applicant pays applicable permit fees before final approval.
- County issues permit once all review criteria are satisfied.
- Work may commence after permit issuance.
- Schedule and complete required inspections during and after construction (foundation, framing, mechanical, final).
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate
General Requirements
A building permit is required for new dwelling construction, moving/relocation of structures, renovations and repairs requiring structural or code modifications, demolition, installation or repair of septic systems, land development and site improvements, fence construction (varies by zoning district), and utility installations and infrastructure work.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application form (signed and dated)
- Site plan showing property boundaries and building location with setbacks
- Floor plans and elevation drawings
- Specifications for materials and construction methods
- Proof of property ownership or authorization
- Foundation plans for structures
- Utility connections specifications
- Septic system design (if applicable)
- Permit validity
- Construction or work authorized by permit must be started within 60 days of permit issuance. Work must be completed within one year from date of approval. Extensions may be available; contact County Planning and Zoning.
- Building code
- Turner County adopted the 2008 Revised Zoning Ordinance (effective October 8, 2008). South Dakota state law permits local jurisdictions to adopt building code standards; many counties reference the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC). Contact Turner County Planning and Zoning directly to confirm which specific code edition is currently enforced, as adoption can vary and be updated periodically.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Contractor requirements
- State registration under SDCL 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 regardless of project size.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Permit fees are typically based on project valuation, square footage of construction, type of work (new construction, renovation, repair, demolition), and septic system installation/repair. Specific formula not publicly listed.
- Payment note
- Contact Turner County Planning and Zoning for current fee schedule. Payment likely made in person at Turner County Court House in Parker. Fee schedule not publicly posted on the county website.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Turner County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact Turner County Planning and Zoning (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Inspection hours
- Not publicly stated; contact department
- Time windows
- Not publicly detailed; contact department
Typical inspection sequence: All construction work requiring a permit must remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the county building inspector. Typical inspection points: foundation inspection (after footings and before concrete pour), framing inspection (after structure is framed), mechanical inspection (plumbing, electrical, HVAC systems), and final inspection (upon completion of work).
Additional Resources
- Building code: Turner County adopted the 2008 Revised Zoning Ordinance (effective October 8, 2008). South Dakota state law permits local jurisdictions to adopt building code standards; many counties reference the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC). Contact Turner County Planning and Zoning directly to confirm which specific code edition is currently enforced, as adoption can vary and be updated periodically.
- 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 Turner County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turner County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Turner County, SD?
- A building permit is required for new dwelling construction, moving/relocation of structures, renovations and repairs requiring structural or code modifications, demolition, installation or repair of septic systems, land development and site improvements, fence construction (varies by zoning district), and utility installations and infrastructure work.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Turner County, SD?
- Fees are calculated as: Permit fees are typically based on project valuation, square footage of construction, type of work (new construction, renovation, repair, demolition), and septic system installation/repair. Specific formula not publicly listed..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Turner County, SD?
- 1. Contact Turner County Planning and Zoning Department or visit the Turner County Court House in Parker. 2. Obtain and complete the building permit application form. 3. Submit application with required documentation: site plan, floor plans, elevation drawings, material specifications, and proof of property ownership. 4. County Planning and Zoning reviews application for compliance with building codes, zoning regulations, and setback requirements. 5. Applicant pays applicable permit fees before final approval. 6. County issues permit once all review criteria are satisfied. 7. Work may commence after permit issuance. 8. Schedule and complete required inspections during and after construction (foundation, framing, mechanical, final).
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Turner County, SD?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimate.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Turner County, SD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact Turner County Planning and Zoning. Not publicly stated; contact department.
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