Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-09-12
65 of South Dakota's 66 counties — 98% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 10th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Custer County (68/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 1516 counties nationwide → South Dakota: no building codes → South Dakota: no zoning → South Dakota: no codes, no zoning → South Dakota: no minimum home size → Full South Dakota profile →
65 of 66 South Dakota counties · sorted by Index score
Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Pennington County Ordinance 735 exempts a homeowner from the county contractor license when personally building, altering, adding to, or demolishing the owner’s residence or an …
Pennington County Ordinance 735 - Building Code and Contractor Licensing ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Stanley County’s official building-permit application expressly provides a signature line for the owner when acting as owner-builder. The owner-builder still must obtain and com…
Stanley County Building Permit Application ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Statewide rule. An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual. The exemption is fr…
South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the South Dakota state page for all 66 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
