Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Plankinton, South Dakota

Plankinton’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction of structures or substantial improvements inside Plankinton city

  • Permit issued by the city building inspector
  • Permit is issued only if the improvement conforms to city ordinances and state law

  “no person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or any other legal entity shall construct or cause to be constructed any structure or substantial improvement to any structure (residential, industrial, commercial or otherwise) without first obtaining a permit to construct same from the building inspector”

• InspectionsRequired

  Newly constructed buildings inside Plankinton city

  • Inspection precedes issuance of the occupancy certificate
  • Plumbing inspections are performed by the state per § 151.25

  “the building inspector shall issue an occupancy certificate upon completion of the building in conformance with the ordinances of this city and after inspection of the same.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Newly constructed buildings inside Plankinton city

  • Issued by the building inspector after inspection and conformance with city ordinances

  “before the owner may cause a newly constructed building to be occupied, he or she must first obtain a certificate of occupancy from the building inspector.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile, house trailer, modular and manufactured homes brought into or moved within Plankinton city

  • Building permit approved by the building inspector before moving in
  • Homes over ten years old need prior city council approval
  • Homes under 14 feet wide need prior city council approval
  • Must hook up to city water, sewer and electrical unless council approves otherwise
  • Must meet building, fire, safety, electrical and plumbing codes in existence at time of manufacture
  • Anchored per manufacturer's specifications

  maximum age without council approval: <= 10 years (council may approve older homes) · minimum width without council approval: >= 14 feet (council may approve narrower homes)

  “no mobile home shall be brought into the city that is more than ten years in age, unless it has received prior approval from the city council.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Mobile, modular and manufactured homes brought into Plankinton city; a general rule for site-built homes was not found

  • Council may grant prior approval to skip the hookup
  • Definition excludes campers, RVs and travel trailers used only for camping or occasional overnight use and not connected to city services

  “every mobile home must be hooked up to city water, sewer and electrical services unless it has received prior approval for the city council.”

• Subdividing landLimited

  Proposed subdivisions and land use areas inside Plankinton city (flood-hazard review only)

  • The section found covers flood-damage review only; a general subdivision ordinance was not found

  “proposed subdivisions and land use areas shall be reviewed to assure that: (a) all proposals for construction provide for methods to minimize flood damage;”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Building permits for sites inside Plankinton city with a flood hazard

  • Chapter 153 (Flood Damage Prevention) was not opened; this reflects the flood provisions in § 151.04
  • If a flood hazard exists, new construction or substantial improvement (including prefabricated and mobile homes) must be anchored, use flood-resistant materials and use flood-minimizing methods

  “a building permit shall be issued by the city, only after the building inspector has determined that the proposed building site is reasonably safe from flooding;”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit applications inside Plankinton city

  • Application in duplicate with a scaled sketch, owner name, contractor, legal description and plans
  • Fee retained whether or not the application is granted (§ 150.64)
  • Permit expires if construction does not start within 60 days (§ 150.66)
  • Permit must be posted on the premises (§ 150.68)

  “to obtain a building permit from the building inspector, the applicant must make application to the building inspector in duplicate on blanks to be furnished by the city.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Plankinton or Aurora County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Plankinton city
• Local zoning — Zoning inside Plankinton city
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Plankinton city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Plankinton city
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Plankinton city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.