Bolthole Index

Bon Homme County, South Dakota

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

Inside Springfield, South Dakota, a city building permit is required before any building or structure is erected, moved, added to or structurally altered, though agricultural structures are excluded1. The city runs its own zoning under Chapter 153 of its code2. Septic systems are regulated by the state, not the city3. Bon Homme County's zoning excludes Springfield4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the city for new, moved, added-to or structurally altered buildings; agricultural structures excluded15
Zoning
City zoning under Chapter 153; county zoning does not apply inside Springfield24
Septic
State DANR rules; the city does not run septic permits3
RV living
Not allowed on residential lots or unapproved locations; 24 hours of parking for loading and unloading6
Manufactured homes
Allowed outside parks only with foundation, city water and sewer, and a main body at least 20 feet wide7
R1 height
35 feet, or two and one-half stories8
Tiny homes
Not confirmed; ask the city Planning & Building office9

Who to call

Building permits

City of Springfield Planning & Building

City zoning, subdivision, floodplain information and building permits inside Springfield city limits

(605) 369-2311

605 8th Street PO Box 446 Springfield, SD 57062

Septic permits

South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems

State on-site wastewater (septic) requirements and questions

(605) 773-4647

[email protected]

523 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501-3182

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Springfield means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Springfield, SD have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, lot size and setbacks?

Springfield, South Dakota zones land inside city limits itself. Its Planning & Zoning Committee handles zoning applications, variances and special-use permits29. Bon Homme County's zoning ordinance expressly excludes Springfield, so the county's districts and lot rules do not apply here4.

In the R1 Single-Family Residential District, the city's building-permit application asks for at least 20 feet of front yard, 20 feet of rear yard, 6 feet on an interior side and 20 feet on a corner-lot side10. Structures in R1 are limited to 35 feet, or two and one-half stories8.

RVs cannot be lived in on a residential lot in Springfield: recreational equipment may not be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping on a residential lot or any location not approved for it6. Major recreational equipment may be parked on residential premises for up to 24 hours while loading or unloading6. We could not confirm tiny-home, accessory-dwelling or minimum-lot-size rules; ask the city's Planning & Building office9.

Do you need a building permit in Springfield, SD, and who issues it?

Yes. Springfield's Chapter 153 says no building or structure may be erected, moved in or out, added to or structurally altered without a permit from the city's Administrative Official1. The permit must conform to Chapter 153 unless the Board of Adjustment issues a written order for an administrative review, special exception or variance1. Agriculture and agriculturally-related structures are excluded5.

The city's residential application asks for owner, property, zoning, scope of work, contractor, dimensions, setbacks, water and sewer information, and scaled site plans, and says permits are issued only to the property owner11. An 811 locate call must be done before the application is approved11. Call the City of Springfield Planning & Building office at (605) 369-23119.

After issuance, a residential permit expires if work does not start within 90 days or is not substantially completed within two years11. Before occupying a new or changed building, the city also requires a certificate of zoning compliance from the Administrative Official12. We could not confirm which building-code edition the city enforces, so ask the office what inspections apply9.

What are the rules for manufactured and modular homes in Springfield, SD?

Springfield allows modular and manufactured homes outside manufactured-home parks only if they meet city standards7. The home needs a permanent foundation with frost footings and a perimeter enclosure like an exterior wall, and its main body must be at least 20 feet wide across the narrowest portion after assembly7. The city's zoning administrator or designee must inspect and approve the foundation and enclosure materials before the home is placed on the foundation13. The home must also connect to water and sewer through individual services and curb stops14.

How do septic permits work inside Springfield, SD?

Septic systems in Springfield fall under South Dakota's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), not the city. State rules in SDCL Chapter 34A-2 and ARSD Article 74:53:01 are minimum standards, and local governments may set stricter ones3. DANR asks to be contacted before any new on-site system is installed, except conventional systems serving an individual residence15. Plans must be submitted for systems other than a conventional individual on-site system15.

We could not confirm whether the city requires septic inspections, so ask Springfield Planning & Building before installing one9. Questions about state requirements go to DANR at (605) 773-464716.

Building a home in Springfield, SD: the steps, in order

  1. Call the City of Springfield Planning & Building office at (605) 369-2311 to confirm the lot's zoning district and setbacks9.
  2. Do the 811 locate call, which the city requires before it approves an application11.
  3. Apply for the city building permit; permits are issued only to the property owner11.
  4. For a manufactured or modular home, get the foundation and enclosure materials inspected before placement13.
  5. For septic, contact DANR first unless the system is a conventional one serving a single residence15.
  6. Obtain the certificate of zoning compliance before you use or occupy the building12.

What stays with Bon Homme County, and what to check before you buy near Springfield?

Land outside Springfield city limits follows a different set of rules. Bon Homme County's zoning ordinance applies only to unincorporated areas4, so check the Bon Homme County page before buying outside town.

Private wells are not settled by what we found for Springfield; statewide, a water-right permit may be required depending on use and must be approved before drilling, and a licensed well driller is needed17. Floodplain information is handled by the city's Planning & Building office9. Driveways onto a state highway need South Dakota Department of Transportation permission18. County figures: the effective property tax rate is 1.2%19.

Watch-outs

  • RV living is prohibited on residential lots in Springfield, so a camper is not a way to live on a town lot while you build6.
  • We could not confirm tiny-home, accessory-dwelling, short-term-rental or minimum-lot-size rules for Springfield; ask the City of Springfield Planning & Building office at (605) 369-2311 before you buy9.
  • Do not rely on Bon Homme County zoning or permit rules inside Springfield, because the county ordinance excludes the city4.

Sources

  1. § 153.241 Building Permits Required (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning & Building | City of Springfield, SD (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  3. South Dakota DANR One-Stop Permitting and Regulation Guide (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  4. Bon Homme County Zoning Ordinance No. 99-1, as amended, quoted and re-checked
  5. § 153.241 Building Permits Required (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  6. § 153.221 Parking, Storage, or Use of Recreational Equipment (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  7. § 153.224 Manufactured, Modular Home Standards (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  8. § 153.047 Maximum Height (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Springfield Planning & Building (springfieldsd.gov)
  10. City of Springfield Residential Building Permit Application (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  11. City of Springfield Residential Building Permit Application (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  12. § 153.243 Certificates of Zoning Compliance (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  13. § 153.224 Manufactured, Modular Home Standards (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  14. § 153.224 Manufactured, Modular Home Standards (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  15. South Dakota DANR One-Stop Permitting and Regulation Guide (Springfield), quoted and re-checked
  16. South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems (danr.sd.gov)
  17. South Dakota Water Rights — Drilling a Well (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Instructions: Applying for permission for driveway or intersection on a South Dakota state highway (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Springfield

Springfield’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and structures erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered inside Springfield city limits.

    • Permit must be issued by the Administrative Official.
    • Permit must conform to Chapter 153 unless the Board of Adjustment issues a written administrative-review, special-exception, or variance order.
    • Agriculture and agriculturally-related structures are excluded.
    “No building or other structure shall be erected, moved in or out, added to, or structurally altered without a permit therefor issued by the Administrative Official.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Modular and manufactured homes outside manufactured-home parks inside Springfield city limits.

    • Before placement on the foundation, the foundation and proposed perimeter-enclosure materials must be inspected and approved by the City Zoning Administrator or designee.
    “Prior to placement of a modular or manufactured home on the foundation, the foundation and materials proposed to enclose the home perimeter must be inspected and approved by the City Zoning Administrator, or his or her designee.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of buildings or premises created, erected, changed, converted, altered, or enlarged in use or structure inside Springfield city limits.

    • A certificate of zoning compliance must be issued by the Administrative Official and state that the proposed building or land use conforms to Chapter 153.
    “It shall be unlawful to use or occupy, or permit the use of occupancy, of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of zoning compliance shall have been issued therefor by the Administrative Official”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land and development within Springfield city limits.

    • Zoning applications, variances, and special-use permits are administered through the Planning & Zoning Committee.
    “The Code of Ordinances that govern the Planning and Building in our community can be found in Chapter 153 under Title XV: Land Usage”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational equipment used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping on residential lots in Springfield city limits.

    • The prohibition does not apply at a location approved for such use.
    • Major recreational equipment may be parked anywhere on residential premises for up to 24 hours during loading or unloading.

    loading or unloading parking duration: <= 24 hours (Major recreational equipment on residential premises)

    “No such equipment shall be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot, or any location not approved for such use.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Modular and manufactured homes outside manufactured-home parks inside Springfield city limits.

    • Permanent foundation with frost footings and an exterior-wall-like perimeter enclosure are required.
    • Water and sewer connection, lot and yard conformity, parking, roof, siding, width, orientation, anchoring, HUD standards, and neighborhood-pattern standards apply.
    • Foundation and proposed enclosure materials need zoning-administrator inspection and approval before placement.

    minimum main-body width: >= 20 feet (Measured across the narrowest portion after assembly on site)

    “All modular and manufactured homes not located in manufactured home parks shall:”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Modular and manufactured homes outside manufactured-home parks inside Springfield city limits.

    • The city requires connection to water and sewer lines through individual services and curb stops.
    “Connect to water and sewer lines via individual services and curb stops;”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Modular and manufactured homes outside manufactured-home parks inside Springfield city limits.

    • The home must connect through individual services and curb stops.
    • Other standards in § 153.224 also apply.
    “Connect to water and sewer lines via individual services and curb stops;”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable

    Agriculture and agriculturally-related structures inside Springfield city limits.

    • The exemption applies to the Chapter 153 building-permit requirement.
    “This section does not apply to agriculture or agriculturally-related structures.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdividing land within Springfield city limits.

    • Subdivisions must meet city standards for infrastructure and development.
    “Subdivision Regulations: They handle the regulations and requirements for subdividing land within Springfield. This includes ensuring that all subdivisions meet the city’s standards for infrastructure and development.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential-zoned building permit applications inside Springfield city limits.

    • An 811 locate call must be completed before application approval.
    • The application identifies an owner, property, zoning, scope of work, contractor, proposed-structure dimensions, setbacks, water/sewer information, and scaled site-plan materials.
    • The permit expires if work does not start within 90 days or is not substantially completed within two years.

    commencement deadline: <= 90 days (After permit issuance) · substantial completion deadline: <= 2 years (After permit issuance)

    “A LOCATE 811 CALL MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO APPROVAL OF APPLICATION!!! PERMITS ARE ISSUED ONLY TO PROPERTY OWNER!!!”

Rules another office applies inside Springfield

Springfield does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential-zoned building permits, including R1 Single-Family Residential District, inside Springfield city limits.

    • The cited application is for residential-zoned building permits.

    front yard: >= 20 feet · rear yard: >= 20 feet · side interior lot: >= 6 feet · side corner lot: >= 20 feet

    “This is for Residential Zoned Building permits only. Distance structure will be located from property lines:”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R1 Single-Family Residential District inside Springfield city limits.

    maximum height: 35 feet (or two and one-half stories)

    “All structures must be 35 feet, or two and one-half stories.”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater systems, including any such system proposed inside Springfield city limits.

    • State rules are minimum requirements; a local government may impose more stringent requirements.
    “The authority for regulating on-site wastewater systems is found in SDCL Chapter 34A-2. The regulations are in the ARSD Articles 74:53:01. These regulations are the state’s minimum requirements and standards, but local governments may have more stringent regulations.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    New on-site wastewater systems inside Springfield city limits when state review is applicable.

    • DANR says to contact it before installation of any new on-site system except conventional individual systems serving an individual residence.
    • Plans and specifications must be submitted for installations receiving human excreta other than a conventional individual onsite system.
    “You should contact DANR prior to the installation of any new on-site system except those conventional on-site systems serving an individual residence. DANR will review information about the on-site system to make sure it complies with the regulations.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Springfield or Bon Homme County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Springfield city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Construction inside Springfield city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — R1 Single-Family Residential District inside Springfield city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — R1 Single-Family Residential District inside Springfield city limits.
  • Lot coverage — R1 Single-Family Residential District inside Springfield city limits.
7 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Springfield publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Bon Homme County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Bon Homme County: county rules, score and offices