Bolthole Index

Clark County, South Dakota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Clark County, South Dakota

57Index Score / 100
#6 of 66 in South Dakota

Clark County, South Dakota requires a building permit under its county zoning system12. Start with Clark County Planning & Zoning because district standards and later amendments can change what fits a parcel34. South Dakota DANR administers on-site wastewater requirements statewide5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before erecting, converting, enlarging, reconstructing, or structurally altering any building16
Zoning
Yes, countywide, under Clark County's Zoning Ordinance, as amended7
Zoning map
Published by the county; confirm the parcel's district and later amendments3
RV and tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning before relying on either as a residence4
Septic
Regulated statewide by South Dakota DANR; only state-certified installers may build a system5
Owner-builder exemption
Yes, for electrical work on your own home/farmstead, with an approved homeowner permit8
County permit fees
Not confirmed on the county's accessible planning page; ask Planning & Zoning4

Who to call

Zoning

Clark County Planning & Zoning

Zoning and building permits for unincorporated Clark County, including permit issuance, ordinance enforcement, and the official zoning map

605-532-3751

2nd Floor, Courthouse, Clark, SD

Zoning

Clark County Zoning Ordinance

The county's adopted zoning ordinance (linked from the Planning & Zoning page): district regulations, area/setback requirements, manufactured-home and recreational-vehicle definitions, and permit/penalty provisions

Roads & driveways

Clark County Highway Superintendent

Maintains Clark County's road and bridge network; the office to ask about county road access to a rural parcel

605-532-3667

Courthouse, 2nd Floor, PO Box 294, Clark, SD

Septic permits

South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) – On-Site Wastewater Systems Program

Statewide on-site wastewater (septic) system design requirements, installer certification, and complaints, including for Clark County

(605) 773-4647

523 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501-3182

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Clark County, South Dakota?

Yes. Clark County requires a permit before a building is erected, enlarged, or structurally altered1. Clark County also administers a county zoning ordinance, while incorporated municipalities may have separate ordinances29. Ask Planning & Zoning which application and current district standards apply before ordering plans or beginning site work4. We could not confirm Clark County's permit fee, inspection sequence, adopted building code, or certificate-of-occupancy process, so ask the office for those details. A separate statewide construction-design rule excludes farmsteads, their accessory buildings, residences, and mobile or manufactured homes from the default design standard for work begun after July 1, 2026; that exclusion does not waive Clark County zoning or permitting10.

Who is the Clark County zoning office, and how do you reach them?

Start with Clark County Planning & Zoning on the second floor of the courthouse at 605-532-37514. The county page identifies the Planning & Zoning Officer and links the ordinance, zoning map, and recent amendment materials4. For questions about access from a county road, contact the Clark County Highway Superintendent at the courthouse, PO Box 294, Clark, SD, at 605-532-366711. South Dakota DANR administers the statewide on-site wastewater program; its listed program contact is at 523 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501-3182, at (605) 773-46471213. These are different approvals: a county land-use permit does not replace state electrical, plumbing, septic, water-right, or state-highway requirements14151617.

Does Clark County have zoning?

Yes. Clark County has a county zoning ordinance and zoning administration72. The county also publishes an official zoning map showing Commercial/Industrial, Town, and aquifer-protection districts, among other mapped areas3. That map is a starting point rather than a complete parcel answer because district regulations remain subject to the ordinance and later amendments3. Incorporated municipalities may administer separate ordinances, so confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Clark County before relying on the county office9. We could not confirm the current minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, building height, or minimum dwelling size. Give Planning & Zoning the parcel number and proposed use, then ask for the current ordinance section and every amendment that applies4.

How do septic permits work in Clark County?

South Dakota DANR administers the minimum requirements for individual and small on-site wastewater systems in Clark County, and local governments may impose stricter requirements13. Only a state-certified installer may construct a system, and mound designs go to DANR for approval5. Ask Clark County Planning & Zoning whether a parcel also has a local land-use or aquifer-overlay condition4. Site feasibility deserves attention because only 6.3% of Clark County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field18. If water or electricity is unavailable, state rules address vault privies, chemical toilets, incinerator toilets, and composting units; systems other than vault privies are treated as experimental and need plans approved before installation19. We could not confirm a general Clark County septic-inspection process, so get the required review and inspection sequence from DANR before hiring or excavating12.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Clark County?

We could not confirm whether Clark County allows full-time RV occupancy, temporary camping during construction, or a tiny home as a permanent dwelling. Do not treat that gap as permission. Ask Clark County Planning & Zoning about the exact parcel, zoning district, proposed duration, utility connections, and whether the unit will be on wheels or on a permanent foundation4. Manufactured-home occupancy, accessory dwellings, and minimum dwelling size also remain unconfirmed. South Dakota's sanitation rule answers only the waste-system side: where water or electricity is unavailable, specified unconventional systems may be used, with advance state approval required for experimental systems19. That sanitation option does not itself authorize residential occupancy. Get the county's written land-use answer before buying an RV or tiny home for the site, and separately confirm septic or approved off-grid sanitation with DANR412.

Building a home in Clark County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Clark County Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel's district, permitted use, current setbacks, and application requirements34.
  1. Apply for the required county building permit before construction1.
  1. Test septic feasibility early and coordinate the system with DANR because only 6.3% of county soils are rated without severe conventional-drain-field limitations1812.
  1. Determine whether the proposed well use needs a water-right permit; when one is required, approval must precede drilling2016.
  1. Secure state electrical and plumbing paperwork and inspections. Qualifying owners may perform wiring under the owner exemption, but must obtain the homeowner permit and pass final inspection before occupancy212215.
  1. Contact the Highway Superintendent about county-road access, or obtain South Dakota DOT permission before building an approach to a state highway1117.

What to check before you buy land in Clark County

Check the zoning map and obtain the current district standards before treating acreage as buildable34. Investigate septic feasibility early because only 6.3% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field18. Clark County is mostly gentle ground, with 98.7% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but just 1.7% is wooded, so a parcel may offer little natural wind cover2324. Annual precipitation is about 24.1 inches, and severe drought occurs in about 2.7% of years2526. Verify legal road access and ask the Highway Superintendent about a county-road approach; a connection to a state highway needs South Dakota DOT permission before construction1117. If a well is planned, determine whether the proposed use needs a water-right permit before drilling20. The effective property-tax rate is about 1%, and the median annual bill is about $1,3922728.

Watch-outs

  • Clark County's current permit fees, building-code adoption, inspection sequence, and certificate-of-occupancy process were not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning before budgeting or scheduling work4.
  • RV, temporary-camping, tiny-home, manufactured-home, and accessory-dwelling occupancy rules remain unconfirmed; get a parcel-specific answer from Planning & Zoning4.
  • Only 6.3% of Clark County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field; get a site evaluation before you make an offer on land that depends on a standard system18.

Sources

  1. Clark County Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  2. Planning & Zoning - Clark County, South Dakota, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  4. Clark County Planning & Zoning (clark.sdcounties.org)
  5. SD DANR Septic Tank Systems (2026 county census)
  6. Clark County Zoning Ordinance (clark.sdcounties.org)
  7. Planning & Zoning - Clark County, South Dakota (2026 county census)
  8. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (2026 county census)
  9. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  10. South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 11-10: Building Codes and Standards (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Clark County Highway Superintendent (clark.sdcounties.org)
  12. South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) – On-Site Wastewater Systems Program (danr.sd.gov)
  13. On-Site Wastewater Systems in South Dakota (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. South Dakota Electrical Wiring Rules Bulletin (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Inspections (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. South Dakota Water Rights — Drilling a Well (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Instructions: Applying for permission for driveway or intersection on a South Dakota state highway (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  19. Administrative Rule 74:53:01 — Individual and Small On-Site Wastewater Systems (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. South Dakota Water Rights - Drilling a Well, quoted and re-checked
  21. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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.

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County locator

Clark County in South Dakota

57
County map
Clark County highlighted among the South Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Clark County scores

Seclusion87100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency26100% ev.
Admin Boringness51100% ev.
Durability49100% ev.
Property Autonomy67100% ev.
Carry Cost7896% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$215kTypical home
1%Property tax
$4,741Land / acre
24.1"Annual rain
2.7% of yrsSevere drought
5.4 / yr (+4.6)Mid-century 100°F days
19.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.41" (+6.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.57×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,781Home insurance / yr
5.8% / yrInsurance growth
0.3%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
351People within 30 min
192,890People within 2 hr
2,861Radius comparison (15 mi)
4.1People / sq mi
30.5%Federal land
98.7%Land at 15% slope or less
6.3%Septic soil without severe limits
38,622 acWorkable land screen
1.7%Wooded land
88.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
43.4°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Clark County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Clark County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Clark County zoning ordinance and official zoning map.

    • The county page identifies Ordinance 01-14 as the county zoning ordinance, as amended.
    “BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CLARK COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA: that Article II DISTRICT REGULATIONS, adopted by Ordinance 01-14, as amended, of the Zoning Ordinance of Clark County be amended by adding the following use in bold and underline font to Section 2.04.04 Conditional Uses [Agricultural District]:”
  • Local zoningPresent

    County-level local zoning controls in Clark County; this does not establish that the county administers every incorporated-municipality ordinance.

    • The county maintains a county zoning ordinance and official zoning map.
    • Municipal rules may independently apply within incorporated municipalities.
    “Planning and Zoning Manual ( manual | Clark County Zoning Ordinance )”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Clark County zoning regulation; this claim does not represent incorporated municipalities' separate ordinances.
      “Jarvis Reidburn, Planning & Zoning Officer”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Clark County official zoning districts and map.

    • The official map identifies Commercial/Industrial, Town District, Aquifer Protection District Zone A, Aquifer Protection District Zone B, and municipalities.
    • The map states that it supersedes and replaces the map adopted by Ordinance 01-14.
    “Official Zoning Map Clark County "CI" Commercial/Industrial District "TD" Town District Aquifer Protection District - Zone A Aquifer Protection District - Zone B Municipalities”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Clark County zoning districts shown on the county's official zoning map.
      “Official Zoning Map Clark County "CI" Commercial/Industrial District "TD" Town District Aquifer Protection District - Zone A Aquifer Protection District - Zone B Municipalities”
  • Building permitRequired

    Clark County's zoning ordinance (Ord. 1-14) requires a permit before erecting, enlarging, or structurally altering any building, with penalties for starting work without one.

    Clark County Planning & Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

South Dakota rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual.

    • The exemption is from electrical licensure requirements, not from permitting or inspection.
    • An approved homeowner permit must be obtained before electrical work begins.
    • The exemption does not apply to commercial or rental property.
    • Mobile-home and modular-home installations are allowed only when the unit is on an owner-occupied lot at the time of installation; otherwise a licensed South Dakota electrical contractor is required.
    • A final inspection is required before occupancy.
    “an "owner's exemption" as an exemption from licensure requirements”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Plumbing installations in South Dakota outside cities that administer their own plumbing inspection requirements.

    • The exception is for cities with their own inspection requirements.
    • Inspection requests generally require at least 72 hours advance notice, excluding weekends and holidays.
    • Inspections occur after a plumbing installation certificate is secured.

    installation certificate fee: 20 USD · single-family inspection fee: 110 USD · small-structure inspection fee: 100 USD (Five or fewer fixtures.) · large-structure inspection fee: 275 USD (Six or more fixtures.)

    “You must have a plumbing inspection certificate for all plumbing installations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Who permits septicState

    On-site wastewater systems in Clark County under South Dakota minimum standards.

    • Local governments may impose more stringent regulations.
    • The state authority is found in SDCL Chapter 34A-2 and ARSD Article 74:53:01.
    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • State — Individual and small on-site wastewater systems statewide in South Dakota.
      “The authority for regulating on-site wastewater systems is found in SDCL Chapter 34A-2.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Sanitation systems where water or electrical systems are unavailable.

    • Vault privies, chemical toilets, incinerator toilets, or composting units must be used when a water or electrical system is unavailable.
    • Except for vault privies, unconventional systems are experimental systems and plans and specifications must be submitted for secretary approval before installation.
    “Vault privies, chemical toilets, incinerator toilets, or composting units shall be used when a water or electrical system is not available. With the exception of vault privies, all unconventional systems are considered experimental systems, and plans and specifications shall be submitted to the secretary for approval as an experimental system prior to installation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-well drilling and proposed water uses statewide in South Dakota.

    • A water-right permit is required only for proposed water uses that fall within the permitting requirements; the official page directs applicants to the Using Water in SD page to determine whether a permit is needed.
    • When a water-right permit is required, state law requires approval before well drilling.
    • The chief engineer may permit construction of a test well before obtaining the water-right permit; the test well may serve as the production well if the application is approved.
    • A water-right permit, when required and approved, provides five years to construct the water-use system and an additional four years to place all water to beneficial use.
    • A well driller's license is required before drilling any well or contracting to drill a well.

    construction period after water-right permit approval: 5 years · period to place water to beneficial use: 4 years

    “If a water right permit is needed, state law requires the permit to be approved prior to doing any well drilling.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Water wells and water uses in Clark County.
      “If a water right permit is needed, state law requires the permit to be approved prior to doing any well drilling.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Farmsteads and accessory structures or buildings thereto under South Dakota's default construction-design standard when the local unit of government has not adopted an ordinance prescribing standards under SDCL 11-10-5.

    • The default standard applies to building work commenced after July 1, 2026.
    • The local unit of government may adopt an ordinance allowing local administration and enforcement of the design standard.
    • The exclusion is from SDCL 11-10-6's default 2024 International Building Code design standard; it does not establish that all local zoning, building, occupancy, or other requirements are waived.
    • The statute defines farmstead as a farm or ranch, including any structure or building located on the land.
    • Residential structures and mobile or manufactured homes are also excluded from this specific default-standard provision.

    construction commencement date: > 2026-07-01 (The provision applies to buildings commenced after July 1, 2026.) · building standard: 2024 International Building Code (The default standard does not apply to a farmstead or accessory structure or building thereto.)

    “farmstead and any accessory structure or building thereto.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    New or modified driveways and intersections connecting to South Dakota state highways.

    • Permission from the South Dakota Department of Transportation is required for access to a state highway.
    • The application may require an access approach design, vicinity map, estimated traffic volumes, three copies of a site plan, traffic-control plan, liability insurance, development plan, drainage plan, traffic-impact study, and revegetation plan.
    • Construction cannot begin until the access permit is issued.
    • The permittee pays construction, maintenance, and removal costs.
    • The permit expires if access is not under construction within one year, subject to one written one-year extension.
    • Access construction must be completed within 45 days after initiation within the highway right-of-way.

    application review update threshold: 30 days (If the application is not completed within 30 days, a Department employee will contact the applicant with an update.) · construction completion period: 45 days (Measured from initiation of construction within the highway right-of-way.)

    “Construction of the access shall not proceed until the access permit is issued. The access shall be completed in an expeditious and safe manner and shall be finished within 45 days from the initiation of construction within the highway right-of-way.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in floodplains within South Dakota communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, including incorporated and unincorporated areas administered separately by local governments.

    • Participating communities must adopt and enforce a flood-damage-prevention ordinance.
    • Permits are required for all types of development in the floodplain.
    • New or substantially improved homes and manufactured homes must be elevated above the Base Flood Elevation.
    • Non-residential buildings must be elevated or flood-proofed.
    • Elevation Certificates are required to document compliance.
    • NFIP participation and eligibility are established separately for incorporated and unincorporated areas; the source does not establish a single uniform permit process for every South Dakota location.
    “Require permits for all types of development in the floodplain.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    South Dakota state electrical wiring permits, including residential and farmstead wiring subject to state administration.

    • A wiring permit is required for electrical service entrances over 60 amperes, owner-exemption wiring, and other installations with an estimated inspection fee of at least $30.
    • Local inspection systems may have their own procedures, inspection fees, and regulations.
    • Inspection fees are separate from the $20 wiring-permit fee.

    wiring permit fee: 20 USD · permit validity: 3 years (A new permit is required if the installation extends beyond three years.) · late permit administrative fee: 250 USD (Applies when the permit is not dated at job start or is not renewed before expiration.)

    “A wiring permit may be obtained for twenty dollars from the commission office. A wiring permit is valid for three years from the date the permit is issued.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    South Dakota state electrical wiring permits and inspections.

    • The installer must send the white permit copy to the Commission within 15 calendar days after starting the installation.
    • The permit hard copy must be posted at the job site when electrical work starts.
    • At least 72 hours' notice is required before inspection.
    • A rough-in inspection must occur before wiring is covered, and a final inspection is required before occupancy.
    • Homeowner permits are limited to qualifying owner-occupied residences or farmsteads and cannot be used for commercial or rental property.

    white permit copy submission deadline: 15 calendar days after starting installation · inspection notice: >= 72 hours

    “Within fifteen calendar days after starting an electrical installation, the installer shall send the white copy to the office of the commission.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    South Dakota county boards' authority to adopt zoning ordinances, including for unincorporated county land.

    • The authority is granted for promoting the health, safety, or general welfare of the county.
    • The statute authorizes regulation of building and land-use characteristics including height, number of stories, building and structure size, lot coverage, yards, courts, open spaces, population density, and locations and uses of buildings, structures, and land.
    • The authorized purposes expressly include trade, industry, residence, flood plain, and other purposes.
    • This claim identifies statewide enabling authority; whether a particular county has adopted an ordinance is a separate local question.
    “For the purpose of promoting health, safety, or the general welfare of the county the board may adopt a zoning ordinance to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of the yards, courts, and other open spaces, the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, flood plain, or other purposes.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable in Clark County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Clark County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Clark County zoning districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Clark County zoning districts.
  • Setbacks — Setback requirements in Clark County zoning districts.
11 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Subdividing land
  • 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.

Living off-grid in Clark County, South Dakota

Is Clark County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Clark County scores 57/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 351 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (24.1″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Clark County, South Dakota?

Clark County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Clark County, South Dakota?

Land in Clark County runs about $4,741 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Clark County?

Clark County gets about 24.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.7% of years.

How remote is Clark County?

A representative private-land location has about 351 people within a 30-minute drive and 192,890 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Clark compares in South Dakota

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