Bolthole Index

Custer County, South Dakota

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

70Index Score / 100
#1 of 66 in South Dakota

Unincorporated Custer County, South Dakota requires a county building permit for structures over 160 square feet, including new and used mobile or modular homes1. The county has not adopted zoning or building codes, but its subdivision, wastewater, floodplain and access rules still apply23. Start with the Custer County Planning and Economic Department, which publishes the applications and an online permit portal4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for structures over 160 square feet in unincorporated Custer County1
County zoning
No county zoning, though subdivision, wastewater, floodplain and access rules still apply2
Building codes
No county building code; state plumbing and electrical inspections still apply35
Septic permit
$500 county wastewater permit; state-certified installer required67
RV or tiny-home living
Occupancy rules not confirmed; ask the Planning and Economic Department before relying on either use4
Owner-builder electrical work
Allowed for a qualifying owner-occupied residence or farmstead with a state homeowner permit and inspections8
County-road access
$250 approach permit and verified recorded access required before other county permits9
Septic soil difficulty
Only 14.8% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field10

Who to call

Building permits

Custer County Planning and Economic Department

Building, approach, wastewater, subdivision and floodplain permits in Custer County

(605) 673-8174

420 Mount Rushmore Road, Custer, SD 57730-1934

Online permits →

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 Custer County, South Dakota?

Yes, for most structures in unincorporated Custer County. A county building permit is required for every structure over 160 square feet, including a new or used mobile or modular home1. A non-living structure with no water and no sewer that is 160 square feet or smaller uses the county's no-permit form instead1. The residential charge includes a $100 application fee plus $0.30 per square foot, while garages and outbuildings are charged at $0.15 per square foot111. Custer County does not inspect footings, foundations, framing or the finished structure, but it does require final inspections of access approaches and individual wastewater systems; South Dakota handles plumbing and electrical inspections5.

Who is the Custer County building department, and how do you reach it?

The Custer County Planning and Economic Department is the permit office for building, approach, wastewater, subdivision and floodplain matters. Its office is at 420 Mount Rushmore Road, Custer, SD 57730-1934, and its phone number is (605) 673-81744. The department publishes downloadable applications and an online application portal4. Before issuing permits, the county requires proof of ownership for newly purchased property and verification of recorded access; permits go only to the owner or a designated agent129. Submit a complete application, then pay the required fees when the permit is issued; starting regulated work first triggers a late application fee12. Because there is no county building code, the county permit is principally a land-development process, not a full structural plan-review and inspection program35.

Does Custer County have zoning?

Custer County has no county zoning, and unincorporated Custer County has not adopted a building code23. That does not make a parcel unrestricted: the county still regulates subdivision, wastewater, floodplain development and access2. Every land division outside municipal or unincorporated-town boundaries goes through either Access Map Review or Plat Review, with public-access and road-construction standards applying13. The reviewed county materials do not confirm countywide rules for minimum home size, ordinary setbacks, RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy or short-term rentals. Ask the Custer County Planning and Economic Department about the specific parcel and proposed use before buying or placing a dwelling4. Land inside a city is outside this unincorporated-county answer and may be subject to municipal rules.

How do septic permits work in Custer County?

Custer County requires a wastewater permit when a septic system is installed, constructed, modified, extended, replaced or relocated6. The Custer County Planning Office approves the permit, installation may begin only after approval, and the installer must be certified by South Dakota7. Where applicable, a percolation test by a state-certified wastewater installer is required before issuance6. The wastewater permit fee is $5006. The Planning Department must inspect every wastewater installation before any part of the system is covered14. Site conditions deserve early attention because only 14.8% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field10. Alternative off-grid sanitation is governed separately: South Dakota permits specified unconventional systems where water or electrical service is unavailable, but systems other than vault privies require state approval before installation15.

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

Custer County's lack of county zoning does not by itself confirm that full-time RV occupancy or tiny-home occupancy is allowed2. The reviewed county materials do not answer either occupancy question, so ask the Custer County Planning and Economic Department about the specific parcel, sanitation plan and proposed duration before relying on an RV or tiny home as a residence4. A tiny home or similar structure over 160 square feet needs a county building permit, and the narrow no-permit path is only for a non-living structure with no water and no sewer that is 160 square feet or smaller1. Mobile and modular homes are expressly included in the permit requirement1. Any septic work still requires county approval and a state-certified installer67.

How do you build a home in Custer County, step by step?

  1. Confirm ownership and recorded access, because Custer County will not issue permits until access is verified129.
  1. Apply for the approach permit before driveway construction; the approach must meet county specifications and be finalized before the county issues a 911 address94.
  1. Arrange the percolation work with a South Dakota-certified wastewater installer, submit the wastewater application, and wait for Planning Office approval before installation67.
  1. Submit the complete building application and pay the applicable application and area-based charges when the permit is issued1211.
  1. Obtain the applicable state plumbing and electrical permits and inspections; qualifying owner-occupants may do their own electrical work only under the state homeowner-permit rules168.
  1. Keep the wastewater system uncovered for county inspection and arrange the final approach inspection145.

What should you check before buying land in Custer County?

Start with legal and physical access: Custer County requires verified recorded access before issuing permits, and a county-road approach needs a $250 permit9. If the driveway will connect to a state highway instead, obtain an SDDOT access permit before construction17. Test septic feasibility early because only 14.8% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field10. Private-well permitting is not confirmed at the county level; South Dakota requires approval before drilling when the proposed water use needs a water-right permit, and the driller must be licensed18. Check flood status with the Planning and Economic Department because the county publishes a floodplain permit fee, but the full parcel-specific requirement is not confirmed here114. Typical effective property tax is about 0.8%, with a median annual bill near $2,5491920.

Watch-outs

  • No county zoning does not mean no county permits: building, access, wastewater, subdivision and floodplain processes remain separate requirements21.
  • Custer County does not inspect structural construction, but state plumbing and electrical inspections and county access and wastewater inspections still apply5.
  • RV living, tiny-home occupancy, minimum dwelling size and ordinary setbacks were not confirmed; ask the Planning and Economic Department about the parcel and intended use4.

Sources

  1. Procedure for Permitting Process, quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning and Economic, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning and Economic, quoted and re-checked
  4. Custer County Planning and Economic Department (custercountysd.com)
  5. Procedure for Permitting Process, quoted and re-checked
  6. Planning and Economic, quoted and re-checked
  7. Planning and Economic, quoted and re-checked
  8. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Planning and Economic, quoted and re-checked
  10. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  11. Custer County Planning Department Fee and Permit Rates, quoted and re-checked
  12. Procedure for Permitting Process, quoted and re-checked
  13. Custer County Ordinance Number 2 Revised, quoted and re-checked
  14. Procedure for Permitting Process, quoted and re-checked
  15. Administrative Rule 74:53:01 — Individual and Small On-Site Wastewater Systems (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Inspections (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. South Dakota Water Rights — Drilling a Well (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  20. 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

Custer County in South Dakota

70
County map
Custer County highlighted among the South Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Custer County scores

Seclusion90100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency42100% ev.
Admin Boringness78100% ev.
Durability40100% ev.
Property Autonomy67100% ev.
Carry Cost71100% 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 →

$518kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$1,832Land / acre
19.2"Annual rain
11.8% of yrsSevere drought
9.2 / yr (+7.4)Mid-century 100°F days
20 daysMid-century dry spell
1.11" (+4.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.36×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,427Home insurance / yr
3.5% / yrInsurance growth
0.84%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
380People within 30 min
180,426People within 2 hr
4,969Radius comparison (15 mi)
5.9People / sq mi
41.4%Federal land
51%Land at 15% slope or less
14.8%Septic soil without severe limits
146,358 acWorkable land screen
33%Wooded land
18.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
46.1°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Custer County

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

Custer County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    County building permits for structures in unincorporated Custer County.

    • Permits are needed for all structures over 160 square feet, including new and used mobile/modular homes.
    • For non-living, no-water, no-sewer structures 160 square feet or under, the county directs applicants to fill out a no-permit form.
    • Approach permit, recorded access, and other pre-issuance requirements apply.

    size threshold: > 160 square feet (Non-living, no-water, no-sewer structures 160 square feet or under use a no-permit form.) · residential application fee: 100 USD (Area-based fees also apply.) · residential area fee: per 0.3 USD per square foot (Garage and outbuilding rate differs.)

    “Building permits are needed for all structures over 160 square feet. This also includes new and used mobile/modular homes.”
  • Building code adoptedNot adopted

    County building-code adoption in unincorporated Custer County.

    • State plumbing and electrical inspections still apply.
    “Currently, there is no zoning or building codes in Custer County.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    County inspections associated with building and wastewater permits.

    • Final inspections of access approaches to public roads and individual wastewater disposal systems are required for all locations.
    • Custer County does not inspect footings, foundations, framing, or finished structures.
    • Plumbing and electrical inspections are performed by South Dakota.
    “Final inspections of access approaches to public roads and individual wastewater disposal systems are required for all locations. Custer County does not inspect footings, foundations, framing or finished structures. Plumbing and electrical inspections are done by the State of South Dakota.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    County zoning in Custer County.

    • The county FAQ states that there is no county zoning; Ordinance #2 subdivision, wastewater, floodplain, access, and other non-zoning rules may still apply.
    “Currently, there is no zoning or building codes in Custer County.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Individual and small on-site wastewater systems in Custer County.

    • Custer County Planning Office approves the wastewater permit.
    • Installers must be certified by South Dakota.
    “Installation of the wastewater by the certified installer can start after the permit is filled out and been approved by the Planning Office.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installing, constructing, modifying, extending, replacing, or relocating a septic system in Custer County.

    • A wastewater permit is applicable to the listed septic activities.
    • A percolation test by a South Dakota state-certified wastewater installer is required before issuance where applicable.
    • Installation begins only after the permit is completed and approved by the Planning Office.

    wastewater permit fee: 500 USD (Fee schedule also lists septic component, failed-inspection, and late/non-compliant fees.)

    “If you install, construct, modify, extend, replace, or relocate a septic system in Custer County.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Individual wastewater disposal systems in Custer County.

    • Final inspections of individual wastewater disposal systems are required for all locations.
    • Failed-inspection and reinspection fees are listed in the county fee schedule.
    “The Planning Department shall inspect the installation of all wastewater disposal systems. This inspection shall occur before any part of the wastewater disposal system is covered.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land outside municipal or unincorporated-town boundaries in Custer County.

    • All subdivision of land is reviewed by Access Map Review or Plat Review.
    • Public-access and road-construction standards apply.
    • The ordinance states an effective date of January 30, 2007.

    review types: Access Map Review or Plat Review

    “It is the intent of the Board that all subdivision of land within Custer County shall be reviewed, either by Access Map Review or by Plat Review”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Access approach and recorded access for property development in Custer County.

    • An approach permit is required before starting construction.
    • The approach must be constructed to county specifications and finalized by the Planning Department before a 911 address is issued.
    • No permits are issued without verification of recorded access.

    approach permit fee: 250 USD

    “No permits will be issued without verification of recorded access to property”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Custer County Planning Department permits and applications.

    • The fee schedule states it is effective January 1, 2026.
    • Fees vary by permit type and, for building permits, by area.

    approach permit: 250 USD · wastewater disposal permit: 500 USD · building application fee: 100 USD (Area-based charges also apply.) · residential building rate: 0.3 USD per square foot · garage/outbuilding rate: 0.15 USD per square foot · floodplain development permit: 100 USD

    “CUSTER COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT FEE AND PERMIT RATES EFFECTIVE 01/01/2026”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County planning, approach, wastewater, building, and related permit processing.

    • Proof of ownership is required for newly purchased property.
    • Recorded access must be verified before permits are issued.
    • Permits are issued only to the owner or designated agent.
    • Applications must be complete when submitted and fees paid at issuance.
    • Work started before obtaining a required permit is subject to a late application fee.
    “To avoid delays in the application process, all items for the application request must be complete at time of submittal. All required permit fees must be paid when the permit is issued. Work begun before the required permit has been obtained will be subject to a late application fee.”

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”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Unconventional off-grid sanitation systems where a water or electrical system is unavailable statewide.

    • Vault privies, chemical toilets, incinerator toilets, or composting units must be used when a water or electrical system is unavailable.
    • Except for vault privies, all unconventional systems are experimental systems and require plans and specifications submitted to the secretary for approval before installation.
    “all unconventional systems are considered experimental systems”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for county-regulated construction.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Required public water or sewer connections for property development in Custer County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in Custer County.

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 Custer County, South Dakota

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

Custer County scores 70/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 380 people within a 30-minute drive and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: elevated current hazard exposure.

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

Custer County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Custer County Planning & Economic Department (installers must be SD-certified). 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 Custer County, South Dakota?

Land in Custer County runs about $1,832 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Custer County?

Custer County gets about 19.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.8% of years.

How remote is Custer County?

A representative private-land location has about 380 people within a 30-minute drive and 180,426 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 Custer County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Custer compares in South Dakota

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