Bolthole Index

Day County, South Dakota

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

Webster is a city in Day County, South Dakota. Webster adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Webster’s rules apply, not the county’s. 4 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 12, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Day County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Webster

Webster’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Webster city limits (ordinance also reaches one mile beyond limits per SDCL 9-29-1)

    • Zoning ordinance applies within corporate limits and one mile territory beyond, per § 152.004
    • Adopted as Ord. 477, passed 2-1-2013
    “the provisions of this chapter apply within the corporate limits of the city, and within the one mile territory beyond said corporate limits, per sdcl 9-29-1”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Webster city

    • Residential, business and industrial districts on the official zoning map; chapter also has a planned mobile home district
    • Official zoning map kept in the office of the city finance officer
    “the zoning map is changed and established new boundaries for the following districts: residential districts, business districts, and industrial districts.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential district, Webster city, single- and multi-family dwellings

    • In new additions no residential lots may be platted narrower than 100 feet
    • Annexed land is placed in the residential district until rezoned

    minimum lot area: >= 7000 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 50 feet (100 feet in new additions)

    “the minimum lot areas shall be 7,000 square feet for single-and multi-family dwellings. the minimum lot width shall be 50 feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential district, Webster city

    • Front yard is the mean average setback of buildings in the same block but never less than 25 feet
    • Corner lots under 60 feet wide may get a reduced long-side front yard by special exception
    • Accessory garage at least 25 feet from front lot line and 5 feet from side lot line (§ 152.072)

    front yard: >= 25 feet · side yard: >= 5 feet · rear yard: >= 25 percent of lot length

    “no rear yard shall be less than 25% of the lot length; and no side yard shall be less than five feet from the outermost edge of the structure.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Webster city
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Webster city
  • Building code adopted — Building code inside Webster city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Webster city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Webster city
20 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

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 Webster publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Day County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

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

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