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

Menno’s own rules

• SetbacksSpecified

  All structures in Menno city (citywide structure setback chapter; no district named)

  • Side setback for corner lots is 20 feet
  • Setbacks measured from lot line to outermost point of structure including overhangs, cantilevers and front entrance steps
  • Applies to attachments such as decks, patios and carports
  • Chapter added October 8, 2013

  front setback: 20 feet · interior-lot side setback: 7 feet · corner-lot side setback: 20 feet · rear setback: 7 feet

  “all structures located in the city shall meet the following minimum setback requirements: front setback shall be twenty (20) feet. side setback for interior lots shall be seven (7) feet. side setback for corner lots shall be twenty (20) feet. rear setback shall be seven (7) feet.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private wastewater disposal systems inside Menno city where public sewer is not available

  • Plans must be approved by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources
  • Health officer may impose additional requirements

  “before commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the approving authority.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private wastewater disposal systems inside Menno city where public sewer is not available

  • Permit and inspection fee set by city council resolution, paid at application
  • Permit not effective until installation completed to approving authority's satisfaction
  • No subsurface soil absorption permit if lot under 43,560 sq ft with private water supply, or under 20,000 sq ft with public water supply
  • No discharge to any natural outlet

  minimum lot area, private water supply: >= 43560 sq ft · minimum lot area, public water supply: >= 20000 sq ft

  “no permit shall be issued for any private wastewater disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than forty three thousand five hundred sixty (43,560) feet, when potable water is supplied by a private water supply system, and twenty thousand (20,000) square feet when potable water is supplied by a public water supply.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private wastewater disposal systems inside Menno city

  • Applicant must notify city when work is ready for final inspection and before underground portions are covered
  • Inspection within two working days of notice

  inspection response: <= 2 working days

  “the applicant for the permit shall notify the approving authority when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. the inspection shall be made within two (2) working days of the receipt of notice by the approving authority”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in special flood hazard areas inside Menno city

  • Ordinance adopts best available data higher standard where it contradicts FIRMs
  • More stringent of conflicting restrictions prevails

  “a floodplain development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this ordinance.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits inside Menno city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Menno city
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Menno city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Menno city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Menno 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.