Bolthole Index

Kingsbury County, South Dakota

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in De Smet, South Dakota

De Smet is a city in Kingsbury County, South Dakota. De Smet adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits De Smet’s rules apply, not the county’s. 3 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 12, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Kingsbury County page.

Answers from the rulebook for De Smet

De Smet’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Structures moved into, erected, added to or structurally altered inside De Smet city

    • Application with sketch (8.5 x 11 in. sheet) required; issued by city.
    “a building permit is required whenever a structure is moved into the community, erected, added to, or structurally altered.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside De Smet city limits

    • City's ordinance page refers to city zoning ordinances but does not publish the text online; obtain from city hall.
    “for city and zoning ordinances, please call city hall at (605) 854-3731.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permits inside De Smet city

    • Page offers a PDF application and sketch instructions/sample; fees and review steps not stated.
    “building permit application (pdf) building permit process”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask De Smet or Kingsbury County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Inside De Smet city
  • Building code adopted — Inside De Smet city
  • Inspections — Inside De Smet city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Inside De Smet city
  • Zoning districts — Inside De Smet city
22 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured 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

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

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

← All of Kingsbury County: county rules, score and offices