Bolthole Index

McCook County, South Dakota

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in McCook County, South Dakota

42Index Score / 100
#63 of 66 in South Dakota

McCook County, South Dakota requires building permits and administers countywide zoning through Planning & Zoning1. Start by calling that office because detailed forms, review steps, timelines and building-permit fees were not confirmed online2. South Dakota sets the minimum on-site wastewater rules, but McCook County may impose stricter requirements3.

At a glance

Building permit
Issued through McCook County Planning & Zoning; call for the application process12
Zoning
Yes, countywide, administered by Planning & Zoning1
Septic authority
South Dakota sets minimum requirements; confirm any stricter county rules before installation3
Owner-builder (electrical only)
Available for wiring in a residence or farmstead you own and live in; a homeowner permit, inspections and final sign-off are still required45
RV / tiny home living
Not confirmed under McCook County's zoning ordinance; ask Planning & Zoning about your parcel before assuming it's unrestricted6
Setbacks
Lake Residential side yards require 9 feet; ask Planning & Zoning for other districts7
Wells
A water-right permit depends on the proposed use and, when required, must be approved before drilling8

Who to call

Building permits

McCook County Planning & Zoning

Building permits, zoning administration, plats, conditional use permits, variances and E911 rural addressing for unincorporated McCook County

605-425-2681

[email protected]

PO Box 38, Salem, SD 57058

Roads & driveways

McCook County Highway Department

Maintains 285 miles of county road and 69 bridges; the county's Planning & Zoning office names Highway as the road authority that signs off for county roads on plats

(605) 425-2731

331 W. Norton, Salem, SD 57058

Floodplain permits

McCook County Emergency Management (Floodplain Administrator)

Issues the Floodplain Development Permit required before any development in a mapped McCook County floodplain

(605)-421-8392

[email protected]

Online permits →

Septic permits

South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems Program

Reviews septic tank installation plans and administers on-site wastewater (septic) system requirements statewide, including McCook County; there is no county-level septic authority

(605) 773-4647

523 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501-3182

Also useful

McCook County Drainage Department

Reviews and issues drainage permits for tiling and ditching projects in unincorporated McCook County; the County Commission sits as the County Drainage Board

(605) 425-2080

[email protected]

130 W Essex Ave, Salem, SD 57058

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

Yes. McCook County Planning & Zoning issues building permits and administers land-use review countywide1. Call the office before preparing an application because the confirmed county process is to call for information; detailed forms, review steps, timelines and building-permit fees were not verified online2. South Dakota's 2024 International Building Code default applies to qualifying nonresidential construction begun after July 1, 2026 where the local government has not adopted a qualifying code9. That state default excludes homes, mobile and manufactured homes, farmsteads and their accessory structures, and certain lodging properties, but those exclusions do not erase McCook County zoning or permit review91.

Who is the McCook County building department, and how do you reach them?

McCook County Planning & Zoning issues building permits and rural addresses and assists with plats, conditional use permits and variances1. Reach the office at PO Box 38, Salem, SD 57058, or by phone at 605-425-268110. Start with that call: the confirmed application instruction is to call for process and fee information, while detailed review steps and timelines were not verified2. The county page separately lists $150 for a variance, $150 for a conditional use, $250 for a zoning change and $150 for a new rural address10. The Planning Board and Board of Commissioners meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month10.

Does McCook County have zoning, and what does that mean for RVs, tiny homes and minimum home size?

Yes. McCook County Planning & Zoning administers countywide land-use and development rules111. District matters: the Lake Residential District requires a 9-foot minimum side-yard setback, while the verified material does not establish setbacks for other districts7. McCook County's specific rules for RV occupancy, tiny homes and minimum dwelling size remain unconfirmed, so ask Planning & Zoning what the parcel's district permits before buying or placing a structure11. A project that cannot meet the district rules may require a variance or conditional use; the county lists each application at $15010.

How do septic permits work in McCook County?

South Dakota sets minimum installation requirements for on-site wastewater systems in McCook County, and local government may impose stricter rules3. We could not confirm that every new residential system requires a permit or establish the inspection sequence, so ask DANR and McCook County Planning & Zoning before installation. DANR's on-site wastewater program can be reached at (605) 773-464712. Soils deserve early attention: only 11.8% of McCook County land is rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field13. Where water or electrical service is unavailable, South Dakota directs owners to use a vault privy, chemical toilet, incinerator toilet or composting unit; systems other than vault privies are experimental and require state approval of plans before installation14.

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

McCook County regulates land use and development countywide, but we could not confirm a specific rule for RV or tiny-home occupancy during construction or afterward1. Countywide zoning means a parcel should not be treated as unrestricted simply because the state building-code default excludes residential structures911. Before placing an RV or tiny home, call McCook County Planning & Zoning at 605-425-2681 and ask which district covers the parcel, whether residential occupancy is allowed, and whether a building permit, conditional use or variance is required10.

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

  1. Call McCook County Planning & Zoning to identify the zoning district, allowed use and applicable setback; Lake Residential side yards require 9 feet710.
  2. Ask Planning & Zoning for the building-permit process and whether a variance, conditional use or zoning change is needed21.
  3. Ask DANR and the county which septic requirements apply, and evaluate the site because only 11.8% of county land is rated without severe conventional-drain-field limits313.
  4. Obtain floodplain approval when applicable, then secure county- or state-road access permission before driveway construction151617.
  5. Arrange required electrical and plumbing permits and inspections before work is covered1819.

What to check before you buy land in McCook County

McCook County gets about 26.5 inches of precipitation a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.8% of years, so confirm a dependable water source before buying2021. A water-right permit depends on the proposed use and, when required, must be approved before drilling; the process includes public notice and may take several months8. Land is gentle and open: 97.8% sits at 15% slope or less and 1.1% is wooded2223. Farmland runs about $6,395 an acre, the typical home value is around $300,726, and the effective property-tax rate is roughly 1%, with a median bill around $2,133 a year24252627. Also verify septic suitability, driveway authority and floodplain status before closing131615.

Watch-outs

  • McCook County's RV, tiny-home and minimum-dwelling-size rules remain unconfirmed; ask Planning & Zoning about the parcel's district before buying or building11.
  • The Lake Residential District has a 9-foot side-yard setback, but other district setbacks were not confirmed7.
  • The confirmed county application process is to call for information, so verify building-permit forms, fees and timing with Planning & Zoning before scheduling work2.

Sources

  1. Planning and Zoning | McCook County, quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning and Zoning | McCook County, quoted and re-checked
  3. South Dakota Feedlot Permit Program - Septic Tank Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (2026 county census)
  5. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Planning and Zoning | McCook County (2026 county census)
  7. DeCramer v. Dorale, McCook County zoning appeal, quoted and re-checked
  8. South Dakota Water Rights - Drilling a Well, quoted and re-checked
  9. SDLRC - Codified Law 11-10 - Building Codes and Standards, quoted and re-checked
  10. McCook County Planning & Zoning (mccookcountysd.gov)
  11. Planning and Zoning | McCook County, quoted and re-checked
  12. South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems Program (danr.sd.gov)
  13. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  14. Administrative Rule 74:53:01 — Individual and Small On-Site Wastewater Systems (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. National Flood Insurance Program (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. McCook County Highway Department — Application for Entrance or Widening of Entrance, 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 Electrical Wiring Rules Bulletin (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Inspections (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  25. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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

McCook County in South Dakota

42
County map
McCook County highlighted among the South Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How McCook County scores

Seclusion63100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1792% ev.
Admin Boringness51100% ev.
Durability40100% ev.
Property Autonomy67100% ev.
Carry Cost69100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$301kTypical home
1%Property tax
$6,395Land / acre
26.5"Annual rain
10.8% of yrsSevere drought
8.9 / yr (+7.5)Mid-century 100°F days
20.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.54" (+6.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.63×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,999Home insurance / yr
5.7% / yrInsurance growth
0.92%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
5,407People within 30 min
717,892People within 2 hr
7,777Radius comparison (15 mi)
10.1People / sq mi
9.5%Federal land
97.8%Land at 15% slope or less
11.8%Septic soil without severe limits
43,028 acWorkable land screen
1.1%Wooded land
46°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for McCook County

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

McCook County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land-use and development regulation administered through McCook County Planning and Zoning.

    • The official directory describes county planning and zoning functions; incorporated-municipality rules may also apply.
    “Regulates land use and development within a county, ensuring orderly growth and protecting property values. Issues building permits, 911 addresses, and assist with applications for plats, conditional use permits, and variances.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County-level local zoning and land-use administration in McCook County.

    • The source confirms county planning and zoning administration but does not identify separate municipal or township ordinances.
    “Regulates land use and development within a county, ensuring orderly growth and protecting property values. Issues building permits, 911 addresses, and assist with applications for plats, conditional use permits, and variances.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Published McCook County zoning districts governing unincorporated land within McCook County, except areas approved for municipal joint zoning jurisdiction.

    • The regulations and zoning district boundaries apply to all unincorporated land within McCook County except areas approved for municipal joint zoning jurisdiction.
    • The county zoning map is incorporated by reference and is part of the regulations; the maps are to be filed with the Register of Deeds.
    • The compiled regulations are updated through Ordinance 2025-07 dated 11-25-25.

    zoning district: AG Agricultural · zoning district: RR Rural Residential · zoning district: LR Lake Residential · zoning district: C Commercial · zoning district: LI Light Industrial · zoning district: HI Heavy Industrial · zoning district: FC Flood Plain/Conservation · zoning district: PD Planned Development

    “The regulations and zoning district boundaries set forth in this Ordinance shall apply to all unincorporated land within McCook County except those areas which have been approved for municipal joint zoning jurisdiction. [...] The County is hereby divided into the following districts: AG Agricultural RR Rural Residential LR Lake Residential C Commercial LI Light Industrial HI Heavy Industrial FC Flood Plain/Conservation PD Planned Development”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Side-yard setbacks in the Lake Residential District under section 5.03 of the 2014 Revised Zoning Regulations.

    • The cited official opinion describes the Lake Residential District rule; other districts may differ.
    • A variance may be sought, but the cited case states the Board of Adjustment exceeded its authority in the challenged variance decision.

    minimum side-yard setback: 9 feet

    “As specified in section 5.03 of the 2014 Revised Zoning Regulations for McCook County, the Lake Residential District requires a minimum setback of nine feet for side yards.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New entrances or widening of entrances from a McCook County highway in McCook County, South Dakota.

    • The entrance location must be checked by the McCook County Highway before construction.
    • Entrances or widened entrances must be built to McCook County specifications.
    • The property owner is responsible for labor, equipment, fill, and a culvert if necessary.
    • The property owner constructs the entrance, subject to final inspection by the McCook County Highway Department.
    • The permit expires 180 days after the requested installation date.
    • Highway Superintendent authorization and approval are provided on the form.

    permit validity period: 180 days after requested installation date

    “APPLICATION FOR ENTRANCE OR WIDENING OF ENTRANCE FROM A McCOOK COUNTY HIGHWAY [...] Permit expires 180 days after date requested installation date.”
  • Permit processPartial

    County planning and zoning permit process.

    • The official directory states that the application process is to call for information; detailed forms, review steps, timelines, and fees were not verified in an opened official webpage.
    “Application process Call for information Fees Call for information”
  • Building permitRequired

    McCook County Planning & Zoning issues building permits and regulates land use/development in the county (SD is local-option; the county administers permits).

    SD.gov Dakota At Home - McCook County Planning and 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”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Nonresidential construction in McCook County where the local unit of government has not adopted a qualifying building-code ordinance.

    • Applies to buildings commenced after July 1, 2026.
    • Does not apply to residential structures, mobile or manufactured homes, farmsteads and their accessory structures, or qualifying specialty resorts or vacation home establishments.
    • The local unit may adopt an ordinance allowing local administration and enforcement.

    building code edition: 2024 International Building Code (Subject to statutory exclusions)

    “The provisions of this section do not apply to any residential structure”
  • 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

    Individual and small on-site wastewater systems statewide in South Dakota.

    • The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources secretary or authorized representative administers the state on-site wastewater requirements.
    • The state rules are minimum requirements; local governments may impose more stringent requirements, according to the DANR permitting guide.
    “The authority for regulating on-site wastewater systems is found in SDCL Chapter 34A-2.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • State (with conditions) — On-site wastewater systems in McCook County insofar as South Dakota minimum regulations govern.
      “South Dakota has developed installation requirements for on-site wastewater systems. These design requirements ensure that wastewater discharged into these systems is treated properly and will not pose a risk to human health or the environment.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Water-right permits for wells and water uses in McCook County.
      “Permitting. Your proposed water use may require obtaining a water right permit. In order to determine whether you need a permit, please refer to the Using Water in SD web page. 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 — Certificates of occupancy in McCook County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in McCook County zoning districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in McCook County zoning districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage limits in McCook County zoning districts.
  • Building height — Building-height limits in McCook County zoning districts.
10 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic permit
  • 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 McCook County, South Dakota

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

McCook County scores 42/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (26.5″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.

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

McCook 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 McCook County, South Dakota?

Land in McCook County runs about $6,395 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in McCook County?

McCook County gets about 26.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.8% of years.

How remote is McCook County?

A representative private-land location has about 5,407 people within a 30-minute drive and 717,892 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 McCook County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How McCook compares in South Dakota

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