Bolthole Index

McCook County, South Dakota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Salem, South Dakota

Salem, South Dakota requires a city permit before building work regulated by its zoning ordinance, with applications handled by the Zoning Administrator through Salem City Hall.1 Salem has its own zoning inside city limits; McCook County’s zoning rules cover unincorporated land, with exceptions for joint-jurisdiction areas.23 South Dakota DANR administers state on-site wastewater requirements, while Salem requires manufactured-home parks to use city water and sewer.45

At a glance

Building permits
City permit required before work regulated by Salem’s zoning ordinance1
Zoning
City zoning applies inside Salem city limits2
Septic
DANR administers state standards; manufactured-home parks must use city water and sewer45
RV living
Manufactured-home park rentals: 28–180 days; no more than 25% of park spaces6
Residential lot coverage
R-1 Residential District: maximum 50%7
Owner electrical work
Qualifying owner-occupants may do electrical work, but need an approved homeowner permit and inspections8

Who to call

Building permits

Salem City Hall — Building Permits / Planning & Zoning

City contact for Salem building and zoning permit applications, zoning maps and ordinances.

605-425-2301

[email protected]

440 E. JEFFERSON AVE PO BOX 249 SALEM, SD 57058

Septic permits

South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems Program

State on-site wastewater standards and questions about installation-plan review.

(605) 773-4647

523 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501-3182

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Salem, SD?

Salem requires a separate city permit before each building, structure, fence, hard-surfacing project or excavation regulated by the zoning ordinance is constructed, altered, moved or demolished.1 Submit the proposal to Salem’s building official or Zoning Administrator with construction documents and other required data, subject to authorized waivers.9 Salem building-permit fees are set by City Council resolution; ask City Hall for the current schedule rather than using the county’s fee schedule.10 Required city inspections depend on the work and include footing and foundation inspections where applicable.11

Who issues building permits in Salem, and how do you reach them?

Salem’s Zoning Administrator issues the permits required by the city zoning ordinance, and Salem City Hall is the published contact for building permits and planning questions.1 Call 605-425-2301 or email [email protected] to discuss the parcel and proposed work.1 Salem’s planning page provides links to building forms, maps and ordinances, plus state homeowner plumbing and electrical applications.1 Salem relies on South Dakota’s plumbing and electrical codes rather than adopting separate city codes for those trades, so a city building approval does not replace the applicable state electrical requirements.112

Does Salem have zoning, and what are the lot size and setbacks?

Salem has municipal zoning inside city limits, and a zoning permit must conform to the ordinance unless written conditional-use or variance approval is received.29 Salem’s NRC Natural Resource Conservation District requires at least 1 acre for all uses, with a 50-foot front yard and 30-foot side and rear yards.1314 The NRC maximum building height is 35 feet.15 In Salem’s R-1 Residential District, lot coverage may not exceed 50%.7 Those standards describe different districts, so ask Salem City Hall to identify the parcel’s zoning district before laying out a house or accessory building.1

How do septic permits and water service work inside Salem?

South Dakota DANR administers statewide on-site wastewater standards, and local governments may impose stricter requirements.4 State rules require advance plan review and approval for wastewater installations other than conventional individual on-site systems; that exception does not remove the applicable installation standards.16 State rules also prohibit an on-site system where public wastewater service is available under the rule’s conditions.16 Salem manufactured-home parks must connect to city water and sewer, and homes in those parks cannot use private wells or septic tanks.5 For another Salem property, we could not confirm the city-specific septic approval or inspection process; ask City Hall about sewer availability and DANR about the proposed system.117

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

Salem permits rented or leased RV and camper spaces within manufactured-home parks for periods of 28 to 180 days, with no more than 25% of park lots or spaces used for that purpose.6 The manufactured-home park is a conditional use in Salem’s R-2 manufactured housing residential district.6 Those park provisions do not establish permission to live in an RV on an ordinary private lot.6 We could not confirm a general Salem tiny-home occupancy rule, minimum dwelling size or complete accessory-dwelling rule; ask Salem’s Zoning Administrator to review the proposed dwelling and parcel before buying or moving a unit.1

Building a home in Salem: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Start with Salem City Hall to identify the zoning district and compare the proposed use and site layout with the city ordinance; nonconforming proposals need the applicable written conditional-use or variance approval.1
  2. Submit the city building and zoning applications with construction documents and required supporting data, and request the current City Council fee schedule.910
  3. Resolve wastewater service with City Hall and any on-site system review with DANR before construction.116
  4. Obtain an approved state homeowner electrical permit before personally starting qualifying electrical work, and arrange required city construction inspections.811
  5. Arrange electrical rough-in inspection before covering wiring and final electrical inspection before occupancy; ask City Hall whether a separate city certificate of occupancy is needed.181

What should you check before buying land in Salem or outside city limits?

For land outside Salem, read the McCook County guide: county building permits apply to regulated development in unincorporated McCook County, while county zoning excludes approved municipal joint-jurisdiction areas.193 For a proposed private well in Salem, ask City Hall about local restrictions and DANR about water-right requirements; a required state water-right permit must be approved before drilling.120 A new or modified driveway connecting to a South Dakota state highway needs DOT permission before access construction begins.21 Ask City Hall to identify the parcel’s floodplain status and administering office; participating communities require floodplain development permits, with incorporated and unincorporated areas administered separately.122

Watch-outs

  • Salem’s RV rental limits apply to manufactured-home parks; ask the city Zoning Administrator about RV occupancy on an ordinary private lot.61
  • South Dakota’s owner electrical exemption is an exemption from licensure, with homeowner permitting and inspections still required; we could not confirm an exemption from Salem building permits or city inspections.81
  • Salem may refuse city construction inspections when utility accounts are delinquent.11

Sources

  1. Salem City Hall — Building Permits / Planning & Zoning (cityofsalemsd.gov)
  2. Planning & Zoning - Salem, SD (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  3. 2014 Revised Zoning Regulations for McCook County, updated through Ordinance 2025-07, quoted and re-checked
  4. On-Site Wastewater Systems in South Dakota (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. Appendix A - Zoning, Chapter 11, 11.13 Manufactured homes and manufactured home parks (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  6. Appendix A - Zoning, Chapter 11, 11.13 Manufactured homes and manufactured home parks (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  7. Appendix A - Zoning, Chapter 4, R-1 Residential District, 4.03 Lot and yard regulations (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  8. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Planning & Zoning - Salem, SD (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  10. Ordinance No. 612, Chapter 9.03, 2012 Building Code (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  11. Ordinance No. 612, Chapter 9.03, 2012 Building Code (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  12. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Appendix A - Zoning, Chapter 3, NRC Natural Resource Conservation District, 3.03 Lot and yard regulations (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  14. Appendix A - Zoning, Chapter 3, NRC Natural Resource Conservation District, 3.03 Lot and yard regulations (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  15. Appendix A - Zoning, Chapter 3, NRC Natural Resource Conservation District, 3.03 Lot and yard regulations (Salem), quoted and re-checked
  16. Rule 74:53:01 Individual and Small On-Site Wastewater Systems, quoted and re-checked
  17. South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems Program (danr.sd.gov)
  18. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. 2014 Revised Zoning Regulations for McCook County, updated through Ordinance 2025-07, quoted and re-checked
  20. South Dakota Water Rights — Drilling a Well (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Instructions: Applying for permission for driveway or intersection on a South Dakota state highway (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. National Flood Insurance Program (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Salem

Salem’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    City-regulated construction inside Salem city limits, including detached one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, and accessory structures.

    • The City modified, added, or did not adopt specified IRC provisions; all other published provisions remain applicable.
    • The City relies on South Dakota electrical and plumbing codes rather than adopting its own electrical or plumbing codes.
    “as amended is hereby adopted as the residential building code by the City of Salem”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Salem city limits where the adopted building code requires an inspection.

    • Inspection timing and type depend on the work; the code specifically requires footing and foundation inspections when applicable.
    • The City may refuse to conduct inspections for delinquent utility accounts.
    “Footing inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Salem city limits.

    “unless a separate permit for each building, structure, fence, hard surfacing or excavation has first been obtained”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    All uses in Salem's NRC Natural Resource Conservation District.

    minimum lot area: >= 1 acre

    “All Uses | 1 acre | 150 feet | 50 feet | 30 feet | 30 feet | 35 feet”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    All uses in Salem's NRC Natural Resource Conservation District.

    front yard: 50 feet · side yard: 30 feet · rear yard: 30 feet

    “All Uses | 1 acre | 150 feet | 50 feet | 30 feet | 30 feet | 35 feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 Residential District inside Salem city limits.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 50 percent

    “Lot coverage shall not exceed 50 percent in R-1 districts.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    All uses in Salem's NRC Natural Resource Conservation District.

    maximum height: <= 35 feet

    “All Uses | 1 acre | 150 feet | 50 feet | 30 feet | 30 feet | 35 feet”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RVs and campers placed on rented or leased spaces within Salem manufactured-home parks.

    • Spaces may be rented or leased for RVs and campers for not less than 28 days and not greater than 180 days.
    • No more than 25 percent of lots or spaces may be used for RV or camper purposes.
    • The park is a conditional use in the R-2 manufactured housing residential district.

    minimum rental period: >= 28 days · maximum rental period: <= 180 days · maximum RV/camper spaces: <= 25 percent of lots or spaces

    “Lots or spaces within the manufactured home park that are rented or leased for the placement of RVs and campers shall be rented or leased for a period of time of not less than 28 days and not greater than 180 days. No more than 25 percent of lots or spaces may be used for this purpose.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary RV or camper placement within a Salem manufactured-home park.

    • Placement is limited to rented or leased park lots or spaces.
    • The rental or lease period must be 28 to 180 days.
    • No more than 25 percent of park lots or spaces may be used for RVs or campers.

    minimum period: >= 28 days · maximum period: <= 180 days · maximum spaces: <= 25 percent

    “Lots or spaces within the manufactured home park that are rented or leased for the placement of RVs and campers shall be rented or leased for a period of time of not less than 28 days and not greater than 180 days. No more than 25 percent of lots or spaces may be used for this purpose.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Manufactured-home parks inside Salem city limits.

    • The manufactured-home park must be connected to city public water and sewer service.
    • Homes in the park may not connect to private water or sewer facilities, including private wells or septic tanks.
    “The manufactured home park shall be connected to the city's public water and sewer service. No owner or operator of a manufactured home park shall permit a manufactured home within the park to be connected to private water and sewer facilities, including, but not limited to, private water wells and septic tanks.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits and related permits inside Salem city limits.

    • A fee is required for each permit requiring a permit fee.
    • The fee schedule is established by City Council resolution.
    • The reviewed sources did not state the current dollar amounts.

    fee schedule: City Council resolution (Current dollar amounts not stated in the reviewed source.)

    “On buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems, or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as established by the applicable governing authority. The fee schedules for the issuance of a building permit shall be set by resolution by the City Council.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building and zoning permit applications inside Salem city limits.

    • Applications are submitted to the building official or zoning administrator as applicable.
    • Construction documents and other data must accompany permit applications, subject to authorized waivers.
    • Zoning permits are not issued except in conformity with the zoning ordinance unless written conditional-use or variance approval is received.
    “NO permits shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from Salem building-permit or inspection requirements.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for buildings inside Salem city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Salem city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Salem city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Salem city limits.
7 more unanswered
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Salem publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. McCook County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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