Bolthole Index

McPherson County, South Dakota

Building permits and land rules in McPherson County, South Dakota

35Index Score / 100
#66 of 66 in South Dakota

Unincorporated McPherson County, South Dakota requires a building/use permit for buildings, structures and specified site-preparation work1. The county also has zoning, although land shown on the zoning map within generally one mile of Eureka falls under city jurisdiction2. South Dakota DANR governs on-site wastewater systems3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required in the county's jurisdiction; issued by the Zoning Officer1
Zoning
Yes in unincorporated areas, except the mapped area under Eureka's jurisdiction2
Septic
Governed by South Dakota DANR rules; confirm the review path before installation45
RV and tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask county Planning & Zoning what the parcel's district allows6
Owner-builder
A qualifying resident owner may do electrical work under a homeowner permit, but county permits and state inspections still apply78
Agricultural building lot
Generally at least 2 acres and 150 feet wide for permitted uses in the Agricultural District9
Domestic well
A water-right permit is generally unnecessary unless use exceeds 25,920 gallons daily or a peak rate of 25 gallons per minute10

Who to call

Building permits

McPherson County Planning & Zoning

Building permit applications, variances, conditional uses, drainage permits and county zoning administration

605-439-3663

P.O. Box 50, Leola, SD 57456

Online permits →

Septic permits

South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems Program

State on-site wastewater installation requirements and septic tank installation-plan questions

(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 September 27, 2026.

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

Yes. Unincorporated McPherson County requires a building/use permit before a building or structure is erected, moved, enlarged, structurally altered or used11. The requirement also reaches accessory buildings and excavation, filling, grading, lagooning or dredging done to prepare a future construction site1. Apply to the county Zoning Officer with a scaled site plan showing existing and proposed buildings, intended uses, utilities and the other information the officer lawfully requests12. A proposal that does not conform may also need administrative review, a conditional use or a variance1. County materials establish a general building-code requirement only for cannabis establishments, so ask Planning & Zoning which construction standards apply to an ordinary home13.

Who issues McPherson County building permits, and how do you reach the office?

McPherson County Planning & Zoning accepts building permit applications and makes printed building, drainage, variance and conditional-use forms available in its office14. Planning & Zoning is a function of the Equalization Office in the McPherson County Courthouse14. Reach the office at 605-439-3663 or mail P.O. Box 50, Leola, SD 5745614. The county posts a building permit application online, but the current fee is not established by the reviewed county facts; ask the office for the applicable fee and submission requirements before filing14. The ordinance says the Zoning Officer grants or denies a complete building/use permit application within a reasonable time12. We could not confirm a routine county inspection schedule or a separate certificate-of-occupancy process, so ask the office what inspections and closeout documents your project will need.

Does McPherson County have zoning?

McPherson County zoning applies in unincorporated areas, but the area shown on the zoning map within generally one mile of Eureka is under City of Eureka jurisdiction2. Confirm the governing jurisdiction before relying on county standards. The Official Zoning Map controls the current county zoning designation15. In the Agricultural District, an eligible building lot for a permitted use generally must contain at least 2 acres and measure at least 150 feet wide, with a limited farm-dwelling exception and Board-set dimensions for conditional uses9. Principal buildings in that district generally may not exceed 2.5 stories or 35 feet, although the ordinance lists exceptions including agricultural buildings and several utility structures16. We could not confirm a countywide minimum dwelling size, residential lot-coverage limit or general setback answer; Planning & Zoning should match those questions to the parcel's district and proposed use.

How do septic permits work in McPherson County?

South Dakota DANR administers the statewide minimum requirements for individual and small on-site wastewater systems, while local governments may impose stricter requirements5. McPherson County's record identifies DANR rather than a county septic authority4. Contact the DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems Program at (605) 773-4647 about installation plans and the review required for your proposed system17. We could not confirm from the county materials whether every conventional residential system follows a general permit or inspection process, so settle that question with DANR and county Planning & Zoning before installation. About 59.6% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field; that countywide figure cannot replace a parcel-level soil and site evaluation18. South Dakota also requires installers of individual and small wastewater systems to be certified17.

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

We could not confirm a McPherson County rule that directly allows or prohibits long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy. Because unincorporated land is zoned, ask McPherson County Planning & Zoning whether the parcel's district permits the proposed dwelling and whether a building/use permit, conditional use or variance is required611. For land in the mapped area under Eureka's jurisdiction, direct the same questions to the City of Eureka instead2. An off-grid sanitation plan is a separate issue: when water or electricity is unavailable, state rules allow specified unconventional systems, but chemical, incinerator and composting toilets are treated as experimental and require plans and specifications approved before installation; vault privies follow a different rule19.

How do you build a home in McPherson County, step by step?

  1. Ask McPherson County Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel's jurisdiction, zoning district and allowed use; the mapped area near Eureka is handled by the city2.
  1. Prepare the scaled site plan and building, use and utility information required with the county building/use permit application12.
  1. Resolve any conditional use or variance before construction, and discuss any land division with the County Commission before subdividing120.
  1. Contact DANR about septic design, installation-plan review and installer requirements175.
  1. Determine whether the well use needs a water-right permit; approval must precede drilling when a permit applies, and the driller must be licensed21.
  1. Obtain state electrical and plumbing approvals. Qualifying resident owners may wire their own home under the electrical homeowner process, but a permit and inspections still apply822.

What should you check before buying land in McPherson County?

Start with jurisdiction and zoning: the county's Official Zoning Map controls unincorporated zoning status, while the mapped area near Eureka is under city jurisdiction152. Check access before closing. We could not confirm the county's own driveway rule, but a new or modified connection to a South Dakota state highway needs state permission before construction starts23. Water needs advance planning: domestic use generally avoids a water-right permit unless it exceeds 25,920 gallons per day or a peak rate of 25 gallons per minute10. The county averages about 21 inches of precipitation annually and has experienced severe drought in about 10.3% of years2425. Typical farmland value is about $2,389 per acre, while the effective property-tax rate is about 1.6% and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,218262728.

Watch-outs

  • The mapped area within generally one mile of Eureka is under city rather than McPherson County zoning jurisdiction2.
  • We could not confirm county rules for RV living, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy or minimum dwelling size; ask Planning & Zoning about the specific parcel and use614.
  • A qualifying owner-builder electrical exemption is only from licensure; an approved homeowner permit and inspections are still required8.
  • We could not confirm McPherson County's access-approach requirements even though the county ordinance index identifies an Access Approach Ordinance; ask Planning & Zoning before creating or changing a county-road entrance14.

Sources

  1. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1 (2026 county census)
  2. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1, quoted and re-checked
  3. South Dakota DANR - Septic Tank Systems (2026 county census)
  4. On-Site Wastewater Systems in South Dakota, quoted and re-checked
  5. On-Site Wastewater Systems in South Dakota (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1 (2026 county census)
  7. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (2026 county census)
  8. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1, quoted and re-checked
  10. Using Water in South Dakota, quoted and re-checked
  11. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1, quoted and re-checked
  12. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1, quoted and re-checked
  13. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1, quoted and re-checked
  14. McPherson County Planning & Zoning (mcpherson.sdcounty.gov)
  15. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1, quoted and re-checked
  16. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1, quoted and re-checked
  17. South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems Program (danr.sd.gov)
  18. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  19. Administrative Rule 74:53:01 — Individual and Small On-Site Wastewater Systems (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. McPherson County Zoning Ordinance #2024-1, quoted and re-checked
  21. South Dakota Water Rights — Drilling a Well (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Inspections (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Instructions: Applying for permission for driveway or intersection on a South Dakota state highway (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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

McPherson County in South Dakota

35
County map
McPherson County highlighted among the South Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How McPherson County scores

Seclusion87100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1194% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability39100% ev.
Property Autonomy67100% ev.
Carry Cost84100% ev.

Evidence strength: 99%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$78kTypical home
1.6%Property tax
$2,389Land / acre
21"Annual rain
10.3% of yrsSevere drought
6.6 / yr (+5.4)Mid-century 100°F days
21.2 daysMid-century dry spell
1.34" (+6.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.53×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,492Home insurance / yr
4.2% / yrInsurance growth
1.57%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
1,101People within 30 min
75,794People within 2 hr
1,559Radius comparison (15 mi)
2.1People / sq mi
53.9%Federal land
98.2%Land at 15% slope or less
59.6%Septic soil without severe limits
427,260 acWorkable land screen
0.6%Wooded land
42.2°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for McPherson County

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

McPherson County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings, structures, excavation, accessory buildings, filling, grading, lagooning, and dredging related to site preparation for future construction in the county jurisdiction.

    • A permit is issued by the Zoning Officer; administrative review, conditional use, or variance approval may be required for nonconforming proposals.
    “No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, structurally altered or used without a permit issued by the Zoning Officer.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Cannabis establishments regulated by the county zoning ordinance.

    • The located provision establishes International Building Code conformance for cannabis establishments; no general countywide building-code adoption was verified.
    “All Cannabis Establishments are required to be constructed in conformance with the International Building Code as provided in SDCL 11-10.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.

    • The area within generally one (1) mile of the City of Eureka, as designated on the zoning map, is under the jurisdiction of the City of Eureka.
    “the provisions of this Ordinance shall apply within the unincorporated areas of McPherson County, South Dakota”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts and the Official Zoning Map for unincorporated McPherson County.

    • The Official Zoning Map is the final authority as to current zoning status.
    “The unincorporated area of the County is hereby divided into zones, or districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Eligible building lots for permitted uses in the A Agricultural District.

    • The Board of Adjustment may allow a smaller minimum lot for an additional single-family farm dwelling on an existing farmstead if the dwelling is on the same legal description, the farmstead has no more than two dwelling units, the dwelling is occupied by farm employees or relatives, and it is removed if it becomes a non-farm dwelling.
    • Conditional-use lots have minimum lot-area regulations determined by the Board of Adjustment.

    minimum lot size: >= 2 acres (Except as provided for an additional single-family farm dwelling on an existing farmstead.) · minimum lot width: >= 150 feet

    “All eligible building lots for permitted uses shall be a minimum of two (2) acres, except as provided in 7.a of this Section.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Principal buildings in the A Agricultural District.

    • Buildings must meet FAA standards within one mile of airports.
    • Exceptions include agricultural buildings, chimneys, smokestacks, cooling towers, radio and TV towers, water tanks, meteorological towers, wind energy systems, private wind energy conversion systems, and wireless telecommunications towers and facilities.

    principal building height: <= 35 feet (No principal building shall exceed two and one-half stories or thirty-five feet; listed structures are excepted.) · principal building stories: <= 2.5 stories (Listed structures are excepted.)

    “no principal building shall exceed two and one-half (2 1/2) stories or thirty-five (35) feet in height.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in McPherson County.

    • Before subdivision, the subdivider must discuss the proposal with the Board of County Commissioners.
    • Preliminary and final application fees are required under the approved fee schedule.
    • Preliminary plat applications require seven copies and specified supporting information.

    preliminary plat copies: 7 copies

    “Prior to the subdivision of any land, the subdivider or his/her agent shall discuss informally with the Board of County Commissioners”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County building/use permit and subdivision processes.

    • Building/use permit applications require a scaled site plan, existing and proposed building information, intended use, utilities, and other information lawfully required by the Zoning Officer.
    • The Zoning Officer grants or denies a building/use permit within a reasonable time.
    “All applications for permits shall be accompanied by a site plan drawn to scale”

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”
  • 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 McPherson County.
      “South Dakota has developed installation requirements for on-site wastewater systems.”
  • 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 permitting for wells and groundwater uses in McPherson County.
      “However, even domestic use of water requires a permit if your water use exceeds either 25,920 gallons per day or a peak pump rate of 25 gallons per minute.”
  • 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.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    New or modified driveways and intersections connecting to South Dakota state highways.

    • Permission from the South Dakota Department of Transportation is required for access to a state highway.
    • The application may require an access approach design, vicinity map, estimated traffic volumes, three copies of a site plan, traffic-control plan, liability insurance, development plan, drainage plan, traffic-impact study, and revegetation plan.
    • Construction cannot begin until the access permit is issued.
    • The permittee pays construction, maintenance, and removal costs.
    • The permit expires if access is not under construction within one year, subject to one written one-year extension.
    • Access construction must be completed within 45 days after initiation within the highway right-of-way.

    application review update threshold: 30 days (If the application is not completed within 30 days, a Department employee will contact the applicant with an update.) · construction completion period: 45 days (Measured from initiation of construction within the highway right-of-way.)

    “Construction of the access shall not proceed until the access permit is issued. The access shall be completed in an expeditious and safe manner and shall be finished within 45 days from the initiation of construction within the highway right-of-way.”
  • 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 for county-regulated buildings.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in McPherson County zoning districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage limits in McPherson County zoning districts.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential recreational-vehicle occupancy in McPherson County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping in McPherson County.
6 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 McPherson County, South Dakota

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

McPherson County scores 35/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,101 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (21″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.

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

McPherson 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 McPherson County, South Dakota?

Land in McPherson County runs about $2,389 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in McPherson County?

McPherson County gets about 21" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.3% of years.

How remote is McPherson County?

A representative private-land location has about 1,101 people within a 30-minute drive and 75,794 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 McPherson County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How McPherson compares in South Dakota

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