Bolthole Index

Perkins County, South Dakota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Perkins County, South Dakota

47Index Score / 100
#37 of 66 in South Dakota

Perkins County, South Dakota requires the appropriate zoning permit before a land use begins or changes and before a structure is erected or moved.1 The county has zoning, while South Dakota administers statewide minimum requirements for on-site wastewater systems.23 We could not confirm a separate county building-code inspection program, so ask the county Finance Office to route project-specific zoning questions before designing or ordering materials.4

At a glance

Building permit
A county zoning permit is required before a land use begins or changes or a structure is erected or moved1
Zoning
Yes; Perkins County has a county zoning ordinance and zoning map2
Septic
South Dakota statewide minimum requirements apply; local rules may be stricter3
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the county about the parcel and proposed occupancy2
Owner electrical work
Qualifying resident owners may do their own work with a homeowner permit and inspections5
Private wells
A water-right permit may be required before drilling6

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Perkins County Finance Office

County commissioner records and the public copy of the Perkins County Zoning Ordinance; contact point for routing zoning questions

605-244-5624

PO Box 126, Bison, SD 57620

Septic permits

South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

State installation requirements and plan-review questions for on-site wastewater systems

(605) 773-4647

[email protected]

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

Yes, but the county requirement is a zoning permit rather than a confirmed building-code permit. Perkins County requires the appropriate zoning permit before a land use begins or changes and before a structure is erected or moved.1 The ordinance is administered through county Planning and Zoning, and the county has adopted zoning districts and an official zoning map.2

We could not confirm that Perkins County has separately adopted a building code, conducts general building inspections or issues certificates of occupancy. Ask the county Finance Office to route the project to the current Planning and Zoning contact, then request the correct application, fee, site-plan checklist and review schedule for the parcel.4 Do not treat the absence of a confirmed building-code program as an exemption from zoning or trade inspections: covered plumbing installations need a state inspection certificate, and electrical work subject to state oversight has its own permit and inspection process.78

Who handles Perkins County permits, and how do you reach the office?

Perkins County's ordinance assigns zoning-permit applications to the Planning and Zoning Department, while the county Finance Office is the verified public contact available for routing a caller to the current zoning official.14 The Finance Office is at PO Box 126, Bison, SD 57620 and lists 605-244-5624 as its auditor phone.4

Start by giving the office the parcel identification, legal description, proposed structure, intended use and a rough site layout. Ask whether the proposal needs a building/use permit or another land-use approval, which application materials are current, what fee applies and when work may begin. We could not confirm a published county permit-fee schedule or an online application portal. For plumbing, septic and electrical work, do not assume the county zoning permit completes state review: South Dakota requires an inspection certificate for covered plumbing installations, and qualifying homeowner electrical work still requires an approved homeowner permit.75

Does Perkins County have zoning?

Yes. Perkins County has a countywide zoning ordinance with zoning districts and an official zoning map administered through Planning and Zoning.2 South Dakota law permits a county to regulate building size, lot coverage, yards, open space, density, and the location and use of buildings, structures and land.9 A rural or agricultural setting therefore does not make a parcel unrestricted.

We could not confirm a county minimum dwelling size, a general lot-coverage percentage, a specific accessory-dwelling rule or the operative subdivision ordinance. Ask Planning and Zoning for the parcel's map designation and the current dimensional and use standards before fixing a house site. South Dakota's default construction-design provision also has a limited exclusion for a farmstead and its accessory structures, but that exclusion does not waive county zoning, occupancy or other local requirements.10 A seller's description of land as unrestricted should not replace a written answer from the county for the proposed use.

How do septic permits work in Perkins County?

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources administers statewide minimum requirements for individual and small on-site wastewater systems, and local governments may impose stricter requirements.3 The state septic program publishes installation requirements and answers on-site wastewater questions at (605) 773-4647.11 Ask both the state program and Perkins County Planning and Zoning what review applies to the exact system and parcel before excavation.

Soils make early evaluation especially important: only 7.6% of mapped Perkins County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.12 That countywide screening statistic is not a parcel-level approval, but it supports making a satisfactory wastewater design a purchase contingency. Where water or electricity is unavailable, South Dakota permits specified unconventional sanitation options; systems other than vault privies are considered experimental and require plans and specifications submitted to the state for approval before installation.13

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

We could not confirm a Perkins County rule that specifically authorizes or prohibits living in an RV on private land or occupying a tiny home. Perkins County does have zoning, and a zoning permit is required before a land use begins or changes and before a structure is erected or moved.21 Ask the current Planning and Zoning contact about the parcel, duration of occupancy, foundation or wheels, utility connections, wastewater plan and whether the use is temporary or permanent.

Do not assume a small or movable dwelling bypasses zoning. We also could not confirm a county minimum dwelling floor area, accessory-dwelling rule or general utility-connection requirement. Waste disposal has a separate state layer: South Dakota regulates on-site wastewater systems, while most unconventional sanitation systems require state approval before installation.313 Get the county's answer in writing before buying a tiny home, moving an RV onto the parcel or paying for utility work.

Building a home in Perkins County: what are the steps?

  1. Give the county Finance Office the parcel description and project concept, and ask to be routed to the current Planning and Zoning contact.4
  1. Confirm the zoning-map designation, allowed use, setbacks and application materials, then obtain the appropriate county zoning permit before beginning or changing the use or erecting or moving a structure.21
  1. Evaluate wastewater early. South Dakota sets minimum on-site wastewater requirements, and local rules may be stricter.3
  1. Determine the water source. A water-right permit may be required, and state approval must precede well drilling when that permit applies.6
  1. Arrange trade permits and inspections. Covered plumbing needs an inspection certificate, while qualifying owner-installed electrical work needs a homeowner permit and final inspection before occupancy.75
  1. If the driveway connects to a state highway, obtain South Dakota Department of Transportation permission before access construction begins.14

What should you check before buying land in Perkins County?

Begin with legal buildability, wastewater, water and access. Perkins County has about 1 person per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 281 miles from the county center.1516 That remoteness makes contractor availability, hauling distance and emergency planning practical parts of a building budget.

For wastewater, only 7.6% of mapped soils avoid a severe conventional-drain-field limitation, so obtain a parcel-level site evaluation before committing to a house location.12 For water, confirm likely well conditions and whether the intended use needs a water-right permit before drilling.6 If access is from a state highway, construction cannot start until the state access permit is issued.14 Ask the county whether the parcel lies in a regulated floodplain because participating South Dakota communities require permits for floodplain development.17 Finally, treat the county's 1.3% effective property-tax rate and $1,405 median annual bill as context, then obtain the parcel's assessment and actual tax history.1819

Watch-outs

  • A Perkins County zoning permit is required before beginning or changing a land use and before erecting or moving a structure.1
  • We could not confirm a county building-code adoption, general inspection program, certificate-of-occupancy process or permit-fee schedule; ask the Finance Office to route those questions to Planning and Zoning.4
  • Most mapped Perkins County soils have severe limitations for conventional drain fields, so complete a parcel-level wastewater evaluation early.12
  • An owner-builder electrical exemption is only an exemption from licensure; a qualifying owner still needs a homeowner permit and inspections.5

Sources

  1. Perkins County Zoning Ordinance (2026 county census)
  2. Perkins County Zoning Ordinance (2026 county census)
  3. On-Site Wastewater Systems in South Dakota (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  4. Perkins County Finance Office (perkinscounty.org)
  5. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. South Dakota Water Rights - Drilling a Well, quoted and re-checked
  7. South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Inspections (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. South Dakota Electrical Wiring Rules Bulletin (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. 2000 Session Laws Chapter 69 — Planning and zoning statutes revised (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 11-10: Building Codes and Standards (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (danr.sd.gov)
  12. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  13. Administrative Rule 74:53:01 — Individual and Small On-Site Wastewater Systems (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Instructions: Applying for permission for driveway or intersection on a South Dakota state highway (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  17. National Flood Insurance Program (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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

Perkins County in South Dakota

47
County map
Perkins County highlighted among the South Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Perkins County scores

Seclusion91100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency18100% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability42100% ev.
Property Autonomy67100% ev.
Carry Cost84100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$175kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$1,179Land / acre
17.2"Annual rain
17.3% of yrsSevere drought
13.1 / yr (+10)Mid-century 100°F days
23.2 daysMid-century dry spell
1.16" (+6.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.35×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,925Home insurance / yr
1.8% / yrInsurance growth
3.25%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
6,557People within 2 hr
341Radius comparison (15 mi)
1People / sq mi
7.5%Federal land
90.9%Land at 15% slope or less
7.6%Septic soil without severe limits
138,059 acWorkable land screen
0.7%Wooded land
32.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
44.2°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Perkins County

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

Perkins County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    The Perkins County Zoning Ordinance (Section 2) states no structure shall be erected or moved until the appropriate Zoning Permit is obtained from the Planning and Zoning Department; South Dakota has no statewide residential building code, so this is a zoning permit rather than a building-code inspection.

    Perkins County Zoning Ordinance ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Perkins County has adopted a countywide Zoning Ordinance establishing zoning districts and a zoning map (Article III), administered by a Planning and Zoning Department.

    Perkins County Zoning Ordinance ↗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”
  • 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.”
  • 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 wells and proposed water uses in Perkins County.
      “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.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    South Dakota state electrical wiring permits and inspections.

    • The installer must send the white permit copy to the Commission within 15 calendar days after starting the installation.
    • The permit hard copy must be posted at the job site when electrical work starts.
    • At least 72 hours' notice is required before inspection.
    • A rough-in inspection must occur before wiring is covered, and a final inspection is required before occupancy.
    • Homeowner permits are limited to qualifying owner-occupied residences or farmsteads and cannot be used for commercial or rental property.

    white permit copy submission deadline: 15 calendar days after starting installation · inspection notice: >= 72 hours

    “Within fifteen calendar days after starting an electrical installation, the installer shall send the white copy to the office of the commission.”
  • 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.

  • Building code adopted — County building-code adoption in Perkins County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Perkins County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the county zoning jurisdiction.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Perkins County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Perkins County.
4 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • 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 Perkins County, South Dakota

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

Perkins County scores 47/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 341 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (17.2″/yr rainfall).

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

Perkins 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) – On-Site Wastewater program (ARSD 74:53:01). 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 Perkins County, South Dakota?

Land in Perkins County runs about $1,179 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Perkins County?

Perkins County gets about 17.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 17.3% of years.

How remote is Perkins County?

A typical private-land location has about 341 people within 15 miles and 65,526 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Perkins compares in South Dakota

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