Bolthole Index

Sully County, South Dakota

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

44Index Score / 100
#52 of 66 in South Dakota

Unincorporated Sully County, South Dakota requires a county building permit before a building or structure is erected, added to or structurally altered1. County zoning covers property outside incorporated places that exercise their own jurisdiction1. South Dakota administers onsite-wastewater rules, while Sully County Planning and Zoning handles the building permit and parcel-specific zoning2,3.

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

Yes.

Yes. In Sully County's zoning jurisdiction, no building or structure may be erected, added to or structurally altered until the Zoning Administrator issues a building permit1. Submit the application and fee to the Planning and Zoning Administrator with a scale drawing of the project6. The building-permit fee is $10 plus $1 per thousand over $1,000 of estimated construction cost, including materials and labor1. A permit expires if work has not started within 12 months after approval1. The Zoning Administrator may make a final zoning-conformity inspection after completion, but that is not a general building-code inspection1. Sully County applies the Uniform Building Code to steps and landings at mobile or manufactured home parks, but the available county rule does not establish a general county code edition for other construction1.

Who issues Sully County building permits, and how do you reach them?

Sully County Planning and Zoning is the building-permit office for construction in the county zoning jurisdiction; call (605) 258-2444 or write to PO Box 265, Onida, SD 57564-0265.

Sully County Planning and Zoning is the building-permit office for construction in the county zoning jurisdiction; call (605) 258-2444 or write to PO Box 265, Onida, SD 57564-02653. The application requests property, owner, contractor, construction-type, completion-date and project-cost information, plus a scale drawing6. Complete any required plat first because land that must be platted needs an approved, filed plat before the building permit can be approved1. Subdivision lots cannot receive building permits until required road improvements are complete and the quality-assurance form has been received2. Each zoning lot also needs qualifying public-street frontage or permanent access through an unobstructed easement1. Ask the Sully County Highway Department about a county-road approach, and obtain state approval before building a new or modified entrance onto a state highway7,8.

Does Sully County have zoning?

Yes.

Yes. Sully County zoning covers property outside incorporated places that have exercised their own jurisdiction1. The official zoning map controls the parcel's district, and the ordinance publishes agricultural, residential, business, industrial, riverfront, manufactured-home-park, airport-noise and recreational-vehicle-park districts1. In One Family Residential District 1-A, qualifying subdivision lots with planned streets and community water and waste facilities need at least 10,000 square feet1. That district generally limits all buildings, including accessory buildings, to 30% lot coverage1. Its front and rear setbacks are 25 feet, side setbacks are at least 10 feet, and specified highway rights-of-way require a larger front setback1. Agriculture District C and One Family Residential District 1-A generally limit buildings to 35 feet and two-and-a-half stories, subject to stated exceptions and stricter aviation limits1. Ask Planning and Zoning for the parcel's mapped district before applying any dimension3.

How do septic permits work in Sully County?

South Dakota's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources administers minimum onsite-wastewater rules in Sully County, and local governments may impose stricter requirements.

South Dakota's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources administers minimum onsite-wastewater rules in Sully County, and local governments may impose stricter requirements2,4. Contact DANR before installing a new system other than a conventional onsite system serving one residence; systems needing state review require plans and specifications, and installers of individual and small systems must be state-certified4. A separate Sully County septic permit or inspection for a conventional single-residence system could not be confirmed, so ask DANR at (605) 773-4647 and Planning and Zoning before installation3,9. Only 23% of Sully County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, making a site and soil evaluation an important purchase contingency10. For a subdivision, the state must approve the practicality of septic disposal before lot-size approval2.

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

Sully County's RV rule addresses recreational vehicle parks, not a landowner living in one RV on a private parcel: an RV park requires conditional-use review by the Board of Adjustment.

Sully County's RV rule addresses recreational vehicle parks, not a landowner living in one RV on a private parcel: an RV park requires conditional-use review by the Board of Adjustment1. RV-park and associated tent-camp facilities need electrical, water and sewer service adequate for the proposed use1. Sully County allows manufactured-home dwellings where they are listed as permitted uses in residential districts, subject to the district, airport-noise, setback, lot-area and other zoning rules1. A tiny-home-specific occupancy rule, private-parcel RV rule and general minimum dwelling size could not be confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning about the unit, mapped district and occupancy plan before purchase or placement3. A small structure is not automatically exempt from the county building-permit requirement1.

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

Confirm whether the parcel is under Sully County or incorporated-place jurisdiction, then get its mapped zoning district and permitted use from Planning and Zoning.

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is under Sully County or incorporated-place jurisdiction, then get its mapped zoning district and permitted use from Planning and Zoning1,3.
  2. Resolve platting and subdivision improvements before the building-permit application if the parcel must be platted1,2.
  3. Confirm legal road access and ask the Highway Department about any county-road approach1,7.
  4. Evaluate soils and confirm the onsite-wastewater path with South Dakota DANR4,9.
  5. Submit the county building-permit application, fee, project details and scale drawing to the Planning and Zoning Administrator1,6.
  6. Arrange applicable electrical and plumbing permits and inspections; qualifying owner electrical work still needs a homeowner permit and inspection5,11.

What should you check before buying land in Sully County?

Start with jurisdiction, mapped zoning district, legal access and septic feasibility: county zoning excludes incorporated places that exercise their own jurisdiction, and only 23% of Sully County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field.

Start with jurisdiction, mapped zoning district, legal access and septic feasibility: county zoning excludes incorporated places that exercise their own jurisdiction, and only 23% of Sully County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field1,10. In a new subdivision, water must reach each lot to county specifications; well-served lots must be large enough to avoid conflicts between water supply and sewage disposal2. Most land is comparatively gentle, with 94.2% at a slope of 15% or less, but only 0.5% is wooded10. Annual precipitation averages 19.3 inches, and severe drought occurs in 12.3% of years10. A water-right permit is required only when the proposed use meets state triggers, and any required approval must precede drilling12. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.9%, and the median annual bill is about $1,69710.

Watch-outs

  • Sully County's county rule adopts the Uniform Building Code only for steps and landings at mobile or manufactured home parks; ask Planning and Zoning which construction standards apply to other work1,3.
  • An owner may qualify to perform electrical work on an owner-occupied residence or farmstead, but the exemption is from licensure, not the homeowner permit or inspection requirements5.
  • South Dakota's default code framework uses the 2024 International Building Code for covered nonresidential work, but excludes residential structures, manufactured homes, farmsteads and accessory structures from that default; county zoning and building-permit requirements still apply1,13.

Sources

13 official pages, each quoted and re-checked · written October 7, 2026

  1. Sully County Building Permit Application
  2. One-Stop Permitting and Regulation Guide (2025 Edition)
  3. Sully County Planning and Zoning (sully.sdcounty.gov)
  4. On-Site Wastewater Systems in South Dakota (South Dakota statewide rule)
  5. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule)
  6. Sully County Building Permit Application
  7. Sully County Highway Department (sully.sdcounty.gov)
  8. Instructions: Applying for permission for driveway or intersection on a South Dakota state highway (South Dakota statewide rule)
  9. South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (danr.sd.gov)
  10. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  11. South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Inspections (South Dakota statewide rule)
  12. South Dakota Water Rights — Drilling a Well (South Dakota statewide rule)
  13. South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 11-10: Building Codes and Standards

Written October 7, 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.

Off-grid gear

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like 4 of the 5 neighbors with published rules, Sully County has countywide zoning.

RuleSully CountyPotter CountyHughes CountyHyde CountyStanley CountyDewey CountyWalworth County
Building permitRequiredLimitedRequiredLimitedRequiredLimitedRequired
County zoningYesNot publishedYesYesYesNoYes
Septic permitsDANRDANRDANRDANRDANRDANRDANR

County locator

Sully County in South Dakota

44
County map
Sully County highlighted among the South Dakota counties · colored by Index score

How Sully County scores

44 / 100 · #52 of 66 in South Dakota · six factors, land price, tax, rain and climate

Seclusion89100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1798% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability35100% ev.
Property Autonomy67100% ev.
Carry Cost7996% 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 →

$286kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$2,501Land / acre
19.3"Annual rain
12.3% of yrsSevere drought
16.5 / yr (+11.1)Mid-century 100°F days
21.9 daysMid-century dry spell
1.34" (+7.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.42×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,957Home insurance / yr
4.8% / yrInsurance growth
3.17%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
38,186People within 2 hr
1,383Radius comparison (15 mi)
1.5People / sq mi
8.9%Federal land
94.2%Land at 15% slope or less
23%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
138,750 acWorkable land screen
0.5%Wooded land
10.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
45.3°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Sully County

Inside a city, town or township here, that government usually sets zoning and may issue its own building permits; the county’s rules above cover land outside them.

Town of Agar · Onida

Answers from the rulebook for Sully County

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

Sully County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    County building-permit applications, including construction in areas that must be platted.

    • A plat must be approved and filed before a building permit will be approved where the area must be platted.
    • A scale drawing must be attached.
    • The permit expires if work has not started within twelve months of approval.
    • Work must be completed within a reasonable length of time.

    permit validity before work starts: 12 months (The application states that work must be completed within a reasonable length of time.)

    “There shall be no building or structure erected, added to, or structurally altered unless there has been a permit issued”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Steps and landings for mobile or manufactured homes in mobile or manufactured home parks.

    • The ordinance states that the Uniform Building Code applies to steps and landings in this specific context.
    • Other building-code applicability was not separately established.
    “All steps and landings shall conform to the Uniform Building Code as adopted by Sully County.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Final zoning-conformity inspection after completion of a permitted job.

    • The final inspection is discretionary because the ordinance says the Zoning Administrator may make it.
    • The inspection determines conformity to the zoning ordinance, not necessarily all building-code or trade-code compliance.
    “Upon completion of the job, the Zoning Administrator may make a final inspection to determine conformity to this ordinance.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Property within Sully County except incorporated places that have exercised jurisdiction pursuant to statute.

    • The ordinance states that incorporated places are excluded where they have exercised jurisdiction pursuant to statute.
    • The ordinance was adopted April 1, 2003 and amended in 2006, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
    “All property within the boundaries of Sully County (except areas of the county where incorporated places have exerted jurisdiction pursuant to statute).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Property within Sully County except areas where incorporated places have exerted jurisdiction pursuant to statute.
      “All property within the boundaries of Sully County (except areas of the county where incorporated places have exerted jurisdiction pursuant to statute).”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    County aggregate: county zoning applies in unincorporated areas, while incorporated places may exert jurisdiction under statute.

    • This aggregate claim does not assert that the county administers municipal ordinances.
    “All property within the boundaries of Sully County (except areas of the county where incorporated places have exerted jurisdiction pursuant to statute).”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts published in the Sully County Zoning Ordinance.

    • The ordinance's table of contents lists Agriculture Districts A, B, and C; One Family Residential Districts 1-A and 2-C; Multiple Family Residential District; Local Business District; Industrial District; Industrial Park District; Riverfront District; Mobile or Manufactured Home Parks; Planned Unit Development; Airport Noise Zones A and B; and Recreational Vehicle Park District.
    • Incorporated places may exercise jurisdiction pursuant to statute.
    “Sections 4-101 to 4-107 Agriculture District A 42 - 45”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — County zoning districts and the official zoning map.
      “said map shall be the official zoning map, for the purpose of enforcement of this ordinance. In case of doubt or dispute, the description of said zones shall govern.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    One Family Residential District 1-A in the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • The 10,000-square-foot minimum applies to permitted uses in a subdivision with planned streets, community water supply, and community waste facilities.
    • Religious or cultural uses require one acre.
    • Lots built upon before community water and waste systems are available use the Agriculture District C lot-area requirement.

    required lot area: >= 10000 square feet (Religious or cultural uses require one acre; pre-utility lots use Agriculture District C requirements.)

    “Not less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet for permitted uses located in a subdivision with planned streets, community water supply, and community waste facilities. For religious or cultural uses, one (1) acre is required.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    One Family Residential District 1-A in the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • Front setback is 25 feet, except 50 feet from Highway 83 and 1804 rights-of-way.
    • Rear setback is 25 feet.
    • Side setback is at least 10 feet, with the two side yards totaling at least 20 feet.

    front setback: 25 feet (50 feet from Highway 83 and 1804 rights-of-way) · rear setback: 25 feet · side setback: >= 10 feet (Combined side yards must be at least 20 feet)

    “1. Minimum front yard setback: Twenty-five (25) feet. a. Minimum setback from Highway 83 and 1804 rights-of-way shall be fifty (50) feet. 2. Minimum rear yard setback: Twenty-five (25) feet. 3. Minimum side yard setback: Not less than ten (10) feet, but the sum of the two side yards shall not be less than twenty (20) feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    One Family Residential District 1-A in the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • All buildings, including accessory buildings, are limited to 30 percent of lot area.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent (Includes accessory buildings)

    “All buildings, including accessory buildings, shall not cover more than thirty (30) percent of the area of the lot.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    County zoning districts, including Agriculture District C and residential districts.

    • Height limits vary by district.
    • The ordinance allows specified exceptions for appurtenances and certain public or semi-public structures with Board of Adjustment findings and additional yard space.
    • Federal Aviation Administration or South Dakota aeronautics height limits also apply where stricter.

    Agriculture District C maximum building height: <= 35 feet (No more than two and one-half stories.) · One Family Residential District 1-A maximum building height: <= 35 feet (No more than two and one-half stories.)

    “No building shall exceed two and one-half (2½) stories, or thirty-five (35) feet in height.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicle parks and tent camps in the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • A recreational vehicle park requires a conditional-use application reviewed and approved or denied by the Board of Adjustment.
    • The application must include location, space, access, utility, water, wastewater, and drainage information.
    “The application for a recreational vehicle park shall be processed in accordance with conditional use permits. Such application shall be reviewed and approved or denied by the Board of Adjustment.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Tent camps associated with recreational vehicle parks in the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • RV parks and tent camps require conditional-use review.
    • Adequate electrical, water, and sewer facilities must be designed for the vehicles or tent camps served.
    “Accessory buildings, electrical, water, and sewer facilities shall be designed to provide services adequate for the type of recreational vehicles and/or tent camps to be served. The adequacy will be reviewed by the Board at the hearing for the conditional use.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured-home dwellings in the county residential zoning districts where listed as permitted uses.

    • Placement remains subject to the applicable residential district, airport-noise restrictions, setbacks, lot area, and other ordinance requirements.
    • Commercial mobile or manufactured home parks are conditional uses under the cited residential district provision.
    “The principal permitted uses common to all residential districts, including the placing of mobile and manufactured homes.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater systems in Sully County, including subdivision review and conventional individual-residence systems.

    • South Dakota DANR administers state minimum requirements under SDCL Chapter 34A-2 and ARSD Article 74:53:01.
    • Local governments may impose more stringent requirements.
    • For subdivisions, septic-tank disposal practicality must be approved by SDDENR before lot-size approval.
    • Subdivision septic systems must be installed by certified installers.
    “The practicality of septic tank disposal shall be approved by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

    Subdivisions in unincorporated Sully County outside municipal jurisdiction.

    • Water supply must be completed to each lot according to Sully County standard specifications.
    • If water is supplied by wells, lot sizes must be large enough to avoid conflict between sewage disposal and water supply.
    • The practicality of safe well water supply must be approved by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
    • In subdivisions served by adequate water supplies, fire hydrants must be placed as directed by the Sully County Planning Commission.
    “Water supply shall be completed to each lot in accordance with standard specifications of Sully County.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plats and development in Sully County.

    • The ordinance contains plat, preliminary-plan, final-plan, road, drainage, erosion-control, septic, water-supply, and improvement-assurance requirements.
    • No building permits for individual lots may be issued until required road improvements are completed and the quality-assurance form is received.
    “No plat of any subdivision shall be approved unless the improvements required by this Ordinance have been agreed upon.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Each zoning lot under the Sully County zoning ordinance.

    • The zoning lot must front on a public street at least 25 feet wide for at least 20 feet, or have permanent access by an unobstructed easement at least 20 feet wide.

    public street width: >= 25 feet · public-street frontage length: >= 20 feet · access easement width: >= 20 feet

    “Each zoning lot shall front on a public street of not less than 25 feet in width for a distance of not less than 20 feet or shall have a permanent access to such a public street by an unobstructed easement of not less than 20 feet in width.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Sully County Planning and Zoning administrative fees.

    • The fee schedule states an effective date of February 3, 2021.
    • Building permit fee is $10 plus $1 per thousand over $1,000 of estimated construction cost, based on materials plus labor.
    • One-time renewal is 50 percent of the original fee.
    • No or late permit is standard fee plus 20 percent.
    • Fees are waived for tax-exempt structures.
    • Other listed fees include plat $150, conditional use $300, variance $300, appeal $300, and rezone $400.

    building permit fee base: 10 USD (plus $1 per thousand over $1,000 estimated construction cost) · one-time renewal: 50 percent of original fee · no/late permit surcharge: 20 percent (added to standard permit fee)

    “BUILDING PERMIT …….. $10 + $1 PER THOUSAND OVER $1,000*”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Sully County Planning and Zoning administrative fees.
      “EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 3, 2021 BUILDING PERMIT …………… $10 + $1 PER THOUSAND OVER $1,000* *Estimated construction cost (materials + labor)”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Sully County planning, zoning, subdivision, and related permit processes.

    • The county planning page publishes the current zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, and fee schedule.
    • Subdivision preliminary and final plans require specified review and approval steps.
    • The reviewed materials do not establish that every ordinary residential project follows the same process.
    “Click the following link to view the current Sully County Zoning Ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Sully County building permit applications.
      “Please return application and applicable fee to: Sully County Planning and Zoning Administrator”

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”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    State statutory allocation of authority for county controls concerning the size of residential buildings and structures.

    • A county board may adopt a zoning ordinance; SDCL 11-2-13 does not itself state a statewide minimum dwelling-size measurement.
    • Any actual dimensional requirement depends on the county zoning ordinance adopted for the applicable area or district.
    “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.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    New or modified on-site wastewater systems in Sully County, including systems serving more than a conventional individual residence.

    • South Dakota on-site wastewater rules are minimum requirements; local governments may impose more stringent requirements.
    • DANR contact is required before installation of any new on-site system except a conventional on-site system serving an individual residence.
    • Plans and specifications must be submitted to DANR for installations receiving human excreta other than a conventional individual onsite system.
    • For works of sanitary significance, plans and specifications must be submitted at least 30 days before planned construction.
    • Installers of individual and small wastewater systems must be certified by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission.

    advance plan-submission period for works of sanitary significance: >= 30 days (Does not state that this period applies to conventional individual onsite systems.)

    “These regulations are the state’s minimum requirements and standards, but local governments may have more stringent regulations.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Installation, equipment, and operation of on-site wastewater systems statewide.

    • The secretary or the secretary's authorized representative may inspect at any time; the rule authorizes inspection but does not make every installation inspection mandatory.
    “may be made at any time by the secretary or the secretary's authorized representative.”
  • 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 — Drilling a water well in South Dakota; a state water right permit is needed only for certain water uses, not for every well
      “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.”
  • Shed and accessory-building permit exemptionConditional

    State default International Building Code design standard for buildings in local units of government that have not adopted their own building code ordinance; exclusion covers farmstead accessory structures and buildings

    • Applies only to the statewide default IBC standard under SDCL 11-10-6, which governs buildings within a local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance under SDCL 11-10-5.
    • The default standard applies only to a building commenced after July 1, 2026 (construction commenced on July 1, 2026 is not covered).
    • Exclusion covers any residential structure as defined in SDCL 11-10-12, mobile or manufactured home, or farmstead and any accessory structure or building thereto.
    • 'Farmstead' means a farm or ranch, including any structure or building located on the land.
    • Each local unit of government may adopt an ordinance allowing local administration and enforcement of the design standard; local ordinances under 11-10-5 are not displaced by this exclusion.
    • No statewide accessory-structure size threshold was found.

    default design standard: 2024 International Building Code (does not apply to residential structures, mobile/manufactured homes, or farmsteads and their accessory structures or buildings) · building commenced: > 2026-07-01 (applies only to buildings commenced after July 1, 2026)

    “the provisions of this section do not apply to any residential structure as defined in § 11-10-12, mobile or manufactured home, or farmstead and any accessory structure or building thereto. for purposes of this section, "farmstead" means a farm or ranch, including any structure or building located on the land.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Farmstead accessory structures and accessory structures of one/two-family dwellings and townhouses, excluded from the default 2024 IBC design standard in local units without an adopted building code ordinance. This is NOT a floor-area building-permit exemption.
      “the provisions of this section do not apply to any residential structure as defined in § 11-10-12, mobile or manufactured home, or 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.”
  • 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.”
  • county building authorityLimited

    County authority to prescribe building standards and issue building permits for construction in South Dakota, including unincorporated areas.

    • Section 11-10-5 expressly addresses ordinances adopted by any local unit of government, and expressly provides for amendments to a county ordinance filed with the county auditor.
    • That provision concerns buildings other than residential structures as defined in § 11-10-12.
    • Section 11-10-12 expressly authorizes a municipality to enact residential-structure requirements using the 2024 International Residential Code, rather than expressly extending that authorization to counties.
    • A county, municipality, or township may not require permits for specified repairs or substantially similar replacements to existing exterior parts of a detached single-family owner-occupied residential structure, except designated historical property repairs authorized under chapter 1-19B.
    • Construction under the default § 11-10-6 standard is subject to the residential, manufactured-home, farmstead, accessory-structure, and specialty-resort exclusions stated there.

    nonresidential code: 2024 International Building Code (County ordinances may amend, modify, or delete portions before enactment; HUD-compliant mobile or manufactured homes and specified Group R-3 specialty resorts or vacation home establishments are excluded; no single-family dwelling fire sprinkler may be required.) · permit exemption effective date: 2026 (Applies to listed repairs and substantially similar replacements of existing exterior parts.)

    “Additional deletions, modifications, and amendments to the county ordinance may be made by the governing body and are effective upon their adoption and filing with the county auditor. [...] Notwithstanding any authority granted to a county, municipality, or township to prescribe building codes or standards or to issue building permits, a county, municipality, or township may not require a building permit for the repair or substantially similar replacement of any of the following existing exterior parts of a detached single-family owner-occupied residential structure:”

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 the county zoning jurisdiction.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Sully County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Sully County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in unincorporated Sully County.

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 Sully County, South Dakota

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

Sully County scores 44/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,383 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (19.3″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

How much does land cost in Sully County, South Dakota?

Land in Sully County runs about $2,501 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Sully County?

Sully County gets about 19.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 12.3% of years.

How remote is Sully County?

A typical private-land location has about 1,383 people within 15 miles and 140,771 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

How Sully compares in South Dakota

Compare side-by-side →See all 66 South Dakota counties ranked →