Building permits, zoning and land rules in Jones County, South Dakota
50Index Score / 100 #25 of 66 in South Dakota
Jones County, South Dakota appears not to require a county building permit in unincorporated areas, but an official county statement confirming that practice could not be found; ask the Jones County Auditor before building1. County zoning likewise appears absent but remains worth confirming for a specific parcel2. On-site wastewater systems are regulated by South Dakota rather than a Jones County septic office3.
At a glance
Building permit
Appears not required in unincorporated areas; confirm with the County Auditor1
Zoning
Appears absent at county level; parcel-level rules remain unconfirmed2
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Do you need a building permit in Jones County, South Dakota?
Unincorporated Jones County appears not to require a county building permit for residential construction, but the County Auditor should confirm the current practice before work begins1. We could not confirm a general county building-inspection process or certificate-of-occupancy rule, so ask the same office about both when describing the exact parcel and project7. If Jones County has no applicable local building-standard ordinance, covered nonresidential buildings begun after July 1, 2026 use the 2024 International Building Code as the state fallback design standard8. That fallback does not apply to residential structures, mobile or manufactured homes, farmsteads, or farmstead accessory buildings48. South Dakota also exempts preparation of plans for a farm or ranch building or accessory from professional-design licensure rules, except for buildings regularly used by the public; that is not a blanket exemption from permits, zoning or sanitation requirements5. South Dakota also bars counties, municipalities and townships from requiring a building permit to repair or replace, like for like, a door or window of the same dimensions, a gutter, downspout, fascia, soffit, fencing, or nonstructural siding on a detached owner-occupied single-family home9. Separate state electrical permits and inspections and state plumbing inspection certificates may still apply1011.
Who handles building permits and other land-use questions in Jones County?
Jones County does not have a verified building-department contact in the available local office listing, so the practical starting point is the Jones County Auditor's Office at the courthouse in Murdo7. Ask the Auditor whether Jones County has adopted a building-standard ordinance and whether a county permit, inspection, certificate of occupancy, subdivision approval, county-road approach approval or floodplain review applies to the parcel7. That ordinance question matters for a covered nonresidential project because the state fallback standard applies when a local government has not adopted one8. The South Dakota Electrical Commission administers qualifying homeowner wiring permits and inspections12, while the state plumbing program requires an installation certificate and inspection outside cities with their own inspection requirements11. Dividing land into parcels that can only be described by metes and bounds requires a recorded plat before the transfer is recorded, inside or outside city limits13. In a mapped floodplain, South Dakota communities that take part in the National Flood Insurance Program must require permits for all development, so ask the Auditor whether Jones County participates147. A driveway connecting to a state highway needs South Dakota Department of Transportation permission before access construction begins15.
Does Jones County have zoning?
Jones County appears to have no county zoning ordinance, but no current text-based official county statement was found to confirm that conclusion2. South Dakota law allows a county board to regulate land use, building height, lot coverage, yards and population density through zoning, so statewide authority alone cannot answer what applies to a Jones County parcel16. Ask the County Auditor whether the parcel is inside unincorporated Jones County and whether any current county, municipal, subdivision or deed restriction controls setbacks, minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, accessory dwellings or building height7. Do not assume that an apparently absent county zoning ordinance makes every use unrestricted: the county's rules for subdivision, floodplain development and county-road access also could not be confirmed from an official local source7.
How do septic permits work in Jones County?
On-site wastewater systems in Jones County follow South Dakota rules administered by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources3. Systems serving places without public wastewater service and constructed after February 28, 1975 must comply with the state's on-site wastewater chapter17. DANR or an authorized representative may inspect a system's installation, equipment and operation, although the rule does not promise a routine inspection of every system18. A new on-site system cannot be used where qualifying public wastewater service is available, including when the state rule's municipal-or-district and service-request conditions are met and a sewer line is within 400 feet19. Site evaluation matters here because only about 2.5% of Jones County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field20. Installers of individual and small systems must be certified by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission, and plans for installations other than a conventional individual system must go to DANR at least 30 days before construction begins21. The state rules are minimums, and local governments may impose stricter septic requirements, so also ask the Auditor whether Jones County has any217. Contact DANR about installation-plan requirements before finalizing the house site22.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Jones County?
We could not confirm a Jones County rule allowing, limiting or prohibiting long-term RV occupancy on private land, so ask the County Auditor before using an RV as a residence7. Tiny-home placement and occupancy, manufactured-home placement, temporary camping and accessory dwellings are likewise unconfirmed for unincorporated Jones County2. An apparent lack of county zoning is not enough to prove those uses are unrestricted2. Any wastewater arrangement still has to fit South Dakota's sanitation rules: where water or electrical service is unavailable, the allowed alternatives include vault privies, chemical toilets, incinerator toilets or composting units, and non-vault unconventional systems need advance state approval as experimental systems23. A vacation home operated as short-term lodging requires a South Dakota lodging-establishment license and inspection24.
Building a home in Jones County: the steps, in order
Confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated Jones County, then ask the County Auditor about building, zoning, subdivision, floodplain and county-road requirements7.
Have the site evaluated for wastewater suitability and discuss the proposed on-site system with South Dakota DANR before fixing the house location1722.
Arrange the applicable state electrical permit and inspections; a qualifying owner-occupant may personally wire a residence or farmstead but must obtain an approved homeowner permit before beginning12.
Secure the plumbing installation certificate and inspection required outside cities that administer their own plumbing inspections11.
Obtain state-highway access permission before building a driveway onto a South Dakota highway15.
Obtain construction-stormwater coverage if the project disturbs one acre or more25.
Schedule the required final electrical inspection before occupancy10.
What should you check before buying land in Jones County?
Start with wastewater feasibility: only about 2.5% of Jones County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation part of the purchase decision20. Water planning also deserves attention because annual precipitation averages about 19.9 inches and severe drought has occurred in about 11.7% of years2627. Ordinary domestic water use generally needs no water-right permit, but a permit is required if use exceeds 25,920 gallons per day or a peak pump rate of 25 gallons per minute, and approval must come before drilling when a permit is required6. An owner may drill the owner's own well; otherwise the driller must be licensed, and a new domestic well requires laboratory water testing6. Access needs separate confirmation because a state-highway approach requires state permission, while Jones County's county-road permit practice could not be confirmed157. Jones County is very lightly settled at about 0.9 person per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 201 miles from the county center, so price travel for contractors, materials and services into the project2829.
Watch-outs
Jones County's building-permit and zoning practices are not confirmed by a current official county statement; ask the County Auditor before relying on either answer127.
RV, tiny-home, manufactured-home, temporary-camping and accessory-dwelling rules remain unconfirmed for unincorporated Jones County2.
A parcel near public sewer may have to connect rather than use an on-site wastewater system when the state rule's availability conditions are met19.
Written October 9, 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.
Jones County highlighted among the South Dakota counties · colored by Index score
How Jones County scores
Seclusion89100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency18100% ev.
Admin Boringness86100% ev.
Durability38100% ev.
Property Autonomy67100% ev.
Carry Cost8394% 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 →
$117kTypical home
1.2%Property tax
$1,596Land / acre
19.9"Annual rain
11.7% of yrsSevere drought
23.9 / yr (+15.4)Mid-century 100°F days
23.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.25" (+5.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.4×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
state median fallbackInsurance basis
27,502People within 2 hr
915Radius comparison (15 mi)
0.9People / sq mi
3.8%Federal land
85.8%Land at 15% slope or less
2.5%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in Jones 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.
Buffalo Township · Town of Draper · Draper Township · Dunkel Township · Kolls Township · Mullen Township · Murdo · Mussman Township · Okaton Township · Scovil Township · Virgil Township · Williams Creek Township · Zickrick Township
Answers from the rulebook for Jones County
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Jones County rules
Building permitRequired
The Keystone XL Pipeline pump-station project located in Jones County, South Dakota.
The cited official record concerns a specific pipeline pump-station project and does not establish a general residential permit rule for every property or construction type in Jones County.
The permit had been approved and acquired as of the June 30, 2020 report.
“Jones County has a building permit requirement which has been approved and acquired.”
County-wide zoningAbsent
Jones County's listed government offices include no planning or zoning department, and county zoning is optional under SDCL 11-2, indicating no county zoning ordinance in this least-populous SD county.
An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in the owner's residence or farmstead, including qualifying owner-owned single-family construction and private non-habitable property, in Jones County and elsewhere in South Dakota.
The exemption is from electrical licensure requirements; it does not eliminate applicable electrical-code compliance, inspection, or permit requirements.
The individual must personally install the electrical wiring and fixtures.
The property must be the person's own residence, own farmstead, a single-family dwelling under construction that the owner intends to occupy as the person's residence when complete, or private non-habitable property not substantially used in connection with the person's trade or business.
An approved homeowner wiring permit is required before electrical work starts.
The homeowner wiring permit may not be used by another person, including a licensed electrician or electrical contractor, and a homeowner may not perform work under a contractor's wiring permit.
Homeowners may not use the permit for commercial or rental property.
A homeowner may not use the permit for a mobile home or modular home unless the unit is located on an owner-occupied lot at the time of installation; mobile homes or modular homes on rented lots or in mobile home parks must be wired by a licensed South Dakota electrical contractor.
A wiring permit is required for electrical wiring performed under an owner's exemption.
The application requires proof of ownership containing the property's physical address.
The minimum inspection fee stated on the current application is $150, plus a $20 permit fee; additional inspection fees may apply under the inspection-fee schedule.
At least 72-hour notice must be given for inspections; rough-in inspection must occur before insulation, sheetrock, paneling, or other covering, and a final inspection is required before occupancy.
The permit is valid for three years; the homeowner must obtain an extension permit if the installation continues longer than three years.
homeowner permit fee: 20 USD (plus the applicable inspection fee) · minimum inspection fee: 150 USD (additional inspection fees may apply) · inspection notice: >= 72 hours (notice is required before the applicable inspection) · permit duration: 3 years (an additional permit is required if the installation is not completed within three years)
“No license is required of a person installing electric wiring in or on: (1) The person's own residence”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Conditional — Owner-performed or owner-arranged repair or substantially similar replacement of specified exterior parts of a detached single-family owner-occupied residential structure in South Dakota, including Jones County and Murdo.
“may not require a building permit for the repair or substantially similar replacement [...] of a detached single-family owner-occupied residential structure”
Available (with conditions) — An individual owner personally installing electrical wiring and fixtures in a residence or farmstead owned and resided in by that individual.
“an "owner's exemption" as an exemption from licensure requirements”
Building code adoptedPartial
Nonresidential construction and related work commenced after July 1, 2026, within a South Dakota local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance under SDCL 11-10-5.
The design standard must be based on the 2024 edition of the International Building Code.
The rule applies only where the local unit of government has not adopted an ordinance prescribing the standards under SDCL 11-10-5.
The provision does not apply to residential structures as defined in SDCL 11-10-12.
The provision does not apply to mobile or manufactured homes.
The provision does not apply to a farmstead or any structure or building located on the farmstead.
The provision does not apply to a specialty resort or vacation home establishment constructed in compliance with Group R-3 of the 2024 International Building Code.
A local unit of government may adopt an ordinance allowing local administration and enforcement of the design standard.
design standard: 2024 International Building Code · construction commencement date: > 2026-07-01 (The statute states construction commenced after July 1, 2026.)
“The design standard for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of any building commenced after July 1, 2026, within the boundaries of any local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing the standards pursuant to § 11-10-5, must be based on the 2024 edition of the International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated. Each local unit of government may adopt an ordinance allowing local administration and enforcement of the design standard. 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.”
6 more reviewed findings on this topic
Partial — Nonresidential building construction in a South Dakota local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing building standards, including potentially Jones County if it has no applicable ordinance.
“The design standard for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of any building commenced after July 1, 2026, within the boundaries of any local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing the standards pursuant to § 11-10-5, must be based on the 2024 edition of the International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated. [...] 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.”
Partial — Construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of buildings commenced after July 1, 2026, within any South Dakota local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing building standards, including applicable unincorporated Jones County areas.
“The design standard for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of any building commenced after July 1, 2026, within the boundaries of any local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing the standards pursuant to § 11-10-5, must be based on the 2024 edition of the International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated. Each local unit of government may adopt an ordinance allowing local administration and enforcement of the design standard. 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.”
Partial — Nonresidential construction and other covered work commenced after July 1, 2026, within a South Dakota local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance under SDCL 11-10-5.
“The design standard for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of any building commenced after July 1, 2026, within the boundaries of any local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing the standards pursuant to § 11-10-5, must be based on the 2024 edition of the International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated.”
Partial — Statewide South Dakota building standards for construction and related work within a local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing standards under SDCL § 11-10-5.
“The design standard [...] of any building commenced after July 1, 2026 [...] must be based on the 2024 edition of the International Building Code”
Partial — South Dakota building-code standards for construction within local units of government, including unincorporated county areas.
“The design standard for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of any building commenced after July 1, 2026, within the boundaries of any local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing the standards pursuant to § 11-10-5, must be based on the 2024 edition of the International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated. [...] 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.”
Partial — South Dakota building-code adoption framework for local governments, including residential structures and county or municipal construction standards.
“The governing body of a municipality may enact requirements for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of a residential structure by adopting the 2024 edition of the International Residential Code, as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated.”
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.
“You must have a plumbing inspection certificate for all plumbing installations.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Limited — Electrical wiring installations subject to South Dakota Electrical Commission inspection.
“A final inspection is required for all jobs prior to occupancy.”
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 — On-site wastewater systems in Jones County, including premises where public wastewater collection and treatment systems are unavailable.
“All on-site wastewater systems designed for the reception and treatment of wastewater from premises including but not limited to homes, trailer courts, commercial establishments, businesses, parks, and institutions where public wastewater collection and treatment systems are not available, constructed after February 28, 1975, shall be constructed, added to, and altered in accordance with this chapter.”
Septic permitLimited
On-site wastewater systems in Jones County, including individual and small systems and other installations receiving human excreta, subject to South Dakota statewide minimum requirements.
South Dakota DANR plan review and approval is required before construction for installations receiving human excreta other than a conventional individual on-site wastewater system.
For works of sanitary significance, plans and specifications must be submitted at least 30 days before planned construction begins.
All persons who intend to install individual and small wastewater systems must be certified by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission; the ARSD states that no installer may engage in that business without first obtaining a certificate.
The state requirements are minimum requirements and local governments may impose more stringent regulations.
No person may install, construct, or operate a wastewater treatment or dispersal system that does not meet ARSD Chapter 74:53.
Existing on-site wastewater systems constructed before February 28, 1975, are generally not subject to the chapter unless changed, causing groundwater pollution, or allowing wastewater to surface.
An on-site wastewater system may not be constructed, installed, or operated where a public wastewater system is available.
DANR plan-submission lead time for works of sanitary significance: >= 30 days before planned commencement of construction · small on-site wastewater system threshold: <= 30 individuals served (or produces 7,500 gallons or less of wastewater per day)
“Plans and specifications for all installations which receive human excreta, other than a conventional individual on-site wastewater system, must be submitted to the secretary for review and approval prior to construction. Installation and operation of these systems shall be in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. A conventional individual on-site wastewater system may be designed and installed in accordance with this chapter without submission of project plans and specifications to the secretary for review and approval.”
Septic inspectionLimited
Installation, equipment, and operation of on-site wastewater systems in Jones County.
Inspection is authorized at any time by the secretary or the secretary's authorized representative; the rule does not state that every system receives a mandatory routine inspection.
“Inspection of the installation, equipment, and operation of an on-site wastewater system may be made at any time by the secretary or the secretary's authorized representative.”
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Sanitation systems at premises in Jones County where water or electrical service is unavailable.
Vault privies, chemical toilets, incinerator toilets, or composting units shall be used when a water or electrical system is unavailable.
Except for vault privies, unconventional systems are experimental and require plans and specifications submitted to the secretary for approval before installation.
Unconventional systems must be sized, installed, operated, and maintained according to manufacturer specifications; waste must be disposed of in vault privies, holding tanks, or according to ARSD 74:53:01:41.
Cesspools and pit privies are prohibited as specified by ARSD 74:53:01:18.
No wastewater may be deposited on the ground surface or allowed to enter state waters, subject to the stated graywater exception.
“Vault privies, chemical toilets, incinerator toilets, or composting units shall be used when a water or electrical system is not available. With the exception of vault privies, all unconventional systems are considered experimental systems, and plans and specifications shall be submitted to the secretary for approval as an experimental system prior to installation.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Allowed (with conditions) — Unconventional off-grid sanitation systems where a water or electrical system is unavailable statewide.
“all unconventional systems are considered experimental systems”
Well permitLimited
Water wells and associated water use in Jones County, including unincorporated areas.
Domestic water use generally does not require a water-right permit, but a permit is required when use exceeds either 25,920 gallons per day or a peak pump rate of 25 gallons per minute.
Examples of domestic use include household drinking, washing, sanitary and culinary uses; noncommercial garden or tree irrigation not exceeding one acre; stock watering; and 18 gallons per minute for schools, parks, and public recreation areas.
Commercial, industrial, institutional, irrigation, municipal, rural-water-system, suburban-housing-development, recreation, and fish-and-wildlife-propagation uses generally require a water-right permit when supplied from a private water supply, subject to the state page's distribution-system qualification.
If a water-right permit is required, it must be approved before well drilling; the chief engineer may authorize construction of a test well before permit approval.
A well driller must be licensed unless the owner is drilling the owner's own well; the official DANR page states, 'Unless you are drilling your own well, you need to hire a well driller who is licensed to construct wells in South Dakota.'
A new domestic well requires submission of a water sample to the South Dakota Department of Health Laboratory or another approved laboratory, with nitrate, coliform bacteria, sodium, conductivity, and sulfate analyzed at minimum.
domestic water use volume: > 25920 gallons per day (A water-right permit is required when domestic use exceeds this amount.) · peak pump rate: > 25 gallons per minute (A water-right permit is required when domestic use exceeds this rate.) · water distribution system threshold: <= 18 gallons per minute (A distribution system using 18 gallons per minute or less does not need a water-right permit.)
“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-well drilling and proposed water uses statewide in South Dakota.
“If a water right permit is needed, state law requires the permit to be approved prior to doing any well drilling.”
Mandatory utility hookupConditional
Premises in Jones County served or potentially served by a public wastewater system.
An on-site wastewater system may not be constructed, installed, or operated where a public wastewater system is available.
Availability exists when the structure or wastewater system is within a municipality or sanitary district, the public entity's sewer collection system is within 400 feet, and the municipality or sanitary district requests to provide service.
The rule addresses when connection to public sewer supersedes on-site wastewater; it does not establish that public sewer service exists at any particular Jones County parcel.
sewer collection system distance: <= 400 feet (Availability also requires the other conditions in ARSD 74:53:01:07.)
“No person may construct, install, or operate an on-site wastewater system where a public wastewater system is available. A public wastewater system is considered available to premises under the following circumstances:”
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.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Available (with conditions) — Farmsteads and accessory structures or buildings in a South Dakota local unit of government that has not adopted an ordinance prescribing construction standards under SDCL 11-10-5.
“The provisions of this section do not apply to [...] farmstead and any accessory structure or building thereto.”
Available (with conditions) — Preparation of plans and specifications for the erection, enlargement, or alteration of a farm or ranch building or accessory thereto in South Dakota, including Jones County.
“Any farm or ranch building or accessory thereto except any building regularly used for public purposes;”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Division of a government subdivision or platted tract or lot, within or outside municipal corporate limits, into parcels for transfer when the parcels cannot be described except by metes and bounds.
The parcels must be platted into lots, numbered, and the plat recorded before any instrument of transfer may be recorded.
If an actual survey is necessary, the land must be surveyed and the plat recorded.
The requirement does not apply to parcels subject to a contract with the United States Secretary of Agriculture under the Conservation Reserve Program that are being transferred to or from the South Dakota Building Authority.
“within or without the corporate limits of any municipality [...] he shall cause the parcels of land so divided to be platted into lots”
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.”
Short-term rentalsLimited
Vacation-home and similar short-term lodging operations in Jones County.
A South Dakota lodging establishment license is required for a vacation home.
The applicant must complete the online application and submit the correct fee.
The Regional Advisor reviews the application and schedules an inspection.
The Department of Health conducts an on-site inspection for compliance with South Dakota administrative rules, including ARSD 44:02:08 for vacation homes.
Steps 1 through 3 must be completed before issuance of a lodging license.
“Get a lodging establishment license for a bed and breakfast, specialty resort, hotel, or vacation home with these four steps.”
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Construction projects in Jones County, including residential, commercial, industrial, clearing, grading, excavation, road, and access-road work, when the total disturbed area is one or more acres.
Coverage is required when construction activities disturb one or more acres.
The Notice of Intent must include the first year's stormwater fee.
Fees are based on project acreage: under 5 acres, 5 to under 40 acres, 40 to under 80 acres, and 80 acres or more.
There is a 2.5% credit-card charge and a 0.75% eCheck charge.
project area: <5 acres (first-year stormwater fee is $100) · project area: 5 to <40 acres (first-year stormwater fee is $250) · project area: 40 to <80 acres (first-year stormwater fee is $500) · project area: 80+ acres (first-year stormwater fee is $750)
“NOIs must also include the first year's stormwater fee, billed to the owner of the project, as follows: Construction Stormwater Fees <5 acres | $100 5 to < 40 acres | $250 40 to < 80 acres | $500 80+ acres | $750”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Published (with conditions) — South Dakota state electrical wiring permits, including residential and farmstead wiring subject to state administration.
“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.”
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:”
Set by your township or city, not the county
In South Dakota, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Jones County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your township or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.
Zoning districts
Minimum dwelling size
Minimum lot size
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
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 unincorporated Jones County, South Dakota.
Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across Jones County municipalities and unincorporated areas.
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 Jones County, South Dakota
Is Jones County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Jones County scores 50/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 915 people within 15 miles and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (19.9″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.
Do you need a building permit in Jones County, South Dakota?
Jones County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by South Dakota Department of Agriculture & 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 Jones County, South Dakota?
Land in Jones County runs about $1,596 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Jones County?
Jones County gets about 19.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.7% of years.
How remote is Jones County?
A typical private-land location has about 915 people within 15 miles and 105,406 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.
