Bolthole Index

Walworth County, South Dakota

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

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

All new construction outside city limits in Walworth County, South Dakota requires a building permit from the County Zoning Administrator, and the county's published guidelines list a charge of $25 plus $1 per thousand dollars over $1,000.12 County zoning applies in unincorporated areas, while the City of Mobridge and other incorporated municipalities administer their own land-use rules and building permits.34 South Dakota DANR sets septic rules for every address in the county, and a conventional system serving one residence is excepted from advance DANR contact.5

At a glance

Building permit
Required for all new construction outside city limits1
Permit fee
$25 plus $1 per thousand over $1,000, per published guidelines2
Zoning
County zoning applies in unincorporated areas; municipal rules may differ64
Septic
State rules apply; conventional systems serving one residence are excepted from advance DANR contact5
RV living
Long-term occupancy rules are not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning7
Tiny homes
No general occupancy or minimum-size rule confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning7
Owner electrical work
Qualifying owner-occupants may wire their own residence or farmstead with a homeowner permit and inspections8
Domestic well
A water-right permit is generally not required below the state domestic-use thresholds9

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Walworth County Planning & Zoning

County building permits and zoning for unincorporated Walworth County

(605) 649-7602

gpudwill@walworthco.org

PO Box 292, Selby SD 57472-0292

Septic permits

South Dakota DANR On-Site Wastewater Systems

State rules and plan-review questions for individual and small onsite wastewater systems

(605) 773-4647

DANRmail@state.sd.us

523 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501-3182

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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

Yes. All new building construction outside city limits in Walworth County requires a permit from the County Zoning Administrator.1 The county page provides a Walworth County Building Permit Application.7 The published Building Permit Guidelines list a charge of $25.00 plus $1.00 per thousand over $1,000.00, and a new-construction permit runs for 1 year; the county ordinance separately lets the Board of County Commissioners set the fee schedule by resolution, so confirm the current amount with the office.2 Approval depends on compliance with the zoning ordinance and setback requirements; the Planning Commission decides applications needing a variance or conditional-use permit.10

A county permit does not settle every trade requirement. South Dakota requires plumbing inspection certificates for covered plumbing installations outside cities that run their own inspection programs.11 State-regulated electrical work also has permit and inspection steps, including rough-in inspection before wiring is covered and final inspection before occupancy.12 We could not confirm a current county building-code edition, routine inspection sequence, or separate certificate-of-occupancy rule, so ask Planning & Zoning what standards and closeout documents apply.7

Who issues building and zoning permits in Walworth County?

Walworth County Planning & Zoning is the starting office for building permits and zoning questions outside city limits.7 The County Zoning Administrator may issue a permit when the application conforms to zoning and setback requirements; requests involving a variance or conditional use go to the Planning Commission.10 Call the office at the listed number or send materials to its Selby mailing address.7

Ask the office to confirm the parcel's mapped district, allowed use, setbacks, application documents, and whether Planning Commission review is needed before committing to a building location.1310 We could not confirm one setback that applies to every parcel. If the land is inside an incorporated municipality, contact that municipality because local land-use administration varies and Mobridge issues its own city building permits.4

Does Walworth County have zoning?

Yes. Walworth County's zoning ordinance divides the unincorporated area into districts shown on the Official Zoning Map, and the map is the final authority on the current zoning of land and structures.36 The parcel's mapped district is therefore the first question for a house, manufactured home, agricultural building, accessory structure, or other proposed use.13 Incorporated municipalities may administer their own land-use rules, so do not apply the county answer to land inside a city.4

South Dakota law allows counties to regulate building size, lot occupancy, yards, open space, density, and the location and use of buildings and land, but that authority does not establish Walworth County's parcel-specific limits.14 We could not confirm a current general minimum home size, universal setback, lot-coverage limit, or accessory-dwelling rule. Ask Planning & Zoning for a written district determination before relying on a seller's description.7 Agricultural status is not a blanket exemption from county zoning or permitting.15

How do septic permits work in Walworth County?

South Dakota DANR sets the rules for individual and small onsite wastewater systems, including systems in Walworth County.16 Advance DANR contact is required before installing a new onsite system except a conventional system serving one residence.5 Plans are required for systems receiving human waste other than a conventional individual system, and works of sanitary significance must be submitted at least 30 days before planned construction.5 Local governments may impose stricter requirements, so confirm the county step with Planning & Zoning before installation.57

Site conditions still matter: about 60.6% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field.17 Treat that countywide figure as a screening signal, not a parcel soil test. When water or electricity is unavailable, state rules identify specified unconventional sanitation options, and experimental systems require plan approval before installation.18

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Walworth County?

Walworth County's published materials do not provide a confirmed countywide answer for long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, or a general minimum dwelling size on unincorporated private land. Ask Walworth County Planning & Zoning how the parcel's district treats the proposed unit and use before moving an RV onto the site or buying a tiny home.7

A small or movable structure is not automatically outside the permit system: Walworth County requires building permits and applies zoning in unincorporated areas.1920 Describe whether the unit has wheels, a foundation, sleeping space, plumbing, and year-round occupancy when contacting the office, because those details let staff identify the relevant application and zoning category.7 For off-grid sanitation, South Dakota allows specified alternatives when water or electrical service is unavailable, but most unconventional systems are treated as experimental and require approval before installation.18

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

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is outside city limits and ask Walworth County Planning & Zoning to identify its zoning district.47
  2. Prepare the building-permit application around the district rules and applicable setbacks.110
  3. If the proposal needs a variance or conditional-use permit, allow for a Planning Commission decision.10
  4. Resolve wastewater design before installation; advance DANR contact is not required for a conventional system serving one residence, but other new systems require contact and local rules may be stricter.5
  5. Determine whether the proposed domestic well needs a water-right permit before drilling.9
  6. Obtain required state plumbing and electrical paperwork and schedule inspections before work is covered.1112
  7. Before occupancy, complete the required final electrical inspection and ask Planning & Zoning what county closeout documentation applies.217

What should you check before buying land in Walworth County?

Start with the zoning map and a parcel-specific discussion with Walworth County Planning & Zoning; county zoning applies in unincorporated areas.20 Verify legal access and determine whether a proposed driveway meets a county road or a state highway, because new or modified state-highway access requires state permission before construction.22

For water, ask DANR whether the proposed use requires a water-right permit; when a permit is required, approval must come before well drilling.9 For wastewater, allow room for a site evaluation because only about 60.6% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field.17 Check flood mapping and ask the local administrator whether the site is in a regulated floodplain; participating South Dakota communities require permits for floodplain development, but we could not confirm the unincorporated county's exact process.23 If you plan to split a parcel, South Dakota requires parcels that cannot be described except by metes and bounds to be platted into lots and the plat recorded before any transfer instrument is recorded.24 Finally, budget around an effective property-tax rate of about 1.4%, while recognizing that the actual bill depends on assessment and classification.25

Watch-outs

  • Do not assume a farm or ranch building skips local review; the state farmstead exclusion concerns a specific default design standard and does not waive county zoning or building permits.15
  • A qualifying owner may perform electrical work only under the state owner exemption, with a homeowner permit and required inspections; the exemption is not a county building-permit waiver.8
  • Walworth County RV, tiny-home, minimum-size, and county floodplain procedures remain parcel-specific questions for Planning & Zoning.7

Sources

  1. 2024 Warhawk Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, quoted and re-checked
  2. Building Permit Guidelines, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  4. 2024 Warhawk Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, quoted and re-checked
  5. One-Stop Permitting and Regulation Guide (2025 Edition), quoted and re-checked
  6. Walworth County Zoning Ordinance #2017-1, quoted and re-checked
  7. Walworth County Planning & Zoning (walworthco.org)
  8. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. South Dakota Water Rights: Drilling a Well, quoted and re-checked
  10. 2024 Warhawk Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, quoted and re-checked
  11. South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Inspections (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. South Dakota Electrical Wiring Rules Bulletin (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  14. 2000 Session Laws Chapter 69 — Planning and zoning statutes revised (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 11-10: Building Codes and Standards (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. South Dakota Feedlot Permit Program - Septic Tank Systems, quoted and re-checked
  17. 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
  18. Administrative Rule 74:53:01 — Individual and Small On-Site Wastewater Systems (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. 2024 Warhawk Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (2026 county census)
  20. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  21. South Dakota Electrical Commission - Homeowner Wiring (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Instructions: Applying for permission for driveway or intersection on a South Dakota state highway (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. National Flood Insurance Program (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 43-21, Survey and Recording of Plats (South Dakota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 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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Compared with neighboring counties

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

RuleWalworth CountyCampbell CountyPotter CountyEdmunds CountyMcPherson CountySully CountyFaulk County
Building permitRequiredNot requiredLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesNoNot publishedYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsDANRDANRDANRDANRDANRDANRDANR

County locator

Walworth County in South Dakota

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

How Walworth County scores

Seclusion88100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1998% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability37100% ev.
Property Autonomy67100% ev.
Carry Cost87100% 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 →

$141kTypical home
1.4%Property tax
$2,513Land / acre
19.6"Annual rain
10.2% of yrsSevere drought
9.4 / yr (+7.6)Mid-century 100°F days
21 daysMid-century dry spell
1.38" (+8.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.45×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,590Home insurance / yr
2.2% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
782People within 30 min
86,224People within 2 hr
2,136Radius comparison (15 mi)
7.4People / sq mi
20.1%Federal land
97.1%Land at 15% slope or less
60.6%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
259,230 acWorkable land screen
0.7%Wooded land
9.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
43.7°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Walworth 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.

Not yet researched: Town of Akaska · Town of Glenham · Town of Java · Town of Lowry · Mobridge

Answers from the rulebook for Walworth County

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

Walworth County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    All new building construction outside city limits in Walworth County.

    • The 2024 plan states the requirement applies outside city limits.
    • Approval depends on conformity with zoning ordinances and setback requirements; variance or conditional-use matters go to the Planning Commission.
    “All new building construction outside of City Limits requires a building permit from the County Zoning Administrator.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning in the unincorporated areas of Walworth County.

    • The accessible ordinance states that its jurisdiction is the unincorporated areas of Walworth County.
    • The county website lists an ordinance amended 10-15-24, but the linked .doc file was not machine-readable; current amendments may affect operative provisions.
    “Pursuant to SDCL 11-2, 1967, as amended, the provisions of this Ordinance shall apply within the unincorporated areas of Walworth County, South Dakota, as established on the map entitled “The Official Zoning Map of Walworth County, South Dakota.””
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Zoning regulation in the unincorporated areas of Walworth County.
      “Walworth Co Zoning Ordinance Adopted Amended 10-15-24”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across unincorporated Walworth County and incorporated municipalities.

    • The county administers zoning in unincorporated areas; incorporated municipalities may administer their own land-use rules.
    • The 2024 county plan separately identifies county permitting outside city limits and City of Mobridge permitting within city limits.
    “All new building construction outside of City Limits requires a building permit from the County Zoning Administrator. [...] Within the City of Mobridge, building permits are issued by the Zoning Officer as long as the permit meets all requirements.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Land and structures in the unincorporated area of Walworth County, South Dakota.
      “The unincorporated area of the County is hereby divided into zones, or districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Ordinance.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Official zoning districts and map for unincorporated Walworth County.

    • The county planning page identifies an official zoning map and an amended zoning ordinance dated 10-15-24.
    “The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply within the unincorporated areas of Walworth County, South Dakota, as established on the map entitled “The Official Zoning Map of Walworth County, South Dakota.””
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Walworth County building permits administered under the county Building Permit Guidelines.

    • The published charge is $25.00 plus $1.00 per thousand over $1,000.00.
    • The county ordinance separately provides that the Board of County Commissioners establishes the fee schedule by resolution.
    • The fee guideline lists permit-duration rules: new construction—1 year; renovations/repair—6 months; demolition—6 months; temporary—1 year then removed.

    base building permit charge: 25 USD · additional charge over $1,000 project cost: per 1 USD per thousand (Applies over $1,000.00)

    “COST: $25.00 + $1.00 PER THOUSAND OVER $1,000.00”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit process for new construction outside city limits.

    • Application must conform to zoning ordinances and setback requirements.
    • Variance or conditional-use issues are decided through the Planning Commission.
    • The source does not provide a complete current checklist, fee schedule, inspection sequence, or certificate-of-occupancy procedure.
    “The Zoning Administrator can issue a building permit if the application conforms with the zoning ordinances, meets setback requirements, etc. If the application doesn’t meet the requirements or requires a variance or a conditional use permit then the Planning Commission will make the decision.”

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”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    South Dakota building-code adoption framework for local governments, including residential structures and county or municipal construction standards.

    • For residential structures, the statute authorizes the governing body of a municipality to adopt the 2024 International Residential Code; the quoted residential authorization does not name counties.
    • A residential-structure rule may not require installation of a sprinkler system and may not impose requirements more stringent than the 2024 International Residential Code.
    • A residential structure means a detached one-family or two-family dwelling, a townhouse not more than three stories with a separate means of egress, and related accessory structures.
    • For buildings other than residential structures, a local-unit ordinance must comply with the 2024 International Building Code, subject to statutory exclusions and permitted amendments.
    • The nonresidential rule does not apply to HUD-compliant mobile or manufactured homes, may not require fire sprinklers in a single-family dwelling, and does not apply to qualifying specialty resorts or vacation-home establishments constructed to Group R-3 requirements.
    • Where a local unit has not adopted a qualifying ordinance, the default 2024 International Building Code design standard applies to covered construction commenced after July 1, 2026, but the default does not apply to residential structures, mobile or manufactured homes, farmsteads, or accessory structures.

    residential model code: 2024 International Residential Code (Municipal governing body authorization; no sprinkler requirement; no requirements more stringent than the code) · nonresidential model code: 2024 International Building Code (Statutory exclusions apply) · default nonresidential design-standard commencement: > 2026-07-01 (The default does not apply to residential structures, mobile or manufactured homes, farmsteads, or accessory structures)

    “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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • 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.”
  • 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

    South Dakota regulation of individual and small on-site wastewater systems, including Walworth County.

    • South Dakota DANR identifies Chapter 74:53:01 as the governing state rule chapter.
    • Installer certification is administered through the South Dakota Plumbing Commission.
    “South Dakota's regulations for on-site wastewater systems are found in the Administrative Rules of South Dakota, Chapter 74:53:01 at this link.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • State — Individual and small on-site wastewater systems statewide in South Dakota.
      “The authority for regulating on-site wastewater systems is found in SDCL Chapter 34A-2.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    On-site wastewater installations affecting Walworth County.

    • DANR contact is required before any new on-site system except a conventional on-site system serving an individual residence.
    • Plans and specifications must be submitted for installations receiving human excreta other than a conventional individual onsite system.
    • Works of sanitary significance require submission at least 30 days before planned construction.
    • Local governments may impose more stringent requirements.

    advance submission: >= 30 days (works of sanitary significance)

    “You should contact DANR prior to the installation of any new on-site system except those conventional on-site systems serving an individual residence. DANR will review information about the on-site system to make sure it complies with the regulations.”
  • 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 Walworth 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 Walworth 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.

  • 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
  • Short-term rentals

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 Walworth County.
  • Septic inspection — On-site wastewater inspections in Walworth County.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Required connection to public water or sewer utilities in unincorporated Walworth 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 Walworth County, South Dakota

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

Walworth County scores 47/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 782 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (19.6″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.

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

Walworth County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

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

Land in Walworth County runs about $2,513 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Walworth County?

Walworth County gets about 19.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.2% of years.

How remote is Walworth County?

A representative private-land location has about 782 people within a 30-minute drive and 86,224 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Walworth compares in South Dakota

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