Lincoln County, South Dakota Building Permit Guide

Lincoln County has 9 incorporated municipalities and 16 townships. The County’s 2050 plan names Sioux Falls, Canton, Harrisburg and Tea as the largest cities and gives 2020 Census figures of 36,162 for the Lincoln County part of Sioux Falls, 6,732 for Harrisburg, 5,598 for Tea and 3,066 for Canton. The County Planning & Zoning Department, 104 N Main Street, Suite 220, Canton, covers only the unincorporated county.

This guide covers the County Planning & Zoning Department, Harrisburg and Tea. Sioux Falls’s website could not be checked and Canton’s permit page could not be read, so contact those cities directly.

What requires a building permit in Lincoln County?

In the unincorporated county, a new or replacement septic system or holding tank needs a County On-Site Wastewater System application, and any development in a flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit. In Tea, fences, decks, sheds, re-roofing and re-siding each need a permit ($25.00 Fee), and major remodels carry a minimum fee of $25.00.

South Dakota has no state-enforced building code: each city or county decides whether to adopt one. The state Electrical and Plumbing Commissions permit and inspect those trades, except in a few cities that run their own inspections. South Dakota rules

Who handles permitting in Lincoln County?

Lincoln County and city rules

County roads

A new driveway on a county road needs a Highway Access Permit and work in county right-of-way a Utility Permit, each filed at least two weeks before work starts; oversize/overweight permits are filed at least two days ahead.

Sioux Falls joint area

The County has a joint Lincoln County and Sioux Falls conditional use permit packet for land in the joint zoning area.

Harrisburg

Building Services issues all permits in the city and does building inspections; applications, payments and inspection requests go through its online permit portal. Building permits are valid for one year from issuance, and sewer and water service lines must be inspected by a City official (self-inspection of those lines is no longer allowed).

Tea

Permits come from Planning & Zoning/Building Services, and inspections are booked directly with the Tea Building Inspector.

Lincoln County permit costs and fees

The County fee schedule, effective June 1, 2021:

• Residential: 0.4% of the construction valuation or $50.00, whichever is greater; finished site-built living space is valued at $80.00 per sq. ft.
• Agricultural: 0.2% of the construction valuation or $50.00, whichever is greater.
• Commercial: 0.45% of the construction cost or $50.00, whichever is greater, capped at a building valuation of $5,000,000.
• Zoning permit: $50.00; permit extension $50.00 (maximum 180 days).

Electrical and plumbing in Lincoln County

For County permits, plumbing inspections are done by the SD Plumbing Commission (1-605-773-3429) and electrical inspections by the SD Electrical Commission (1-800-233-7765).

Electrical and plumbing permits come from the state commissions, except in a few cities that issue their own. South Dakota rules

How to get a building permit in Lincoln County

Inspections in Lincoln County

County: call (605) 764-2938, leaving a message if needed, and allow 24 hours’ notice.

Harrisburg: call 605-646-1344 at least 24 hours ahead.

Tea: call or text the Building Inspector at (605) 366-5483.

Official Lincoln County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Lincoln County Planning & Zoning
• Lincoln County applications and permits
• Lincoln County building permit fee schedule
• Lincoln County building inspection information
• Harrisburg Building Services
• Tea Planning & Zoning/Building Services

Frequently asked questions

Does Lincoln County issue building permits inside cities?

No. The County covers the unincorporated area; the nine municipalities handle their own planning and zoning.

What is the Lincoln County residential permit fee?

0.4% of the construction valuation or $50.00, whichever is greater.

How do I book an inspection in Tea?

Call or text the Tea Building Inspector at (605) 366-5483.

Simplify Lincoln County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm whether the parcel is under the county, a city or a joint jurisdiction area
• Prepare the county or city application, site plan and any septic, floodplain or road permit
• Line up the state electrical and plumbing permits and schedule the building inspections

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in South Dakota. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Lincoln County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.