South Dakota building code

Codes in force in South Dakota

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Adopted locally¹¹

Applies to

Default IBC standard does not apply to residential structures, manufactured homes or farmsteads¹¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes³

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Adopted locally¹

Applies to

Detached one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses up to three stories, and their accessory structures¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes¹

Amendments

No sprinkler mandate; local IRC may not be more stringent than the 2024 IRC¹

Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)

Scope

Adopted locally⁴

Local amendments allowed?

Yes⁴

Energy code, residential

Scope

No statewide code⁵

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹²

Local amendments allowed?

Yes¹³

Amendments

ARSD 20:44:14:01(11)(a)-(f) state exceptions⁶

Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹⁴

Local amendments allowed?

Yes¹⁴

Amendments

ARSD 20:54:02:01 state exceptions¹⁵

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Fire safety regulations governing multifamily residences housing six or more families¹⁶

How South Dakota adopts building codes

SDCL ch. 11-10; SDCL 36-16, 36-25-15; ARSD 20:44, 20:54:02:01; SDCL 34-29B-2, ARSD 61:15:01:01

• 2024 International Building Code. If the governing body of any local unit of government adopts any ordinance prescribing standards for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of any building other than a residential structure as defined in § 11-10-12, the ordinance must comply with the 2024 edition of the International Building Code, as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated.³
• The governing body may amend, modify, or delete any portion of the International Building Code before enacting the ordinance.³
• 2024 IBC is the design standard for non-residential buildings commenced after July 1, 2026 where no local ordinance exists. 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.¹¹
• Default IBC standard does not apply to residential structures, manufactured homes or farmsteads. 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.¹¹
• Adopted locally. Each local unit of government may adopt an ordinance allowing local administration and enforcement of the design standard.¹¹
• 2024 International Residential Code. 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.¹
• The governing body may, at any time, amend any provision of the International Residential Code.¹
• No sprinkler mandate; local IRC may not be more stringent than the 2024 IRC. The governing body may not require the installation of a sprinkler system in a residential structure or impose any requirements that are more stringent than the requirements in the 2024 edition of the International Residential Code.¹
• Detached one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses up to three stories, and their accessory structures. For purposes of this section, "residential structure" means a detached one-family or two-family dwelling, and townhouses not more than three stories in height, with a separate means of egress and any accessory structure of the dwelling or townhouse.¹
• 2024 International Property Maintenance Code. If the governing body of any local unit of government adopts any ordinance prescribing standards for maintenance of existing structures and premises, the ordinance must comply with the 2024 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, as published by the International Code Council, Incorporated.⁴
• 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (voluntary standard, new residential). The State of South Dakota hereby adopts the International Energy Conservation Code of 2009, published by the International Code Council, as the voluntary standard applying to the construction of new residential buildings in the state.⁵
• Board of Technical Professions workgroup reviews model codes every three years from 2024. Beginning in the year 2024, and every three years thereafter, the Board of Technical Professions created under § 36-18A-14 shall convene a workgroup to review the latest edition of the model national codes referenced in this chapter.¹⁷
• National Electrical Code, 2023 edition, with South Dakota exceptions. "National Electrical Code," the code published by the National Fire Protection Association (2023 edition, including tentative interim amendments 23-1 through 23-15) with the following exceptions…⁶
• Statewide; applies everywhere. Electric light, power, and heating installations in this state shall conform to the National Electrical Code.¹²
• Effective November 12, 2024. All permits received on or after Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, will be inspected using the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC).⁷
• 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO) as adopted by the Plumbing Commission. All plumbing and plumbing systems must be designed, constructed, installed, improved, extended, and altered in substantial accord with the requirements of the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, (January 1, 2024) and any amendments or revisions, as adopted by the commission, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to protect the health, life, safety, and welfare of persons and property in this state.⁹
• Uniform Plumbing Code, 2024 edition, with South Dakota exceptions. All plumbing materials and plumbing systems or parts of plumbing systems installed must meet or exceed the minimum provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2024 edition, including Appendices A, B, C, D, E, I, K, L, M, N, O, Q, and R, with the following exceptions…¹⁵
• International Fire Code, International Building Code and International Mechanical Code, 2015 editions (State Fire Marshal rules). The standards of fire safety set forth in the International Building Code, 2015 edition; International Fire Code, 2015 edition; and the International Mechanical Code, 2015 edition; and referenced standards, except as modified, amended, or deleted in this chapter, are the rules of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety authorized by SDCL 34-29B-2.¹⁰

Applies to

Local units of government (municipalities and counties) that adopt codes; IRC adoption is a municipal power¹

Can local rules be stricter?

No¹

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see South Dakota building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.