Sioux Falls's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Sioux Falls allows a detached accessory dwelling unit on a single-family lot only if the owner lives in one of the two units on the property.
Key details: Owner-occupancy: one of the two units required. Units per lot: one additional dwelling unit max. Size cap: 40% of principal building. Parking: 2 off-street spaces required.
Renting out both the house and the ADU with no owner-occupant violates the accessory-use standard; the zoning administrator can deny or revoke the permitted-special-use approval and require correction before the unit can keep operating as an ADU.
ADU Owner Occupancy
Sioux Falls allows one detached accessory dwelling unit per lot in its detached-dwelling zoning forms, but the primary house or the ADU must be owner-occupied.
Key details: Owner-occupancy: One of the two units required. Units allowed: One detached ADU per lot. Size cap: 40% of main structure's sq ft. Parking: 2 off-street spaces required. Placement: Rear yard, 10 ft from main house.
Building or renting out a detached ADU without owner-occupancy of one of the two units is a zoning violation, enforceable by the Planning & Development Services zoning office; the property can be cited for violating the zoning ordinance and required to bring the use into compliance.
Shed & Carport Rules
Sheds under 200 square feet skip a building permit but still need a zoning placement permit, and any detached accessory building must meet strict setback and rear-yard coverage limits before it goes up.
Key details: Permit-exempt shed size: 200 sq ft or less. Zoning placement permit: still required regardless of size. Minimum setback: 2 ft side/rear if 60 ft from front. Rear yard coverage cap: 30% of rear yard, all accessories. Alley-entered garage setback: 10 feet from the alley.
Building Services and the Planning & Zoning Division enforce these rules; building without the required placement permit or violating a setback can draw a stop-work order, code enforcement citation, or an order to relocate or remove the structure.
ADU Rules
Sioux Falls allows one detached accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot as a permitted special use, capped at 40% of the primary home's size, in the rear yard only, with owner-occupancy and parking requirements.
Key details: Max ADU size: 40% of principal building's square footage. Location: Rear yard only, 10 ft from house. Parking: Two additional off-street spaces required. Occupancy: Primary home or ADU must be owner-occupied. Applies in: RS, RD-1, RD-2, RA-1, MH districts (DD2).
Building without the required zoning permit, exceeding the 40% size cap, skipping the extra parking spaces, or placing the unit outside the rear yard can draw a stop-work order and force removal or reconfiguration by Planning and Building Services.
The Bottom Line
Sioux Falls's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Sioux Falls is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Sioux Falls can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.