Minnehaha County, SD Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- NEC National Electric Code, § 101.4.8
- Administering authority
- State of South Dakota
- Permit required
- Yes, via county building official
- Governing ordinance
- MC 61-22, effective May 31, 2022
- Maximum penalty
- Fine plus 30 days jail, SDCL 22-6-2(2)
Summary
Minnehaha County applies the National Electric Code as adopted by the State of South Dakota to every electrical installation, alteration, repair, and replacement, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, and fittings. Section [A] 105.1 of the county's 2021 IBC ordinance requires a permit from the building official before electrical work covered by the code begins; only minor work may be exempted.
[A] 101.4.8 Electrical. The provisions of the NEC National Electric Code as adopted by the State of South Dakota and shall apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances thereto. The NEC National Electric Code shall be administered by the State of South Dakota.
Full Breakdown
8 of Minnehaha County's 2021 IBC ordinance states that the provisions of the NEC National Electric Code, as adopted by the State of South Dakota, apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances. The section specifies the NEC is administered by the State of South Dakota rather than the county, mirroring how the state also administers the adopted plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, and fire codes referenced elsewhere in the same ordinance. 1 covers electrical work: an owner or authorized agent who intends to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace an electrical system regulated by the code must first apply to the building official and obtain a permit, and only the building official or Planning Director may exempt minor work from that requirement.
3 requires the written application to identify the work, describe the property by legal description or street address, and state the intended use and occupancy. Ordinance MC 61-22 was adopted April 19, 2022, took effect May 31, 2022, and its standards govern any building permit issued after May 27, 2022; a printed copy is kept on file with the County Auditor.
Violations & Fines
Section [A] 114.4 makes violating the electrical provisions of the 2021 IBC, including doing electrical work without the required county permit, punishable by a fine up to the amount set in SDCL 22-6-2(2), by up to thirty days' imprisonment, or both, and the county may also pursue civil injunctive relief under SDCL Chapter 21-8. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the building official may issue a written stop-work order under Section 115.2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a county permit for electrical work in Minnehaha County?
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What happens if I skip the electrical permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minnehaha County
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