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Minnehaha County, SD Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing ordinance
MC33-04, Sec. 2(2)
Enforcing official
County Planning Director
Applies to
Unincorporated Minnehaha County
Penalty
Class 2 misdemeanor, SDCL 7-18A-2
Notice method
Written notice, may be served by mail

Summary

Minnehaha County outlaws letting manure, garbage, tires, or debris pile up on unincorporated land if it becomes a harboring or breeding area for rodents and vermin. Ordinance MC33-04 puts the Planning Director in charge of enforcement.

City-specific rules exist: Sioux Falls has its own rodent control rules that differ from Minnehaha County's county-level regulations. If you live in Sioux Falls, check the city-specific page instead.

(2) Breeding place for flies, rodents, pests. The accumulation of manure, garbage, tires, debris or discarded items which is a potential harboring place and breeding area for flies, vermin and rodents.

Full Breakdown

Section 2(2) of Ordinance MC33-04, the county's Declaration and Abatement of Public Nuisances ordinance adopted November 23, 2004 and amended August 15, 2007, declares a nuisance any accumulation of manure, garbage, tires, debris or discarded items that becomes a potential harboring place and breeding area for flies, vermin and rodents on property in unincorporated Minnehaha County. This sits alongside related nuisance categories in the same section, including improper garbage or refuse accumulation under Section 2(6) and improper manure disposal limits under Section 2(8), which bars liquid or solid animal waste within 300 feet of a residence unless promptly injected or incorporated into the soil.

Enforcement runs through the Planning Director under Section 3, who may designate staff to assist, and who has a right of entry under Section 4 to inspect suspected violations after presenting credentials to an occupant or making a reasonable effort to locate the owner of unoccupied property. Section 5 requires written notice, which may be served by mail, once the Planning Director finds a violation, and the property owner or responsible party must abate the condition within the time stated in that notice.

Violations & Fines

Failing to abate a rodent-breeding nuisance after notice is a Class 2 misdemeanor under SDCL 7-18A-2, with each day of continued violation potentially a separate offense; the county may alternatively or additionally pursue civil abatement under SDCL 21-10-5 through 21-10-9.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers a rodent-nuisance violation in Minnehaha County?
Section 2(2) of MC33-04 makes it a nuisance to accumulate manure, garbage, tires, debris or discarded items that becomes a potential harboring place and breeding area for flies, vermin and rodents on unincorporated county land.
Does manure spreading have separate rodent-related limits?
Yes. Section 2(8) bars liquid animal waste within 300 feet of a residence unless immediately injected into soil, and solid waste within that distance unless incorporated within 24 hours, plus limits on spread thickness and slope, reducing conditions that attract rodents.
How is a rodent-breeding nuisance enforced?
The Planning Director inspects under Section 4's right of entry, issues written notice under Section 5 once a violation is found, and reports noncompliance to the State's Attorney under Section 6 if the person fails to abate within the notice period.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Minnehaha County

All Minnehaha County rules

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