Accessory Structures in South Dakota (2026)
10 rules on the books across South Dakota, 4 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
ADU Rules
Rules for building accessory dwelling units (granny flats, in-law suites) including size limits, parking requirements, and owner-occupancy rules.
Lincoln County
Heavy RestrictionsUnincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota does not allow accessory dwelling units in a shed or detached garage: §…
Read full rule →Rapid City
Significant RestrictionsRapid City requires the property owner to live on-site to have an accessory dwelling unit, limits each single-family…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls allows one detached accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot as a permitted special use, capped at 40%…
Read full rule →ADU Owner Occupancy
Whether the property owner must live on-site to operate an ADU, deed-restriction requirements, and recent state-law changes lifting owner-occupancy rules.
Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City requires the property owner to live in either the main house or the accessory dwelling unit before an ADU…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls allows one detached accessory dwelling unit per lot in its detached-dwelling zoning forms, but the primary…
Read full rule →ADU Rental Restrictions
Whether an ADU can be rented short-term (Airbnb), 30-day minimums, separate rental licenses, and long-term lease requirements.
Shed & Carport Rules
When a storage shed or carport needs a permit, the square-footage exemption thresholds, and the setback and height limits that apply either way.
Lincoln County
Some RestrictionsAccessory buildings like sheds in unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota must sit at least three feet from side…
Read full rule →Minnehaha County
Some RestrictionsMinnehaha County exempts one-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar accessory structures up to…
Read full rule →Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City exempts small accessory sheds from the building permit requirement but treats larger ones like any other…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSheds under 200 square feet skip a building permit but still need a zoning placement permit, and any detached accessory…
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