Fence Regulations in South Dakota (2026)
14 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
Height Limits
Maximum fence heights for front, side, and back yards, including privacy fences, corner-lot visibility rules, and how height is measured on slopes and retaining walls.
Lincoln County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota, fences may rise to four feet anywhere on a lot, but a fence within 30…
Read full rule →Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City caps residential fences and walls at 4 feet in a required front yard and 6 feet everywhere else, per Rapid…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsFront-yard fences in Sioux Falls are capped at four feet, side and rear yard fences at six feet, and corner lots must…
Read full rule →Minnehaha County
Light RestrictionsMinnehaha County's 2021 IBC ordinance exempts fences up to 6 feet tall from the building permit otherwise required…
Read full rule →Fence Permit Requirements
Whether you need a building permit to install or replace a fence, and what the permit process and fees look like.
Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City requires a building permit for any fence over 6 feet in height, under Rapid City Municipal Code Section…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls requires a zoning fence permit before building any fence, with front-yard fences capped at four feet and…
Read full rule →Lincoln County
Few RestrictionsIn unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota, fences are exempt from a building permit under the county's adopted…
Read full rule →Neighbor Fence Rules
Rules about shared boundary fences, including who pays for construction and maintenance, and which side faces the neighbor.
Retaining Walls
Height limits and permit requirements for retaining walls, including engineering requirements for taller walls on sloped lots.
Minnehaha County
Some RestrictionsMinnehaha County exempts retaining walls up to 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the grade to the top of the…
Read full rule →Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City exempts short retaining walls from the building permit requirement but regulates taller ones and any…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls exempts retaining walls from a building permit only when they stay at or under 4 feet, measured from the…
Read full rule →Lincoln County
Light RestrictionsIn unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota, a retaining wall does not need a building permit if it stands 4 feet or…
Read full rule →Material Restrictions
Specific materials that are prohibited for fencing, such as barbed wire, razor wire, or electric fencing in residential zones.
Sioux Falls
Significant RestrictionsSioux Falls prohibits barbed wire fences in residential districts outright, and separately bans electric fencing…
Read full rule →Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City bans electrified fencing citywide except in the general agricultural and airport zoning districts, and bans…
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