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South Dakota Statewide Rule

South Dakota HOA Board Procedures: Governed by the Nonprofit Corporation Act, SDCL ch. 47-22 to 47-28

Few RestrictionsApplies statewide across South Dakota (2026)

Key Facts

Governing act
Nonprofit Corporation Act, SDCL ch. 47-22 to 47-28
Records inspection
Members may inspect all books and records for any proper purpose at any reasonable time (SDCL 47-24-2)
Annual meeting & quorum
Annual members' meeting required (SDCL 47-23-4); default 10% quorum (SDCL 47-23-12)
Voting
One vote per member unless limited (SDCL 47-23-8)
Directors
At least three, elected per the articles or bylaws (SDCL 47-23-14, 47-23-16)
Open board meetings
Not required by statute - depends on the bylaws
Last verified: August 20, 2026

Summary

Most South Dakota HOAs are nonprofit corporations, so governance follows SDCL ch. 47-22 to 47-28. Members may inspect all books and records for any proper purpose under SDCL 47-24-2, an annual meeting is required under SDCL 47-23-4, each member gets one vote (SDCL 47-23-8), and a 10% quorum applies under SDCL 47-23-12. There is no statutory open-board-meeting mandate.

47-23-24 . Corporate officers--Appointment and term of office--Ex officio members of board of directors. The officers of a corporation shall consist of a president, one or more vice - presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary, each of whom shall be elected or appointed at such time and in such manner and for such terms not exceeding three years as may be prescribed in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. In the absence of any such provision, all officers shall be elected or appointed annually by the board of directors. If the bylaws so provide, any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary. The articles of incorporation or the bylaws may provide that any one or more officers of the corporation shall be ex officio members of the board of directors. The officers of a corporation may be designated by such additional titles as may be provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. Unless the articles of incorporation or the bylaws so prescribe, officers need not be directors.

Full Breakdown

An HOA organized as a nonprofit corporation is governed by the Nonprofit Corporation Act, SDCL ch. 47-22 to 47-28. Under SDCL 47-24-1 each corporation must keep complete books, records of account, and minutes, and SDCL 47-24-2 provides that "all books and records of a corporation may be inspected by any member, or his agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time." An annual members' meeting is required (SDCL 47-23-4); special meetings may be called by the president, the board, or members holding one-twentieth of the voting power (SDCL 47-23-5); written notice runs not less than ten nor more than fifty days before the meeting (SDCL 47-23-7); each member has one vote unless limited (SDCL 47-23-8); and one-tenth of the votes is a quorum (SDCL 47-23-12). There must be at least three directors (SDCL 47-23-14), elected as the articles or bylaws provide (SDCL 47-23-16). The Act imposes no open-board-meeting requirement.

Violations & Penalties

No specific statutory penalty. If a corporation refuses a proper-purpose records inspection under SDCL 47-24-2 or ignores the meeting and notice rules in SDCL 47-23-4 to 47-23-7, a member's recourse is to demand compliance and, if needed, seek a court order compelling it. The Act sets no fine for noncompliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I inspect my South Dakota HOA's records?
Usually yes, if the HOA is a nonprofit corporation. SDCL 47-24-2 provides that all books and records may be inspected by any member, or the member's agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time, and SDCL 47-24-1 requires the corporation to keep complete books, records of account, and minutes.
Does South Dakota require HOA board meetings to be open to members?
No. The Nonprofit Corporation Act (SDCL ch. 47-22 to 47-28) imposes no open-meeting or member-attendance requirement on HOA boards. The Act requires an annual members' meeting (SDCL 47-23-4) with notice (SDCL 47-23-7), but board-meeting access is governed by the articles and bylaws.
How are South Dakota HOA board members elected?
Under SDCL 47-23-16, directors after the first board are elected or appointed in the manner and for the terms set by the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. A nonprofit corporation must have at least three directors (SDCL 47-23-14), and each member generally has one vote (SDCL 47-23-8).

Sources

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