Landscaping Rules in South Dakota (2026)
10 rules on the books across South Dakota, 2 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Tree Trimming
Rules about trimming trees that overhang sidewalks, streets, or neighboring properties, and when you need permission to prune city trees.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Permit requirements for removing trees on private property, protected and significant tree thresholds, replacement planting standards, and the penalties for unpermitted removal.
South Dakota: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsSouth Dakota has NO statewide tree-removal permit, diameter threshold, or replacement-tree mandate for private…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Few RestrictionsSioux Falls does not require a permit to remove a tree on private property. A permit is only required to remove a tree…
Read full rule →Weed Ordinances
Requirements to keep weeds and grass below a set height, the numeric limits (commonly 8 to 12 inches), abatement notices, and the liens cities can place after mowing it themselves.
South Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsSDCL § 38-22-23.13 lets a county weed and pest board confirm an infestation by resolution and order the landowner to…
Read full rule →Minnehaha County
Some RestrictionsGrass in a residential subdivision in unincorporated Minnehaha County cannot exceed 12 inches, and noxious weeds are…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls caps non-woody vegetation, including grass and weeds, at 8 inches under the city's Property Maintenance…
Read full rule →Water Restrictions
Watering schedules, drought restrictions, and limits on outdoor irrigation including which days and times you can water your lawn.
Rainwater Harvesting
Whether you can collect rainwater, how much you can store, and any permits or tank size restrictions for residential rain barrels and cisterns.
Native Plants
Incentives or requirements for using native and drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping, and rules about replacing traditional lawns.
South Dakota: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsSouth Dakota imposes no statewide mandate or prohibition on native plant landscaping. The one substantive constraint is…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Light RestrictionsSioux Falls exempts wildflower gardens and city-designated native plantings from its 8-inch weed height limit, letting…
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