Swimming Pools & Spas in South Dakota (2026)
8 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
Pool Permits
Building and electrical permits required before installing a pool, including the depth and size thresholds that trigger them, and where above-ground and inflatable pools fall in or out of the rules.
Lincoln County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota, any structure regulated by the county's adopted building code…
Read full rule →Minnehaha County
Some RestrictionsMinnehaha County only exempts small prefabricated above-ground pools from the building permit required by the 2021 IBC…
Read full rule →Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City requires a building permit for most residential swimming pools but exempts small prefabricated ones. Under…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls exempts prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep from a building permit; anything deeper needs one from…
Read full rule →Fencing & Safety Requirements
Mandatory barriers around pools, spas, and hot tubs, minimum heights, self-latching gate specs, and the alarm, cover, and anti-entrapment rules that ride along with them.
Lincoln County
Some RestrictionsAny outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, or spa deeper than 18 inches in unincorporated Lincoln County, South Dakota must be…
Read full rule →Minnehaha County
Some RestrictionsMinnehaha County requires every residential swimming pool holding 18 inches or more of water to be enclosed by a…
Read full rule →Rapid City
Some RestrictionsRapid City requires every private swimming pool deeper than 24 inches to be walled or fenced at least 4 feet high, or…
Read full rule →Sioux Falls
Some RestrictionsSioux Falls requires private pools, hot tubs, and spas holding more than 24 inches of water to be enclosed by a…
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