Yankton building department

Yankton’s Department of Community and Economic Development issues building permits inside city limits and in the city’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The ETJ covers land within one mile of the city limits, where Chapter 28 of the city code governs zoning. Building Services is a small office: Building Official Gregg Homstad and Building and Code Inspector Jacob Olson work out of City Hall at 416 Walnut Street. Applications are filed on paper or PDF forms from the city website. Yankton has no online permit portal.

When a permit is required

The city requires a building permit for new construction, additions, alterations, and repairs, and to move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building. Yankton specifically lists shingling, siding, and window replacement as permitted work. For one- and two-family homes these use a separate Exterior Building Permit application (roofing, siding, windows, doors).

The city publishes these exemptions. Zoning setbacks still apply, and work in a special flood hazard area may still need a floodplain development permit:

Exempt from a building permit	Limit
One-story detached accessory structure	Floor area of 120 sq ft or less
Fence	Not over 7 ft high
Retaining wall	Not over 4 ft, unless supporting a surcharge
Prefabricated swimming pool	Less than 18 in. deep
Water tank on grade	Up to 5,000 gallons, height-to-width ratio 2:1 or less
Finish work	Painting, papering, tiling, carpet, cabinets, countertops
Playground equipment, window awnings	Awnings projecting 54 in. or less with no extra support

What to submit

The Building Services page lists the required submittals:

• A scaled plot plan showing easements, property lines, the proposed work, and distances to property lines and existing buildings
• The address and legal description
• A floor plan, wall section, and elevations
• Mechanical and plumbing plans if the Building Official asks for them
• A complete list of contractors
• The total project cost, not including land

Plumbing and electrical contractors must be licensed by the State of South Dakota. Separate plumbing and storm water permits may be required.

The city also publishes Residential Deck Guidelines, Asphalt Shingle Roofing Guidelines, an Egress Window Worksheet, sidewalk/driveway and right-of-way excavation permit applications, and building and mobile home moving forms.

Adopted codes and local rules

Yankton has adopted the 2021 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Codes, the 2023 National Electrical Code, ICC A117.1-2017, and the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code. The local amendments are linked from the Building Services page.

The city’s 2025 deck guidelines require a site plan plus a framing plan and section drawing. Plans do not have to be professionally prepared. Self-supported deck footings must be at least 12 inches deep in undisturbed soil, and footings for decks attached to the house at least 42 inches below grade. Rear-yard decks kept as open space may extend 15 feet into the required rear setback but may not occupy a side-yard setback. See do I need a permit for a deck for general background.

The roofing guidelines allow at most two layers of shingles and require ice and water shield at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line.

2026 fee schedule highlights

The city’s fee schedule dated 01/01/2026 sets building permit fees by total valuation, adopted by Resolutions 05-21 and 24-68:

Item	Fee
Valuation $1-$500	$10
Valuation $2,001-$25,000	$32.50 for first $2,000 + $4.00 per additional $1,000
Valuation $50,001-$100,000	$212 for first $50,000 + $2.50 per additional $1,000
Valuation over $100,000	$337 for first $100,000 + $1.50 per additional $1,000
Residential exterior permit (shingles, siding, windows, doors)	$20
Demolition permit	$20
Moving permit	No fee
Storm water permit, single-family dwelling	$25
ETJ permit, residential principal structure	$45
ETJ permit, residential accessory or addition	$25
Variance application	$75

If no valuation is available, the city uses a table: $91.29 per sq ft for finished habitable space, $22.82 for unfinished basements, $30 for garages, and $25 for decks. Water meters and water/sewer taps are priced separately, for example $455 for a 3/4-inch meter.

Plumbing, electrical, and inspections

Yankton does not issue plumbing permits. Since March 18, 2019, plumbing permits and inspections have been handled by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission (605-773-3429). The city does enforce its own amendments for service line materials, tracer wire, and service line depth. It also licenses and bonds plumbing contractors working in the city and issues water meters and water/sewer tapping permits.

Building inspections are arranged with the Building Official at (605) 668-5253 or the Building and Code Inspector at (605) 668-5259.

Zoning, floodplain, and storm water

• Zoning is in Chapter 27 of the city code, and ETJ zoning is in Chapter 28. Uses that do not conform to zoning go through a public hearing. Community and Economic Development Director Brad Bies is at (605) 668-5251.
• Floodplain: Yankton participates in the NFIP, and its current FIRMs are dated July 6, 2010. A Floodplain Development Permit is required for any development in the floodplain under Chapter 11, Article IV. Some minor activities fall under a general permit but may still require notice.
• Storm water: The department runs the MS4 storm water management plan and issues construction storm water permits.

Office and contact

City Hall is at 416 Walnut Street (PO Box 176), Yankton, SD 57078. Building Official: (605) 668-5253. The city’s main number is (605) 668-5221. Monthly building permit reports are posted on the Building Permit Reports page.