South DakotaSouth Dakota law uses 2024 codes for local building rules
South Dakota law bases local building rules on 2024 codes and sets a default design standard for certain building work started after July 1, 2026.
What it does
Local governments that set building rules for most nonresidential buildings must base them on the 2024 building code. They may change parts of it, and some mobile homes and resorts are excluded.
Where local building rules have not been adopted, building work started after July 1, 2026, must use a design standard based on the 2024 building code. Homes, farmsteads, and some other buildings are excluded.
Local governments that set rules for maintaining existing buildings and property must base them on the 2024 property maintenance code. They may change parts of it, subject to a protection for manufactured homes.
Municipalities may set residential building rules by adopting the 2024 residential code and changing parts of it. They cannot require sprinklers or set stricter rules than that code.
Argument forUsing shared building standards could help builders and local officials work from the same code, while local governments can still change parts of it.
Argument againstBuilders could face a statewide design standard for work started after July 1, 2026, in places where local governments have not adopted building rules.
More detail
Local governments that adopt building rules for most nonresidential buildings must base them on the 2024 International Building Code. The rules cover buildings other than residential structures. Local governments may change or remove parts of the code before adopting their rules. Rules may not require sprinklers in single-family homes. Rules may not cover mobile or manufactured homes that meet federal housing standards when built, or qualifying specialty resorts and vacation homes that meet the code's Group R-3 rules.
Building work must use a design standard based on the 2024 International Building Code when local building rules have not been adopted. The standard applies within a local government's boundaries when that government has not adopted building rules. A local government may adopt an ordinance to administer and enforce the standard. The standard does not apply to residential structures, mobile or manufactured homes, farmsteads, or buildings and accessory structures on farmsteads. An exception for certain nonresidential mobile or manufactured homes requires compliance with accessibility standards for the intended use. The standard applies to building work commenced after July 1, 2026.
Local governments that adopt rules for maintaining existing buildings and property must base them on the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code. The rules concern maintenance of existing buildings and property. Local governments may change or remove parts of the code before adopting their rules. Rules may not conflict with federal housing standards that applied to manufactured homes when they were built.
A municipality may set residential building rules by adopting the 2024 International Residential Code. Residential structures include detached one- or two-family homes, townhouses up to three stories with a separate exit, and their accessory buildings. A municipality may change any part of the code. It may not require sprinklers in a residential structure or set requirements stricter than the code.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 4Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-04 S.J. 452Became Law
- Feb 25Delivered to the Governor on 2026-02-25 S.J. 395To Governor
- Feb 24Signed by the Speaker H.J. 435Major
- Feb 23Signed by the President S.J. 365Major
- Feb 20House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 64, NAYS 3 H.J. 395Passed House
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19House of Representatives Deferred to another day , Passed, H.J. 372
- Feb 18House of Representatives Deferred to another day , Passed, H.J. 361
- Feb 17House of Representatives Deferred to another day , Passed, H.J. 341
- Feb 12Local Government Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 1 H.J. 10Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 9Referred to House Local Government H.J. 262Minor
- Feb 6First Reading House H.J. 247
- Feb 5Senate Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 199Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 3
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Local Government Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 3Minor
- Feb 4Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 26First read in Senate and referred to Senate Local Government S.J. 112Introduced
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