CODE COMPLIANCE & Permits
South Dakota's primarily uses model building codes:
- International Building Code (IBC)
- International Residential Code (IRC)
How Building Codes Work in South Dakota
- Model Codes: States often adopt and adapt model codes, which are published by organizations like the International Code Council (ICC).
- Local Adoption: Local jurisdictions, such as cities and counties, then formally adopt these model codes to apply them within their specific area.
- State Oversite: The state essentially provides the framework and standard, but local entities are responsible for the final adoption and enforcement of the codes.
For Permits and Compliance: Contact your local city or county building department to find out which specific code version (like the 2021 IBC, for example) they have adopted and any local enforcement rules.
climate zone
CZ 6 (Climate Zone 6) The majority of South Dakota, including cities like Sioux Falls, falls into Zone 6
- Characteristics: Classified as a "cold" climate, Zone 6 has between 5,400 and 9,000 Heating Degree Days. It experiences cold winters and warm to hot summers, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from −10°𝐹 to 0°𝐹.
- Geographic variation: The presence of this zone in the southeast means that this area has slightly milder winters compared to the rest of the state, though still significantly cold.
- Building codes: Like Zone 7, buildings in Zone 6 are required to meet high energy efficiency standards, although requirements for insulation and other thermal measures may be slightly less stringent than in the very cold Zone 7.
CZ 7 (Climate Zone 7) The colder, higher-elevation areas of western South Dakota, such as the Black Hills, are in Zone 7
- Characteristics: Considered a "very-cold" climate, Zone 7 is defined by having between 9,000 and 12,600 Heating Degree Days (HDD). It is dominated by heating needs and has an average annual minimum winter temperature ranging from 0°𝐹 to 10°𝐹.
- Weather in North Dakota's Zone 7: The region experiences very cold, windy winters with average temperatures as low as 2°𝐹 in January, as well as warm summers. Frost-free days are limited, typically from late May to mid-September.
- Building codes: Construction in this zone requires high-performance insulation, windows, and airtight sealing to minimize heat loss during the long, cold winter.
How zones are used
Governing regulations:
The climate zones are used by builders and contractors to determine the insulation requirements for different parts of a home, such as the walls, attic, and foundation.
Specific requirements:
Buildings in the northern pockets of Zone 7 will have higher insulation standards than those in the rest of the state that fall under Zone 6, as they need to withstand colder winter temperatures.