South Dakota roofing: permits, codes and approvals

No state roofing license but a required contractor's excise tax license, optional local adoption of the 2024 IRC, the residential roofing storm-contract law (deductible ban and 72-hour cancellation), and 120-day mechanic's liens.

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1 · Product approvals

Product approvals

South Dakota has no state roofing product approval or listing system. Local building officials rely on the IRC's labeling rules, evaluation reports (ICC-ES, UL and similar) and manufacturer instructions.

Code evaluation reports (ICC-ES, UL, IAPMO): 48 roofing reports

2 · Permit forms

City re-roof permits

No statewide re-roof permit rule; cities and counties decide. A 2026 law bars permits for like-for-like gutter, fascia, soffit, siding, window and door work on owner-occupied homes, but roofing is not on that list.

Sioux FallsSioux Falls lists shingles among residential work that needs a building permit, and shingling on one- and two-family homes and townhomes requires a city Residential Roofing & Repair Contractor License.Rapid CityThe city says permits are required for roofing and other home repairs, and the roofer must hold a Rapid City contractor license (a state excise tax license isn't enough).

3 · Code rules

Code rules

No mandatory statewide residential code. Cities may adopt the 2024 IRC by ordinance and amend it, but may not make it stricter than the 2024 IRC or require home sprinklers. Official adoption page ↗

Local IRC adoption capped at 2024 IRC (SDCL 11-10-12)A municipality may adopt the 2024 IRC and change any part of it, but local rules can't be more stringent than the 2024 IRC.Permit-free exterior repairs exclude roofs (SDCL 11-10-15)Since 2026, local governments can't require a permit to repair or replace in kind doors, windows (same size), gutters, downspouts, fascia, soffits or nonstructural siding on owner-occupied single-family homes. Roof coverings are not included.Commercial work: 2024 IBC (SDCL 11-10-5)Local building codes for non-residential construction must follow the 2024 International Building Code, with local amendments allowed.

4 · Wind, fire and storm programs

Wind, fire and storm programs

No FORTIFIED or state roof grant program was found. South Dakota regulates residential roofing contracts after storms.

Residential roofing storm law (SL 2012, ch 198)Covers residential roofers, remodelers and builders doing roofing. It bans deductible rebates and gives homeowners a 72-hour right to cancel written storm damage repair contracts.

5 · License and insurance

License and insurance

South Dakota has no state roofing or general contractor license. Contractors need a contractor's excise tax license from the Department of Revenue; some cities license contractors locally.

Contractor's excise tax license (SDCL 10-46A-15)Anyone contracting for or doing construction, installation or repair of fixtures to real property must hold a South Dakota contractor's excise tax license.2% contractor's excise taxPrime contractors owe 2% of gross receipts and give subs a prime contractor exemption certificate for each project; subs still pay sales or use tax on materials.License number on building permits (SDCL 10-46A-12.1)Where a building permit is required, the contractor must include the excise tax license number with the permit.

6 · Lien and contract forms

Lien and contract rules

Prime contractors don't send a preliminary notice. Mail the owner a copy of the lien statement, then file within 120 days of the last work. Storm-repair roofing contracts need a 72-hour cancellation notice.

File within 120 days (SDCL 44-9-15)The lien ends 120 days after the last work or materials unless a lien statement is filed with the county register of deeds.Mail owner a copy first (SDCL 44-9-17)Before filing, mail a copy of the lien statement to the owner's last known address by certified or registered mail and attach the post office receipt when filing.Enforcement deadlines (SDCL 44-9-24, 44-9-26)Enforce the lien within six years of the last item in the lien statement. If the owner or contractor serves a written demand, you must sue within 30 days or lose the lien.Storm contract cancellation (SDCL 37-24-51)Homeowners may cancel a written storm damage roofing contract within 72 hours of signing or of a full or partial claim denial. Give a boldface notice and a detachable Notice of Cancellation form; refund unperformed work within 10 days.No deductible rebates (SDCL 37-24-50)A residential roofer may not advertise or promise to pay or rebate any part of the insurance deductible; doing so makes the contract void.Notice of furnishing on noticed projects (SDCL 44-9-53)On projects with a recorded notice of project commencement, sub-subcontractors and suppliers to subs must mail a notice of furnishing within 60 days after their last work to keep lien rights.

Install instructions by brand: all makers →

Public records, last checked Oct 23, 2026. Always verify on the official source before you permit.