South Dakota · 15 statewide requirements covered
Business licences and permits in South Dakota
South Dakota's sales tax licence is free but still mandatory — operating without one is a criminal offense. Its own Board of Barber Examiners bills a $150 inspection fee on a form that quotes a statute saying it may not charge one.
What applies everywhere in South Dakota
15 requirements are set by South Dakota itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.
| Requirement | Issued by | Fee | Applies | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services | $55 a year filed online; paper filing costs $70 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Articles of Incorporation | South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services | $150 filed online; paper filing costs $165 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC) | South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services | $150 filed online; paper filing costs $165 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Auto Repair Shop Licence (not required by South Dakota) | South Dakota Department of Revenue | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Barber Shop Licence | South Dakota Board of Barber Examiners | A new shop pays a $150 inspection fee, a $250 shop licence fee, and $20 per chair; renewal is a $225 shop licence fee, $20 per chair, and a $150 annual inspection fee — though the renewal form itself quotes SDCL 36-14-30 stating the board may not charge a fee for that annual inspection, immediately above the $150 inspection line it bills anyway. | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Cosmetology Salon or Booth Permit | South Dakota Cosmetology Commission | $75 to open; renewal is $55 a year, with a $30 penalty for a late payment | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Electrician or Electrical Contractor Licence | South Dakota Electrical Commission | $80–$200 for the licence itself, plus a $60 application fee — Electrical Contractor $200, Journeyman $80 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Family Day Care Registration | South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Food Establishment Licence | South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Protection | $140–$275 a year, banded by seating capacity; a new establishment adds a $100 initial fee on top | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Food Service Manager Certification | South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Protection | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| General Business Licence (not required by South Dakota) | South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| General Contractor Licence (not required by South Dakota) | South Dakota Department of Revenue | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Plumbing Contractor or Plumber Licence | South Dakota Plumbing Commission | $50 to apply, for either a Plumbing Contractor or a Plumber; a third-year apprentice applies for $20 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Sales Tax Licence | South Dakota Department of Revenue | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Veterinary Facility Permit (not required by South Dakota) | South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
Which South Dakota city are you opening in?
We do not yet publish a South Dakota city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.
Is there a single South Dakota business licence?
No. South Dakota has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.
The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.
Who issues permits in South Dakota?
- South Dakota Secretary of State, Business ServicesEntity formation · Annual reports4 permits
- South Dakota Department of RevenueSales and contractor's excise tax licensing · Motor vehicle dealer licensing3 permits
- South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health ProtectionFood service establishment licensing · Food service manager training2 permits
- South Dakota Board of Barber ExaminersBarber shop licensing1 permit
- South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical ExaminersVeterinarian licensing1 permit
- South Dakota Cosmetology CommissionSalon and booth licensing1 permit
- South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and AccreditationChild care licensing and registration1 permit
- South Dakota Electrical CommissionElectrician and electrical contractor licensing1 permit
- South Dakota Plumbing CommissionPlumbing contractor and plumber licensing1 permit
By industry
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.