Zoning › South Dakota › Minnehaha County › Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, SD Zoning

Euclidean-zoning. 24 districts · 6 overlays.

Overview

Code type
euclidean
Naming convention
letter-code

Shape Places is a form-based hybrid under an Euclidean district structure. Zoning districts (RR, RS, RT-1, etc.) are assigned one or more 'Forms' (DD1, DD2, etc.). The forms carry the bulk regulations — setbacks, height, density — while the district determines which forms are permitted. Districts are alphabetic/descriptive codes with no encoded lot-size or density formula. The naming convention within each form family is use-type-index (DD1=Rural, DD2=Suburban, DD3=Traditional).

Worth knowing
  • Shape Places uses a two-tier system: Zoning Districts (RR, RS, RT-1, etc.) control location and use types, while Forms (DD1, DD2, etc.) carry the actual bulk regulations (setbacks, height, lot size). A single district may allow multiple forms. The 'primary form' is the standard; 'secondary forms' are also permitted under the same district.
  • RHP district (Historic Preservation) prohibits UT2 (Tower Utilities) — the only district to do so per PDS24_005.
  • Multiple-family districts (MD1, MD2, MD3) use a bedroom-based parking formula (1.5 spaces/2-BR, 2 spaces/3+ BR, 0.75/unit for elderly) rather than a uniform per-unit rate.

+ 6 more in Quirks & notes

Districts

res_sf 6com 4res_th 3res_mf 3spec 3ind 2off 1ag 1mu 1
CodeNameCategory Min lotHeight CoverageFAR Du/acParking Setbacks F/S/R
RRSingle-Family Residential—Ruralres_sf43,560 sf[4]35 ft[5]—[6]—[7]—[8]2[9]30[1] / 7[2] / 30[3]
RSSingle-Family Residential—Suburbanres_sf5,000 sf[13]35 ft[14]—[15]—[16]—[17]2[18]25[10] / 5[11] / 25[12]
RT-1Single-Family Residential—Traditionalres_sf—[22]35 ft[23]—[24]—[25]—[26]2[27]20[19] / 5[20] / 10[21]
RHPSingle-Family Residential—Historic Preservationres_sf—[31]35 ft[32]—[33]—[34]—[35]2[36]20[28] / 5[29] / 10[30]
MHManufactured Residential Housingres_sf—[40]35 ft[41]—[42]—[43]—[44]2[45]15[37] / 20[38] / 20[39]
RCDResidential Cluster Development PUDres_sf—[49]35 ft[50]—[51]—[52]—[53]2[54]10[46] / 0[47] / 10[48]
RD-1Twin Home/Duplex Residential—Suburbanres_th—[58]35 ft[59]—[60]—[61]—[62]2[63]25[55] / 5[56] / 25[57]
RD-2Townhome Residential—Suburbanres_th—[67]35 ft[68]—[69]—[70]—[71]2[72]25[64] / 7[65] / 25[66]
RT-2Townhome Residential—Traditionalres_th—[76]35 ft[77]—[78]—[79]—[80]2[81]20[73] / 5[74] / 10[75]
RA-1Apartment Residential—Low Densityres_mf—[85]35 ft[86]—[87]—[88]—[89]—[90]25[82] / 10[83] / 10[84]
RA-2Apartment Residential—Moderate Densityres_mf—[94]45 ft[95]—[96]—[97]—[98]—[99]25[91] / 10[92] / 10[93]
RA-3Apartment Residential—High Densityres_mf—[103]-1 ft[104]—[105]—[106]-1[107]—[108]25[100] / 10[101] / 10[102]
OOfficeoff—[112]35 ft[113]—[114]—[115]—[116]—[117]15[109] / 0[110] / 0[111]
C-1Commercial—Pedestrian-Orientedcom—[121]25 ft[122]—[123]—[124]—[125]—[126]10[118] / 0[119] / 0[120]
C-2Commercial—Neighborhood and Streetcarcom—[130]35 ft[131]—[132]—[133]—[134]—[135]10[127] / 0[128] / 0[129]
C-3Commercial—Communitycom—[139]60 ft[140]—[141]—[142]—[143]—[144]15[136] / 0[137] / 0[138]
C-4Commercial—Regionalcom—[148]-1 ft[149]—[150]—[151]—[152]—[153]15[145] / 0[146] / 0[147]
I-1Light Industrialind—[157]45 ft[158]—[159]—[160]—[161]—[162]25[154] / 0[155] / 0[156]
I-2Heavy Industrialind—[166]55 ft[167]—[168]—[169]—[170]—[171]25[163] / 0[164] / 0[165]
APAirportspec—[175]—[176]—[177]—[178]—[179]—[180]—[172] / —[173] / —[174]
CNConservationspec—[184]45 ft[185]—[186]—[187]—[188]—[189]15[181] / 15[182] / 15[183]
RECRecreationspec—[193]45 ft[194]—[195]—[196]—[197]—[198]15[190] / 15[191] / 15[192]
AGAgricultureag43,560 sf[202]45 ft[203]—[204]—[205]—[206]—[207]30[199] / 25[200] / 30[201]
LWLive-Workmu—[211]-1 ft[212]—[213]—[214]—[215]—[216]0[208] / —[209] / 0[210]

Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found

Overlays

AIOD
Airport Influence Overlay District
AP
§160.418

Lands within area affected by noise or safety hazards from aircraft operations at Sioux Falls Regional Airport; includes approach zone, transition zone, conical zone, and airport noise exposure zone. City GIS dataset: cityofsfgis::airport-overlay (DataWorks Sioux Falls).

noise_level_reductionNLR of at least 10 dB over standard construction practices required for schools, hospitals, and places of worship (reducing interior to 55 dB or 45 dB as applicable)[217]
growth_management_conformanceAny zoning district change or zoning permit within the overlay must conform to the growth management plan and zoning ordinances[218]
zones_includedApproach zone, transition zone, conical zone, and airport noise exposure zone[219]
FP
Floodplain Management
FP
Sioux Falls Floodplain Ordinance (separate from Ch. 160); FEMA FIRM Panel adoption

Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) as delineated on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps; City of Sioux Falls participates in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Big Sioux River and Skunk Creek watersheds are primary floodplain areas.

program_participationCity participates in NFIP; floodplain permits required for development in SFHA[220]
bfe_standard—[221]
HPD
Historic Preservation Districts
HP
Chapter 151 — Historic Preservation; crossreferences RHP zoning district in Ch. 160

Properties listed on the Sioux Falls Register of Historic Landmarks or within locally designated historic districts; mapped in DataWorks cityofsfgis::historic-districts. Criteria established by Board of Historic Preservation under Chapter 151.

designation_criteriaProperties of special historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural significance nominated by Board of Historic Preservation; includes local landmarks and historic districts[222]
certificate_of_appropriatenessExterior alterations, demolition, and moving structures in/out of historic districts require Certificate of Appropriateness from Board of Historic Preservation[223]
rca_zoning_linkRHP (Single-Family Residential—Historic Preservation) zoning district overlaps with locally designated historic neighborhoods; form DD4 applies[224]
demolition_controlChapter 151 establishes demolition regulations for properties listed on Sioux Falls Register of Historic Landmarks[225]
VPUD
Village PUD
PD
§160.450

Applied by rezoning to Village PUD district; located in established mixed-use or transit-oriented nodes citywide; requires initial development plan per Chapter 5 of Shape Sioux Falls comprehensive plan

primary_formRE6 (Village Mixed-Use) governs uses and bulk; unlimited height, 0 ft setbacks allowed[226]
development_plan_requiredInitial development plan required per PUD standards §160.450 and Shape Sioux Falls Chapter 5, Section G[227]
densityUnlimited; set by initial development plan[228]
ENV
Environmental / Riparian Buffers
ENV
§160.485 et al. (landscape/buffer yard regulations); §160.488 (buffer yards)

Greenway buffer yards required adjacent to designated greenway corridors; landscape requirements apply citywide. Big Sioux River greenway is primary environmental corridor.

greenway_bufferBuffer yards required adjacent to Greenway; levels specified per form (e.g. MD2: 10 ft total adjacent to Greenway per §160.488)[229]
landscaping_coverage90% of all required front yard setbacks and buffer yards must be landscaped per §160.485[230]
TOD-NC
TOD/Corridor Overlay
COR
not_found

not_found

search_resultnot_found[231]

Adopted building codes

Local option

IBC
2021
IRC
2021
NEC
2020
IFC
2015
IECC (Residential)
Local
IECC (Commercial)
Local

Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.

Amendment history

DateKindCitation
2026-05-27retrieved at
2024-06-01last amendedPDS24_005 June 2024
2014-04-16effectiveFollowing electorate approval 2014-04-08
2013-03-19adoptionOrdinance 9-13

Quirks & notes

  • Shape Places uses a two-tier system: Zoning Districts (RR, RS, RT-1, etc.) control location and use types, while Forms (DD1, DD2, etc.) carry the actual bulk regulations (setbacks, height, lot size). A single district may allow multiple forms. The 'primary form' is the standard; 'secondary forms' are also permitted under the same district.
  • RHP district (Historic Preservation) prohibits UT2 (Tower Utilities) — the only district to do so per PDS24_005.
  • Multiple-family districts (MD1, MD2, MD3) use a bedroom-based parking formula (1.5 spaces/2-BR, 2 spaces/3+ BR, 0.75/unit for elderly) rather than a uniform per-unit rate.
  • Alternative Site Plans (§160.594 et al.) allow significant reductions in setbacks, buffer yards, and landscaping requirements citywide — published bulk standards represent the baseline without ASP relief.
  • DD7 (RCD/Cluster Development PUD) allows interlot, Z-lot, and zipper lot configurations — 0 ft side setback on one side is by-right.
  • BCF3 (Large Business/Community Facilities) has unlimited height and no size limit, placing hospitals and universities under the same form as churches.
  • Board of Adjustment can approve side yard reduction to 2 ft in DD3 and DD4 districts under §160.672.
  • Shape Places adopted via Ordinance 9-13 (2013) and approved by electorate on 2014-04-08; became effective 2014-04-16. This represents a comprehensive Form-Based hybrid rewrite of the prior conventional Euclidean code.
  • ADU regulations amended by MC30-53-25 (effective 2025-04-22); detached ADUs capped at 40% of main structure square footage.

Formulas

Definitions

height
Grade to highest point of structure; measured per Ch. 160
lot_coverage
Building footprint divided by lot area; fraction (not percent)
far
Total gross floor area divided by lot area
du_ac
Dwelling units per gross acre
setback_front
Distance from front property line to nearest building face
setback_side
Distance from side property line to nearest building face
setback_rear
Distance from rear property line to nearest building face
parking
On-site parking spaces; residential in spaces per unit; commercial in spaces per sq ft GFA

Capacity calculations

max_footprint_sf
lot_area_sf * lot_coverage
max_gfa_sf
lot_area_sf * far
buildable_width_ft
lot_width_ft - setback_side_ft * 2
max_stories_approx
max_height_ft / 10

Massing explorer

Interactive 3D comparison across every district. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, use the slider to walk districts, and toggle applicable overlays in the right-side panel.

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Setbacks (F / S / R)
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Parking
— /unit
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Max density
— du/ac
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Min lot size
— sf
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District Category Height FAR Coverage Setbacks Parking Density Min lot Overlays

Sources & references

Primary source
Sioux Falls Code of Ordinances, Chapter 160 — Shape Places Zoning Ordinance
retrieved 2026-05-27
Citations
  1. [1] §160.064
  2. [2] §160.064
  3. [3] §160.064
  4. [4] §160.064
  5. [5] §160.064
  6. [6] n
  7. [7] n
  8. [8] n
  9. [9] §160.550
  10. [10] §160.074
  11. [11] §160.074
  12. [12] §160.074
  13. [13] §160.074
  14. [14] §160.074
  15. [15] n
  16. [16] n
  17. [17] n
  18. [18] §160.550
  19. [19] §160.084
  20. [20] §160.084
  21. [21] §160.084
  22. [22] n
  23. [23] §160.084
  24. [24] n
  25. [25] n
  26. [26] n
  27. [27] §160.550
  28. [28] §160.094
  29. [29] §160.094
  30. [30] §160.094
  31. [31] n
  32. [32] §160.094
  33. [33] n
  34. [34] n
  35. [35] n
  36. [36] §160.550
  37. [37] §160.114
  38. [38] §160.114
  39. [39] §160.114
  40. [40] n
  41. [41] §160.114
  42. [42] n
  43. [43] n
  44. [44] n
  45. [45] §160.550
  46. [46] §160.124
  47. [47] §160.124
  48. [48] §160.124
  49. [49] n
  50. [50] §160.124
  51. [51] n
  52. [52] n
  53. [53] n
  54. [54] §160.550
  55. [55] §160.134
  56. [56] §160.134
  57. [57] §160.134
  58. [58] n
  59. [59] §160.134
  60. [60] n
  61. [61] n
  62. [62] n
  63. [63] §160.550
  64. [64] §160.154
  65. [65] §160.154
  66. [66] §160.154
  67. [67] n
  68. [68] §160.154
  69. [69] n
  70. [70] n
  71. [71] n
  72. [72] §160.550
  73. [73] §160.164
  74. [74] §160.164
  75. [75] §160.164
  76. [76] n
  77. [77] §160.164
  78. [78] n
  79. [79] n
  80. [80] n
  81. [81] §160.550
  82. [82] §160.174
  83. [83] §160.174
  84. [84] §160.174
  85. [85] n
  86. [86] §160.174
  87. [87] n
  88. [88] n
  89. [89] n
  90. [90] §160.550
  91. [91] §160.184
  92. [92] §160.184
  93. [93] §160.184
  94. [94] n
  95. [95] §160.184
  96. [96] n
  97. [97] n
  98. [98] n
  99. [99] §160.550
  100. [100] §160.194
  101. [101] §160.194
  102. [102] §160.194
  103. [103] n
  104. [104] §160.194
  105. [105] n
  106. [106] n
  107. [107] §160.194
  108. [108] §160.550
  109. [109] §160.224
  110. [110] §160.224
  111. [111] §160.224
  112. [112] n
  113. [113] §160.224
  114. [114] n
  115. [115] n
  116. [116] n
  117. [117] §160.550
  118. [118] §160.264
  119. [119] §160.264
  120. [120] §160.264
  121. [121] n
  122. [122] §160.264
  123. [123] n
  124. [124] n
  125. [125] n
  126. [126] §160.550
  127. [127] §160.274
  128. [128] §160.274
  129. [129] §160.274
  130. [130] n
  131. [131] §160.274
  132. [132] n
  133. [133] n
  134. [134] n
  135. [135] §160.550
  136. [136] §160.294
  137. [137] §160.294
  138. [138] §160.294
  139. [139] n
  140. [140] §160.294
  141. [141] n
  142. [142] n
  143. [143] n
  144. [144] §160.550
  145. [145] §160.304
  146. [146] §160.304
  147. [147] §160.304
  148. [148] n
  149. [149] §160.304
  150. [150] n
  151. [151] n
  152. [152] n
  153. [153] §160.550
  154. [154] §160.346
  155. [155] §160.346
  156. [156] §160.346
  157. [157] n
  158. [158] §160.346
  159. [159] n
  160. [160] n
  161. [161] n
  162. [162] §160.550
  163. [163] §160.354
  164. [164] §160.354
  165. [165] §160.354
  166. [166] n
  167. [167] §160.354
  168. [168] n
  169. [169] n
  170. [170] n
  171. [171] §160.550
  172. [172] n
  173. [173] n
  174. [174] n
  175. [175] n
  176. [176] n
  177. [177] n
  178. [178] n
  179. [179] n
  180. [180] n
  181. [181] §160.376
  182. [182] §160.376
  183. [183] §160.376
  184. [184] n
  185. [185] §160.376
  186. [186] n
  187. [187] n
  188. [188] n
  189. [189] §160.550
  190. [190] §160.384
  191. [191] §160.384
  192. [192] §160.384
  193. [193] n
  194. [194] §160.384
  195. [195] n
  196. [196] n
  197. [197] n
  198. [198] §160.550
  199. [199] §160.392
  200. [200] §160.392
  201. [201] §160.392
  202. [202] §160.392
  203. [203] §160.392
  204. [204] n
  205. [205] n
  206. [206] n
  207. [207] §160.550
  208. [208] §160.314
  209. [209] n
  210. [210] §160.314
  211. [211] n
  212. [212] §160.314
  213. [213] n
  214. [214] n
  215. [215] n
  216. [216] §160.550
  217. [217] §160.418
  218. [218] §160.418
  219. [219] §160.418
  220. [220] § Floodplain Ordinance
  221. [221] n
  222. [222] §151
  223. [223] §151
  224. [224] §160.090
  225. [225] §151
  226. [226] §160.314
  227. [227] §160.450
  228. [228] §160.314
  229. [229] §160.488
  230. [230] §160.485
  231. [231] n

Research status

Publication gates

primary url presentpassedhttps://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/siouxfalls/latest/siouxfalls_sd/0-0-0-68989 — amlegal canonical URL, https, not aggregator
no aggregator citedpassedScan clean — no Zoneomics, Steadily, SitePlanGuide, SitePlanCreator, Propwire, Zonara, or Unzoned citations in record
confidence tags full formpassed52 confirmed fields carry §-citations (§160.064, §160.074, §160.084, §160.094, §160.114, §160.124, §160.134, §160.154, §160.164, §160.174, §160.184, §160.194, §160.224, §160.264, §160.274, §160.294, §160.304, §160.314, §160.346, §160.354, §160.376, §160.384, §160.392, §160.418, §160.485, §160.488, §160.550). All confirmed fields use c§ citation form.
overlays have parameters trigger confidencepassed6 overlays documented: AIOD (§160.418, confirmed trigger/params), FP (partial — floodplain ordinance text not retrieved, trigger described), HPD (partial — Ch. 151 trigger described), VPUD (§160.450, confirmed), ENV (§160.485/488, confirmed), TOD-NC (not_found documented with search_performed). All overlays have parameters, trigger, status, and citation populated or explicitly marked not_found with search evidence.
preempt section city specificpassedSouth Dakota is not an active-preemption state enumerated in Gate 5 (CA/TX/FL/OR/WA/CO/MN/MT/UT/AZ/NJ/CT). No state preemptions applicable array correctly empty. SD SB 201 (2024) was a carbon pipeline bill rejected by voters in November 2024 — not a zoning preemption. No active state zoning preemption law applies to Sioux Falls.

Data quality

72%completeness52 confirmed8 partial31 not found
Documented gaps
  • Lot coverage ratios not stated in any Shape Places form sheets; bulk controlled via setbacks and height only
  • FAR not stated in any residential or mixed-use form sheets
  • Full floodplain ordinance text not retrieved (siouxfalls.gov access blocked); specific freeboard requirement unknown
  • Full Chapter 151 Historic Preservation text not retrieved; certificate of appropriateness criteria are partial
  • WM1/WM2 section IDs confirmed via Wayback title checks; content not fully parsed for complete dimensional verification
  • Minimum lot sizes for most districts not given in form sheets; Shape Places relies primarily on lot frontage, setbacks, and height rather than minimum lot area for non-rural districts