Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Aberdeen, SD

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. South Dakota Department of Revenue - Sales Tax License

   Any business with a physical presence in South Dakota must be licensed for sales tax collection, and South Dakota taxes services as well as tangible personal property and products transferred electronically. The state sales and use tax rate is 4.2 percent (reduced from 4.5 percent), and municipal sales and use tax of generally 1 to 2 percent applies where the purchaser receives the product or service. Remote sellers and marketplace providers with more than $100,000 in gross sales into South Dakota in the previous or current calendar year must also license and remit. Register using the Department of Revenue's online Tax License Application.

   Official government source

   Free - there is no fee for a South Dakota sales tax license·Apply online through the Tax License Application; the license is typically issued within a few business days

   Free - there is no fee for a South Dakota sales tax license

   Apply online through the Tax License Application; the license is typically issued within a few business days

1. South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Plumbing Contractor License

   Plumbing contractors in South Dakota must hold a Plumbing Contractor License from the SD Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation, 605-773-3429). South Dakota does not use a 'Master Plumber' designation - the license tiers are Plumbing Contractor, Plumber, and Third-year Apprentice Plumber. A plumbing contractor's license requires six years of experience as a plumbing contractor, plumber, or plumber's apprentice (at least two of them as a contractor or plumber) at a minimum of 1,900 hours per year, plus passing the state exam. Licensure is also available by reciprocity with proof of license by exam and four hours of continuing education.

   Official government source

   $50 application fee for Plumbing Contractor or Plumber ($20 for third-year apprentice); an additional license fee is billed after the application is approved - confirm the current amount with the Commission (605-773-3429). Applications expire 30 days after receipt and all fees are non-refundable.·Applications expire 30 days from receipt; after approval the Commission emails next steps and remaining fees, then the license is issued

   $50 application fee for Plumbing Contractor or Plumber ($20 for third-year apprentice); an additional license fee is billed after the application is approved - confirm the current amount with the Commission (605-773-3429). Applications expire 30 days after receipt and all fees are non-refundable.

   Applications expire 30 days from receipt; after approval the Commission emails next steps and remaining fees, then the license is issued

2. No Aberdeen General Business License Required

   Aberdeen does not issue a general business license. The City Finance Office (Auditor Division, 605-626-7023) issues licenses only for a specific enumerated list of activities: ambulance driver, ambulance service, garbage hauler, community event, day care, junk dealer, lottery notice, mobile home park, pawn broker, street use, shooting gallery, special event alcohol, taxi/motorbus company, taxi/motorbus driver, transient merchant/solicitor, and alcohol. Trades such as plumbing, HVAC, and pest control are not on that list and need no city business license. Their state-level licensing applies instead: plumbing through the SD Plumbing Commission, pesticide application through SD DANR, and there is no statewide HVAC or mechanical contractor license. A South Dakota sales tax license from the Department of Revenue is still required.

   Official government source

   $0 - no general business license exists·N/A - no application

   $0 - no general business license exists

   N/A - no application

3. City of Aberdeen Plumbing Permit (per project)

   Plumbing permits inside Aberdeen city limits are issued by the City of Aberdeen Building Inspection Department (123 S. Lincoln St., 3rd floor, 605-626-7017), which enforces the 2015 South Dakota version of the Uniform Plumbing Code along with the 2018 International Building/Residential/Mechanical codes. Brown County has no permitting role inside city limits. A permit is pulled per job at the Building Inspection office and inspections are required on completion.

   Official government source

   Valuation-based under the city's published 2026 Building Fee Schedule: $35 for work valued at $500 or less; $87.50 plus $12.41 per additional $1,000 of value from $2,001 to $25,000; $605.68 at $50,000. The city notes the posted amounts are approximate and can vary slightly from what is charged.·Applications are made in person at the Building Inspection office in City Hall; contact 605-626-7017 for current review and inspection scheduling

   Valuation-based under the city's published 2026 Building Fee Schedule: $35 for work valued at $500 or less; $87.50 plus $12.41 per additional $1,000 of value from $2,001 to $25,000; $605.68 at $50,000. The city notes the posted amounts are approximate and can vary slightly from what is charged.

   Applications are made in person at the Building Inspection office in City Hall; contact 605-626-7017 for current review and inspection scheduling

Official Sources

• South Dakota State Plumbing Commission — Plumbing Contractor License
• City of Aberdeen City Finance Office

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