**Alternative Energy Committee information can be found here.**

The Pennington County Planning Department has several options for submittal of applications.

Online:

Please visit the APPLICATIONS page to view and download applications and forms. Applications may be submitted via email at plz@pennco.org. Submissions must include ALL supporting information, as detailed on the specific application found by clicking HERE. Once received, a planner will contact you via email or phone to collect payment and discuss the request.

By mail:

Please visit the APPLICATIONS page to view and download applications and forms. Applications may be submitted via US Mail by mailing to: Pennington County Planning & Zoning, PO Box 6160, Rapid City, SD 57709. Submissions must include ALL supporting information, as detailed on the specific application found by clicking HERE. Once received, a Planner will contact you via email or phone to discuss the request and/or collect payment.

In person:

Applications can be submitted at the Planning Office from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday -Friday

The Planning Department accepts Credit Cards for your convenience. (note: There is a 2.49% fee to use a credit card)

For questions, please call the Planning Office. You may also contact the office via email.

The Planning Department is responsible for the development and enforcement of Ordinances that regulate matters such as land use, construction activities, on-site wastewater treatment systems, public nuisances, subdivision improvements, floodplain, and water quality.  The Department also reviews current development proposals, such as Building Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Rezonings, Subdivision proposals, and Variances.

Development within Pennington County is guided by the Pennington County Comprehensive Plan that was adopted by the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners in 2020 and updated in 2025. The Comprehensive Plan outlines a general approach for the development of the County and examines a number of concerns that affect the quality of life, current development and future growth in Pennington County.

The Planning Staff has prepared a guide to help understand the development process in Pennington County.

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Office Information

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF PENNINGTON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

VIEW TO 2040”

On May 5, 2020, the Pennington County Board of Commissioners approved by resolution Comprehensive Plan “View to 2040” to replace and supersede the existing comprehensive plan. The public may inspect the entire Comprehensive Plan “View to 2040” at the Pennington County Auditor’s Office during regular business hours.

The entire Comprehensive Plan “View to 2040” may also be found here.

Update to Section 3 – Land Use & Future Land Use Map

VIEW_TO_2040_WebThe Pennington County Planning Department made updates to Section 3 of the Comprehensive Plan, which covers land use and the future land use map.

You can view the updated map online here:

Future Land Use Map

Pennington County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
NewRapidMap

Pennington County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (penncomitigation.com)

New County Administration Building

The Pennington County Administration Building has officially moved to 900 Concourse Drive, Rapid City, SD 57703.

Departments are now open to the public at the new location as of November 10th, 2025.

The new public service hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The information below provides the schedule in which the departments opened, answers to frequently asked questions, and practical information such as directions, parking, and contact details.

Department Opening Schedule

The following dates reflect when each Administration department opened to the public at 900 Concourse Drive:

Monday, November 3rd

  • Commission Office
    • The first Board of Commissioners meeting at the new location will be on November 18th. The November 4th meeting will still be held at 130 Kansas City St. 
  • Register of Deeds

Wednesday, November 5th

Monday, November 10th

Directions & Parking

The new Pennington County Administration Building location.

Staff and signage at 130 Kansas City Street will direct residents to the new building after each department has relocated.

If you have arrived at the old building to a transaction with the Treasurer's Office, note that the SD DMV Now Kiosk will be located just inside the first doors to the building. On this machine, you can:

  • Update your contact information
  • Renew your driver's license or ID card
  • Renew a vehicle's registration
  • Print a seller's permit
  • Report the sale of a vehicle
No. All Administration departments will remain fully operational at 130 Kansas City Street from 7:00am - 6:00pm, Monday through Thursday until they open at the new building. There will be no downtime in services.

No. Only the Administration departments are relocating. This includes:

  • Auditor's Office
  • Board of Commissioners' Office
  • Equalization
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Planning & Zoning
  • Register of Deeds
  • Treasurer's Office
All other County departments will remain at their current locations for the time being. Plans to adjust the locations of other departments have not yet been completed.
When an administration office moves over to the new admin building, they will begin operating on a Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m schedule.

After our most recent Hours of Operation Study, the commission voted for the new hours to be Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. to align with the county's citizen needs.

Aligning the new hours with the move of the departments allows for an all-in-one change for the public.

Not until the department you need has officially opened at 900 Concourse Drive. Departments still at 130 Kansas City Street will continue to serve the public there until their move date. 

The following dates reflect when each Administration department will be open to the public at 900 Concourse Drive: 

Monday, November 3rd

Wednesday, November 5th

Monday, November 10th

 

The move schedule above shows when each department will open at the new building. Until that date, please continue to visit 130 Kansas City Street.
Updates will be posted on the Pennington County website, social media channels, and through public notices.