Meade County, South Dakota: septic system inspection at sale

Checked on November 9, 2026 against the official rule. Rule set by Meade County.

General information, not legal advice. This is our summary of the official rule as we read it. The ordinance or code and the health department decide: confirm with them before you list, sign or close.

The rule

QuestionWhat the official text says
What is requiredSeller has on-site wastewater system inspected by SD DENR-certified wastewater installer licensed with the county; written report filed with the Equalization/Planning Department; tank pumped at or within 6 months of closing
Source: meadecounty.org
Triggered bysale
Source: meadecounty.org
DeadlineAt sale; tank pumped at or within 6 months of closing
Source: meadecounty.org
Who arranges itseller
Source: meadecounty.org
Exemptions
  • property classed agricultural for tax purposes and primarily agricultural

Source: meadecounty.org
In force sinceOctober 11, 2011
Source: meadecounty.org

This is our summary of the official rule as we read it. The ordinance or code and the health department decide: confirm with them before you list, sign or close. Rule set by: Meade County.

Official ruleMeade County Ordinance #33 (Wastewater Treatment and Water Systems)

In force since October 11, 2011 (as the official text states).

Checked on November 9, 2026: read on the official site.

Read the rule (meadecounty.org)

Private wells in Meade County

In 2015 about 13,464 of Meade County’s 26,986 residents (50%) got their drinking water from a private well, by the USGS estimate. That is the 8th highest share of the 66 South Dakota counties in the USGS table, and the 2nd highest number of private-well users.

As we read it, this rule covers the septic system, not the well.

Source: USGS county water use 2015 (Dieter et al., 2018). Ranks count the South Dakota counties in the USGS table (1 = highest).

Nearest other sale-time rules

Buying or selling near a county line? These are the closest other local rules in our census to Meade County.

RuleStateDistanceCoversChecked
Larimer CountyColoradoabout 292 milesSeptic systemNovember 9, 2026
Big Stone CountyMinnesotaabout 321 milesSeptic systemNovember 9, 2026
Lincoln CountyMinnesotaabout 325 milesSeptic systemNovember 9, 2026
Boulder CountyColoradoabout 326 milesSeptic systemNovember 9, 2026
Traverse CountyMinnesotaabout 327 milesSeptic systemNovember 9, 2026

Straight-line distance between county centres (the average of each county’s Census ZIP-area points). Townships, villages and health districts are placed at the centre of their county.

All rules: by state · South Dakota.