Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Long-Lake, SD?

Short‑term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Long-Lake, South Dakota. Long-Lake is an unincorporated community in Lake County; therefore, operations are governed primarily by South Dakota state rules and Lake County’s zoning ordinance. Under county zoning, lodging uses such as Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs) are permitted as conditional uses, which provides a clear legal pathway for STRs operating in a residential structure. South Dakota does not impose a statewide STR license, but hosts must comply with state tax obligations and any county approvals or health/safety standards. Always verify your specific parcel, intended use, and any HOA rules before launching.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Long‑Lake, SD

• Confirm land use eligibility
  • Verify your property’s zoning with Lake County Planning and Zoning.
  • If your use resembles a Bed & Breakfast or “lodging” use, you will likely need a conditional use permit and must meet the performance standards in Section 1222.
• Obtain local approvals
  • Apply for a conditional use permit from the Lake County Board of Adjustment if required.
  • Be prepared to demonstrate minimal impact on surrounding properties (noise, parking, trash, hours).
• Satisfy state tax obligations
  • Register with the South Dakota Department of Revenue (DOR) to obtain a tax license for sales and tourism tax collection.
  • Collect South Dakota sales tax (4.5% base rate) and any applicable tourism/occupancy taxes. Rates vary by location; confirm current rates with DOR.
  • If you use a platform, confirm whether it collects/remits taxes on your behalf; if not, you are responsible.
• Choose and structure your business
  • Consider forming a separate legal entity (e.g., LLC) and registering with the South Dakota Secretary of State for business filings if desired.
• Insurance and risk management
  • Standard homeowners or landlord policies typically exclude short‑term rental activity; secure specialized STR insurance with commercial general liability and property coverage.
• Property setup and compliance
  • Install required safety equipment (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers), adhere to posted occupancy limits, and adopt quiet hours and trash management policies.
• Documentation and record keeping
  • Maintain permits, tax registrations, guest logs, and financial records to support compliance, renewals, and audits.
• HOA/Covenants check
  • Review deed restrictions and homeowners association rules, which can limit or prohibit STR activity even where zoning allows it.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Local (Lake County) approvals
  • Conditional use permit for lodging uses (e.g., Bed & Breakfast), reviewed by the Board of Adjustment.
  • Compliance with Section 1222 (B&B standards): minimize impacts on neighbors; adhere to occupancy, operation, and amenity requirements for lodging uses.
  • Potential safety/building inspections depending on the nature of the structure and proposed occupancy.
• State registrations
  • South Dakota Department of Revenue tax license for sales and tourism tax collection.
  • Optional business formation filings with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
• Operational guidelines
  • Adopt a guest manual covering quiet hours, parking, trash/recycling, occupancy, and emergency contacts.
  • Maintain documentation of safety equipment maintenance and guest check‑in/out procedures.
• Insurance
  • Specialized STR policy with commercial general liability and property coverage; confirm endorsements for amenity risks (e.g., hot tubs), theft/damage, and loss of income.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

• City
  • There is no incorporated municipality named Long-Lake in South Dakota; no city-specific STR license applies. If the community later incorporates or establishes local rules, those would control.
• County (Lake County)
  • Zoning authority applies in unincorporated areas.
  • Lodging uses such as Bed & Breakfasts are conditional uses; STRs operating in residential structures should expect to obtain a conditional use permit and comply with Section 1222 standards to ensure minimal neighborhood impact.
• State (South Dakota)
  • Sales tax: 4.5% base rate applies to short-term lodging; local add-ons may increase the rate.
  • Tourism/occupancy taxes: certain communities may impose additional lodging taxes; hosts must register and remit if not handled by a platform.
  • No statewide STR license; local jurisdictions set permitting, occupancy, and safety rules.
  • Compliance and enforcement: adherence to tax and local zoning requirements is mandatory; non-compliance may result in fines or forced closure.
  • Advertising standards and minimum stay requirements: no statewide minimum stay; local ordinances or HOA covenants may include such restrictions.

Contact Information

• Lake County Planning and Zoning
  • Phone: (605) 256‑7600
  • Website: www.lakecounty-sd.org/ (Planning & Zoning/Building/County Commissioners sections)
• Lake County Board of Adjustment
  • Same county contact routing; the Board handles conditional use appeals and approvals.
• South Dakota Department of Revenue (Taxes)
  • Phone: (605) 773‑3311
  • Website: dor.sd.gov/
• South Dakota Secretary of State (Business Filings)
  • Phone: (605) 773‑4422
  • Website: sdsos.gov/

Source Links

• Proper Insurance overview of South Dakota STR rules and tax obligations
  • www.proper.insure/regulations/south-dakota-short-term-rental-regulations-and-airbnb-laws/
• RedAwning’s 2025 update on South Dakota STR market and local considerations
  • www.redawning.com/pm/post/south-dakota-short-term-rental-laws
• Pacaso guide on state-by-state STR qualifiers (South Dakota reference)
  • www.pacaso.com/blog/what-is-short-term-rental
• Lake County Zoning Ordinance (definitions and B&B conditional use standards)
  • templator-admin.azurewebsites.net/Uploads/documents/34/LAKE%20COUNTY%20ZONING%20ORDINANCE.pdf

Important: This guide synthesizes available state and county-level information specific to Long-Lake’s context (unincorporated Lake County). Because local ordinances and administrative practices can evolve, verify current requirements directly with Lake County authorities before investing or operating.