Sioux Falls Egress Window Guide: Code, Permits (2026)

Updated October 22, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Adopted code	2024 International Residential Code with local amendments, effective July 1, 2026	City of Sioux Falls
Net clear opening	At least 5.7 sq ft (5.0 sq ft at a grade floor)	City of Sioux Falls
Sill height	Bottom of opening no more than 48 in above the floor	City of Sioux Falls
Clear height and width	At least 24 in high and 20 in wide (model IRC)	ICC; City of Lincoln, NE
Window well	At least 9 sq ft, 36 in out and 36 in wide (model IRC)	ICC; City of Lincoln, NE
Ladder or steps	Required in wells deeper than 48 in	City of Sioux Falls
Frost line / snow load	42 in; 55 psf ground snow load	City of Sioux Falls
Contractor license	City license for permitted work on 1- and 2-family homes; state excise tax license	City of Sioux Falls; SD DOR

Which code applies in Sioux Falls?

The City of Sioux Falls has adopted the 2024 edition of the International Residential Code with local amendments, effective July 1, 2026. The amendments are published by the city with commentary. Towns around Sioux Falls and the counties can use different editions and amendments, so if you live outside city limits, ask your local building office which code your permit will be reviewed under.

How big does an egress opening have to be?

Sioux Falls' adopted code requires emergency escape and rescue openings to have a net clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet, or 5.0 square feet for an opening at a grade floor, and the bottom of the clear opening can be no more than 48 inches above the floor. That 48-inch figure is a local number; many other codes use 44 inches. The model IRC also requires a net clear height of at least 24 inches and a net clear width of at least 20 inches, and the opening must work from inside the room without keys, tools or special knowledge. Net clear opening is measured with the window fully open, so it's smaller than the frame.

What are the rules for window wells?

The model IRC requires a well at an egress opening to have at least 9 square feet of horizontal area, with a projection and width of at least 36 inches, and to let the window open fully. Sioux Falls' amendments require an approved, permanently attached ladder or steps in any area well deeper than 48 inches, and the ladder can't be blocked by the window when it's open. Under the model code, ladder rungs need at least a 12-inch inside width, must project at least 3 inches from the wall and can be no more than 18 inches apart vertically. Wells are also supposed to drain to the foundation drainage system or another approved method, except in well-drained soils.

Can a well have a cover or grate?

Yes. The model IRC allows bars, grilles, covers and screens over an escape opening as long as the minimum clear opening is kept and they can be released or removed from the inside without a key, tool or special knowledge.

What else changes when a basement becomes a bedroom?

Sioux Falls' amendments say that when permitted alterations or additions worth more than $1,000 are made, the home must get smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings, including in each sleeping room and outside each sleeping area, interconnected where more than one is required. Work on exterior items such as windows, siding and roofing is an exception. Carbon monoxide alarms follow a similar rule. For new habitable basement space in an existing building, the minimum ceiling height is 6 feet.

Do I need a permit?

In Sioux Falls, the city's building permit FAQ lists lower-level finishes and window and exterior door replacement among the projects that need a permit. In Harrisburg, the city requires a permit before a basement is finished and says same-size window replacements don't need one. Outside city limits in Minnehaha County, residential permits go through the county Planning and Zoning office.

Who can do the work?

Inside Sioux Falls, anyone doing construction on one- or two-family homes or townhomes inside city limits that requires a building permit, including exterior windows and basement finishing, needs a city Residential Building Contractor license. That requires passing the city's open-book Construction Supervisor exam with at least 80 percent, carrying at least $300,000 in general liability insurance and posting a $20,000 compliance bond. Licenses renew every three years, and the city doesn't accept other states' licenses or a South Dakota excise tax license in place of its own. Separately, the South Dakota Department of Revenue requires anyone contracting for construction services to hold a contractor's excise tax license; the excise tax on construction receipts is 2 percent. Homeowners may work on their own homes but still need permits and inspections.

How does the climate affect egress work?

Sioux Falls' adopted code lists a 42-inch frost line, a 55 psf ground snow load, a -11°F winter design temperature and a "severe" weathering rating. The city averages about 45 inches of snow a year, with a January mean temperature near 18°F. In practice, that means wells need solid drainage and backfill to resist frost movement, covers should be strong enough for where they sit, and the window frame needs careful sealing and insulation.

Questions to ask a contractor

What is your City of Sioux Falls license number, or the license your town requires?
Who pulls the permit and schedules the inspections?
What is the net clear opening of the window you're proposing?
How will the wall above the cut be supported?
How will the well drain, and will it have a ladder?
What's warrantied, and for how long?

Common questions

What is the minimum egress window size in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls' adopted code requires a net clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet (5.0 at a grade floor), with the bottom no more than 48 inches above the floor. The model code adds a 24-inch minimum clear height and 20-inch minimum clear width.

When does an egress window well need a ladder in Sioux Falls?

When the well is deeper than 48 inches. The ladder or steps must be permanently attached and usable with the window fully open.

Does an egress window contractor need a license in Sioux Falls?

Yes, for permitted work on one- and two-family homes inside city limits. The city's Residential Building Contractor license requires an exam, $300,000 in liability insurance and a $20,000 bond.

Sioux Falls egress window guide (2026)