on September 10, 2026

South Dakota Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: South Dakota has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. None of them uses a set ticket amount. Fines are set by a judge within a range the code allows.

Why South Dakota leaves it to cities

South Dakota has no statewide dog waste statute. SDCL 9-29-12 gives every municipality power 'to regulate or prohibit the running at large of dogs, animals, and poultry.' State law also caps what cities can impose: SDCL 9-19-3 limits ordinance penalties to those for a Class 2 misdemeanor, which SDCL 22-6-2(2) sets at 30 days in jail or a $500 fine, or both. Verified 2026-09-10.

  • Municipal power to regulate animals running at large: SDCL 9-29-12 (read it)
  • Municipal ordinance penalties capped at Class 2 misdemeanor level: SDCL 9-19-3 (read it)
  • Class 2 misdemeanor maximum: 30 days or $500, or both: SDCL 22-6-2(2) (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in South Dakota's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Code of Ordinances § 90.009(c) and (d) (Responsibility); penalty § 10.999 Not published Yes
Rapid City Rapid City Municipal Code § 6.08.270 (Pet waste); penalty §§ 6.04.060 and 1.12.010 $1 to $500 Yes
Aberdeen Aberdeen City Code § 8-42 (Pet waste); general penalty § 1-10 Up to $500 Yes

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

In Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Aberdeen, the law does not just require you to pick up. It requires you to be carrying something to pick up with, so walking out without a bag can be an offense on its own even if your dog never goes.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about South Dakota

  • State law caps every municipal ordinance penalty at $500 and 30 days (SDCL 9-19-3 and 22-6-2(2)), so no South Dakota city can fine a single dog waste offense above $500.
  • Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Aberdeen all require carrying 'visible means' of cleanup; the Sioux Falls text exempts only parade and law enforcement animals, not service animals.
  • Aberdeen counts more than ten separate bowel movements' worth of feces on your own property, or any amount that smells or draws insects, as a violation (§ 8-42(c)).

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in South Dakota?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in South Dakota?

It depends on the city. Rapid City: $1 to $500. Aberdeen: Up to $500. Sioux Falls does not publish an amount.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in South Dakota?

In Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Aberdeen, yes. The ordinance requires you to have a means of removal with you while walking your dog.

Are service dog handlers exempt?

In Rapid City and Aberdeen, the ordinance exempts handlers who have a disability and cannot physically pick up. The exemption covers the handler, not the dog.

Other states in the Midwest

Illinois · Ohio · Michigan · Indiana · Missouri · Wisconsin · Minnesota · Iowa

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.