Effective April 21, 2015, Lake County, South Dakota adopted an open burning ordinance. The general provision of this ordinance states that open burning (with exceptions listed in the ordinance) is prohibited when the National Weather Service places a RED FLAG WARNING for the county or the GRASSLAND FIRE DANGER INDEX for the county is Very High or Extreme. The links below will take you to the National Weather Service Sioux Falls Office website for both of these ratings. Please note that the first link may show multiple dangers for a county/region such as a freeze warning.

Hazardous Weather website that includes RED FLAG WARNINGS for Lake County:

Grassland Fire Danger Index page:

You can also call the Sioux Falls office at (605) 330-4247 to request this information.

Burning Ordinance

Ordinance #15-59

For questions, you may also contact the Emergency Manager at 605-256-7611.

Announcements

Real Estate & Mobile Home Taxes - Second Half
Thursday, October 1, 2026

Second half property taxes are due by October 31. Please bring your tax notices with you. Tax payments must be made for the exact amount only.
Tax payments may be sent to the Treasurer's Office at 200 E. Center St, Madison, SD 57042 and MUST be postmarked by October 31. Please send your tax stubs to ensure proper credit to the correct parcels of land.
Please note: Payments received or postmarked after October 31st will reflect a late fee and interest.

Application for Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Due on 11/1
Thursday, October 1, 2026

Application must be made and submitted to the Director of Equalization on or before November 1.

Riparian Buffer Strip Deadline - 10/15
Thursday, October 1, 2026

Applications are due to the Director of Equalization's office on or before October 15. Per SDCL 10-6-116, landowners may receive a reduction in property value of 40 percent of any eligible riparian buffer strip. The law specifies 575 lake listings and 11,000 miles of streams that are eligible.

Road Closure
Tuesday, September 29, 2026

463rd Ave between 234th St and 231st St will be closed until further notice.

Voter Registration Deadline
Friday, September 11, 2026

Voter registration for the General Election to be held on November 3, 2026, will close on October 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Lake County © 2026. Developed by Intuvio Solutions.

Stay Connected: