The Pierre City Commission has approved (Dec. 9, 2025) updates to the town’s planning and zoning ordinances regulating accessory buildings, more commonly called garages.
City Planner Emeline Post says the intent is to modernize existing standards, provide additional flexibility for property owners, and clarify previous ordinance language. She says one change involves the allowable size of a detached garage.
Post says the second change covers garage setback distances.
The third ordinance update, according to Post, deals with height and storage of yard items.
Pierre city commissioners noted that the updates reflect modern storage needs, including larger vehicles and increased demand for enclosed space, while still balancing neighborhood impacts.
The approved ordinance language will be incorporated into the City’s planning and zoning regulations.
The ordinance amendment process has included public hearings at the City Planning Commission and was introduced during a first reading on Nov. 29, 2025, at the Pierre City Commission meeting. A public hearing and second reading were held on Dec. 2, also at City Hall. No public comments were submitted during the hearing. The Commission unanimously approved Ordinance 1880 following a motion and second.
A summary of the ordinance changes is below.
DETACHED GARAGE SIZE INCREASE
The changes to ordinance 12-1-101 updates the definition of accessory structures by distinguishing between attached and detached garages and allows larger lots to accommodate appropriately sized garages.
GARAGE SETBACKS
The change to ordinance 12-2-111clarifies required setbacks by replacing the term “street line,” with “property line adjacent to the street” to help provide consistent application of setback rules.
GARAGE HEIGHT & STORAGE OF YARD ITEMS
The changes to ordinance 12-5-103 removes the 16 foot garage height limits and establishes that detached accessory structures are limited to one story in height. The change also updates and simplifies the list of allowable items that may be stored in an open side or rear yard.
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