Indigo Construction (605) 381-1601
Davison County · 15,660 people

Egress windows in Mitchell.

About an hour west of Sioux Falls on I-90, in Davison County. Home of the Corn Palace and Dakota Wesleyan University.

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In Mitchell

Mitchell builds to the 2012 International Residential Code (City Code §9-2-1), and the city requires a building permit for any remodel or basement finish. Under that code an escape opening needs at least 5.7 sq ft of clear opening (5.0 at a grade floor), 24 in of clear height, 20 in of clear width, and a sill no higher than 44 in, with a well of at least 9 sq ft and 36 in of projection and width. Indigo Construction cuts the opening, sets the well, finishes the room, and handles the permit with Mitchell Building Inspection.

Mitchell basements

Mitchell had 15,660 people at the 2020 Census, which makes it the biggest town on I-90 between Sioux Falls and the Missouri River. That means plenty of basements with small original windows under bedrooms that were finished years ago, and plenty of unfinished ones waiting for a bedroom. Either way, a basement bedroom needs its own code-sized way out before it counts as one.

The 2012 IRC's escape-opening numbers are stricter than Sioux Falls', which amended its code to a 5.0 sq ft opening and a 48 in sill. A window that passes in Sioux Falls may not pass in Mitchell, so run yours through the checker with the model-code setting.

Permits and code in Mitchell

WhatIn Mitchell
Residential code2012 International Residential Code, adopted by reference in City Code §9-2-1 (effective 2015)
Permit neededAny remodel or basement finish, and any addition
Who issues itMitchell Building Inspection, 612 N Main St, (605) 995-8433
RadonDavison County is EPA Radon Zone 1, the highest-potential zone

The city code also allows local amendments to the adopted codes, so we confirm the current rules with Building Inspection before we cut. Because Davison County sits in Radon Zone 1, test before you finish a basement; mitigation is far easier to rough in before the walls close up. See basement finishing.

What we do here

Mitchell

Mitchell questions.

Local answers, as far as we know them. Your building department is the final word.

What size egress window does Mitchell require?

Mitchell has adopted the 2012 International Residential Code. It asks for at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening (5.0 sq ft at a grade floor), 24 in of clear height and 20 in of clear width, with the sill no more than 44 in above the floor. Wells need 9 sq ft of area and 36 in of projection and width, plus a ladder or steps once they're deeper than 44 in.

Do I need a permit to finish a basement in Mitchell?

Yes. The city requires a building permit for any remodel or basement finish. Permits come from Mitchell Building Inspection at 612 N Main St, (605) 995-8433, and we handle the application as part of the job.

Do you really come out to Mitchell from Sioux Falls?

Yes. Mitchell is about an hour west on I-90, and we take work across the region, including Alexandria, Plankinton and the towns between Mitchell and Chamberlain.

Is radon a concern in Mitchell basements?

Davison County is in EPA Radon Zone 1, the highest-potential zone, and the EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone. Test before finishing a basement, since a mitigation system is easiest to install while the walls are still open.

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