Is a California Non-Resident Permit Valid in South Dakota?

Why

• California does not issue carry permits to non-residents (penal code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city or have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path).

Official Firearm Handbook: 'The state of South Dakota recognizes any valid concealed pistol permit issued to a nonresident of South Dakota, according to the terms of its issuance in the state of its issue' — any state's permit qualifies as long as the holder is not a South Dakota resident (SD residents simply carry permitless).

Carry rules in South Dakota

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter South Dakota, these rules replace the ones you know from California.

• No duty-to-inform provision appears in the Secretary of State's official Firearm Handbook or in SDCL chapter 23-7.
• South Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Permitless concealed carry under SDCL 23-7-7 applies statewide, including in vehicles, for residents and non-residents 18+ who may lawfully possess a pistol.

Off-limits places in South Dakota

• County courthouses (SDCL 22-14-23)
• The state capitol (SDCL 22-14-23; limited enhanced-permit exceptions)
• Elementary and secondary schools (SDCL 13-32-7)

Frequently asked questions

Is a California non-resident permit valid in South Dakota?

California does not sell permits to out-of-state applicants (penal Code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city OR have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path). For carry in South Dakota, what matters is a permit you can actually hold — your resident permit, or a non-resident permit from a state that issues them.

Do I have to tell police in South Dakota that I am carrying?

No duty-to-inform provision appears in the Secretary of State's official Firearm Handbook or in SDCL chapter 23-7.

Does South Dakota limit magazine capacity?

South Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in South Dakota without any permit?

South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does California issue non-resident carry permits?

No. California issues carry permits to residents only (penal Code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city OR have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.