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

Why

• South Dakota recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
• South Dakota does not honor an out-of-state permit held by a South Dakota resident.
• South Dakota allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

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

South Dakota bans carry in 3 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• County courthouses (SDCL 22-14-23)
• The state capitol (SDCL 22-14-23; limited enhanced-permit exceptions)

California vs South Dakota: what changes at the state line

Crossing from California into South Dakota changes 4 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (18+)); magazine limit (10 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (None → All states); open carry (Restricted → Yes, no permit).

Going the other way, a South Dakota non-resident permit in California: no such permit issued.

Driving on from South Dakota

How a California non-resident permit fares in the states bordering South Dakota:

• Iowa — Recognized — not for Iowa residents; permitless carry applies
• Minnesota — Recognized — carry with your permit
• Montana — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Nebraska — Recognized — not for Nebraska residents; permitless carry applies
• North Dakota — Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies
• Wyoming — Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies

Frequently asked questions

Does South Dakota honor a California resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. The verdict matches the non-resident permit on this page, but the conditions differ.

Can a South Dakota non-resident permit holder carry in California?

South Dakota does not issue non-resident carry permits, so there is no such permit to carry in California.

Where does South Dakota publish its official reciprocity list?

South Dakota publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.