Design Review Guidelines

Design Review in Downtown Sioux Falls exists “to protect major public and private investments that exist downtown and to enhance the positive visual character of the district by promoting architectural design which devotes as much attention to the physical appearance of the structure as to its functional aspects for all construction projects.

“The primary objective is to ensure new buildings, building additions, facade alterations, rehabilitations, and signage are compatible with the character of the district and fit in with their surroundings thereby reinforcing the visual quality of the area, preserving the property values, and supporting the tourism potential of downtown.”

City Zoning Ordinance Section 15.43 provides for the review of projects in the downtown district related to their design and compatibility with surrounding buildings. It is the city's intent to encourage new developments, redevelopments, and the remodeling of existing building exteriors which are substantially consistent with the design criteria set forth in the Downtown Design Guidelines for Sioux Falls, South Dakota, prepared in 1995.