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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Boone County
A zoning/building permit is required for new structures, additions, and alterations within unincorporated Boone County that are subject to the county's zoning regulations. The agricultural building exemption (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03) exempts structures used for agricultural purposes on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+ in farm products per year.
Structures used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 acres or more that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03)
Ordinary repairs and maintenance that do not change footprint, use, or structural character
- Exempt Structures used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 acres or more that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03)
- Exempt Ordinary repairs and maintenance that do not change footprint, use, or structural character
Note: Even if a project is exempt from the county zoning/building permit, the Assessor's information statement (for construction valued at $2,500+) may still be required by state law. NSED electrical permits are required statewide regardless of local exemptions. Confirm edge cases with the Boone County Planning & Zoning office before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed zoning/building permit application
- Site plan showing existing structures, proposed structure with dimensions, driveway, and property line setbacks
- Floodplain Development Permit application (if in FEMA flood zone)
- Conditional Use Permit (if required by zoning district for the proposed use)
- Building code
- Boone County's unincorporated territory does not appear to have independently adopted a residential building code (IBC/IRC) based on available public information. The zoning regulations govern land use and setbacks. The Nebraska State Fire Marshal has statewide jurisdiction over commercial and public buildings; plan review is required for commercial construction regardless of local code adoption.
- Permit validity
- Contact the Planning & Zoning office for current validity periods.
- Owner-builder
- Nebraska has no statewide owner-builder licensing restriction for general construction on one's own property. County zoning/building permit may be pulled by the property owner. Electrical work is subject to Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) rules.
- Contractor requirements
- Nebraska has no statewide general contractor license. Contractors must be registered under the Nebraska Contractor Registration Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 48-2101 to 48-2117): $25/year annual fee, workers' compensation certificate of insurance required (ACORD 25, with Nebraska Department of Labor as certificate holder). Electrical contractors must hold a valid NSED license.
Source: Boone County Planning & Zoning ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Contact the Planning & Zoning office at (402) 395-2737 for current processing time estimates.
- 01 Determine whether your parcel is in unincorporated Boone County (not within a city/village limit, and not within Albion's 1-mile ETJ). Use the county zoning map or call the Planning & Zoning office at (402) 395-2737.
- 02 Determine whether your project falls within a FEMA-mapped floodplain. If so, a separate Floodplain Development Permit is required in addition to the zoning/building permit. Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) or the Nebraska Floodplain Interactive Map.
- 03 Download the Zoning Permit or Building Permit application from the county forms page or pick up at 222 S 4th Street.
- 04 Prepare your site plan showing: (a) all existing structures on the parcel, (b) the proposed new structure with dimensions, (c) the driveway, and (d) distances to all property lines.
- 05 If the project requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) under the county's zoning regulations, a separate CUP application to the Planning & Zoning Commission is required before the building permit is issued.
- 06 Complete the Assessor's Building Permit information statement as required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-1318.01 for construction valued at $2,500 or more. This is coordinated through the County Assessor; confirm current process with the Planning & Zoning office.
- 07 Submit the completed application, site plan, and supporting materials in person or by mail to the Boone County Planning & Zoning office at 222 S 4th Street, Albion, NE 68620.
- 08 Await review and approval. Contact the office at (402) 395-2737 for current processing time estimates.
- 09 Post the approved permit at the job site during construction.
Typical processing time: Contact the Planning & Zoning office at (402) 395-2737 for current processing time estimates.
Source: Boone County Planning & Zoning ↗
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (402) 395-2737 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: Boone County does not appear to operate a county-level residential building inspection program for unincorporated areas. Confirm with the Planning & Zoning office whether any field inspections are conducted on issued permits.
Source: Boone County Planning & Zoning ↗
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Boone County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, NE? ▸
A zoning/building permit is required for new structures, additions, and alterations within unincorporated Boone County that are subject to the county's zoning regulations. The agricultural building exemption (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03) exempts structures used for agricultural purposes on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+ in farm products per year.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, NE? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, NE, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether your parcel is in unincorporated Boone County (not within a city/village limit, and not within Albion's 1-mile ETJ). Use the county zoning map or call the Planning & Zoning office at (402) 395-2737. 2. Determine whether your project falls within a FEMA-mapped floodplain. If so, a separate Floodplain Development Permit is required in addition to the zoning/building permit. Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) or the Nebraska Floodplain Interactive Map. 3. Download the Zoning Permit or Building Permit application from the county forms page or pick up at 222 S 4th Street. 4. Prepare your site plan showing: (a) all existing structures on the parcel, (b) the proposed new structure with dimensions, (c) the driveway, and (d) distances to all property lines. 5. If the project requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) under the county's zoning regulations, a separate CUP application to the Planning & Zoning Commission is required before the building permit is issued. 6. Complete the Assessor's Building Permit information statement as required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-1318.01 for construction valued at $2,500 or more. This is coordinated through the County Assessor; confirm current process with the Planning & Zoning office. 7. Submit the completed application, site plan, and supporting materials in person or by mail to the Boone County Planning & Zoning office at 222 S 4th Street, Albion, NE 68620. 8. Await review and approval. Contact the office at (402) 395-2737 for current processing time estimates. 9. Post the approved permit at the job site during construction.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, NE? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Boone County, NE typically run Contact the Planning & Zoning office at (402) 395-2737 for current processing time estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Boone County, NE? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Boone County, NE. The following work is generally exempt: Structures used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 acres or more that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03); Ordinary repairs and maintenance that do not change footprint, use, or structural character. Note: Even if a project is exempt from the county zoning/building permit, the Assessor's information statement (for construction valued at $2,500+) may still be required by state law. NSED electrical permits are required statewide regardless of local exemptions. Confirm edge cases with the Boone County Planning & Zoning office before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Boone County, NE? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Boone County, NE via: (402) 395-2737.
last verified April 2026
source Boone County Planning & Zoning ↗
entry id permits/nebraska/boone/boone-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Boone County Planning & Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.