County Building Permits
Brown County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Brown County, Nebraska only. For properties in incorporated cities (Ainsworth, Long Pine, Johnstown), contact your city directly.
- Department
- Brown County Planning & Zoning Division
- Address
- 87969 437th Ave, Long Pine, NE 69217
- Phone
- (402) 382-8004
- zoning@browncountyne.gov
- Website
- https://www.browncountyne.gov
Application Process
- Contact the Brown County Zoning Administrator to inquire about permit requirements for your property.
- Prepare a written application including the proposed location and use of the property.
- Submit the written application to the Brown County Clerk's office.
- The Zoning Administrator forwards the application to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation.
- The County Board may authorize special permits after holding a public hearing.
- Once approved, the Zoning Administrator issues the permit.
Typical processing time: Timeline varies; contact the Zoning Administrator for details.
General Requirements
A building permit is required for construction, reconstruction, repair, or conversion of nonfarm buildings and structures in zoned areas of unincorporated Brown County.
Required Documents
- Completed written application
- Property location details
- Proposed use of property
- Documentation of compliance with Brown County Zoning Regulations
- Permit validity
- Contact the Zoning Administrator for information on permit validity periods.
- Building code
- Nebraska State Building Code standards (2018 IBC, IRC, Existing Building Code, Uniform Plumbing Code); county may adopt additional building codes conforming to state standards.
- Contractor requirements
- Electrical contractor work requires Nebraska State Electrical Division licensure. Contractors employing workers must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor.
Fees
- Payment note
- Permit fees are set by the Brown County Board. Contact the Zoning Administrator for current fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Agricultural buildings on properties of 20+ acres with $1,000+ in annual farm products (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03)
Important: Even exempt work must comply with all other applicable zoning regulations and setback requirements. Confirm exemptions with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (402) 382-8004 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact the Zoning Administrator to schedule inspections.
- Inspection hours
- Contact for available hours.
Typical inspection sequence: Specific inspection procedures and timelines are determined by the Zoning Administrator. Contact for details.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Nebraska State Building Code standards (2018 IBC, IRC, Existing Building Code, Uniform Plumbing Code); county may adopt additional building codes conforming to state standards.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy — Onsite Wastewater Program
- Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy — Construction Stormwater Permits
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal — Building Code Enforcement
- Nebraska State Electrical Division — Licensing and Permits
- Nebraska Department of Labor — Contractor Registration
- License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Brown County Planning & Zoning Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brown County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, NE?
- A building permit is required for construction, reconstruction, repair, or conversion of nonfarm buildings and structures in zoned areas of unincorporated Brown County.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, NE?
- 1. Contact the Brown County Zoning Administrator to inquire about permit requirements for your property. 2. Prepare a written application including the proposed location and use of the property. 3. Submit the written application to the Brown County Clerk's office. 4. The Zoning Administrator forwards the application to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation. 5. The County Board may authorize special permits after holding a public hearing. 6. Once approved, the Zoning Administrator issues the permit.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, NE?
- Typical processing time is Timeline varies; contact the Zoning Administrator for details..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Brown County, NE?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on properties of 20+ acres with $1,000+ in annual farm products (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). Note: Even exempt work must comply with all other applicable zoning regulations and setback requirements. Confirm exemptions with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Brown County, NE?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (402) 382-8004. Contact the Zoning Administrator to schedule inspections..
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