Brown County, NE — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

Brown County Planning & Zoning Division

Street address

87969 437th Ave, Long Pine, NE 69217

Phone

(402) 382-8004

zoning@browncountyne.gov

Coverage

Unincorporated areas of Brown County, Nebraska only. For properties in incorporated cities (Ainsworth, Long Pine, Johnstown), contact your city directly.

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Brown County

A building permit is required for construction, reconstruction, repair, or conversion of nonfarm buildings and structures in zoned areas of unincorporated Brown County.

Scope of work

Permit?

Agricultural buildings on properties of 20+ acres with $1,000+ in annual farm products (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03)

Exempt

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.

Required documents

Completed written application
Property location details
Proposed use of property
Documentation of compliance with Brown County Zoning Regulations

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.
Permit validity: Contact the Zoning Administrator for information on permit validity periods.
Contractor requirements: Electrical contractor work requires Nebraska State Electrical Division licensure. Contractors employing workers must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Timeline varies; contact the Zoning Administrator for details.

01

Contact the Brown County Zoning Administrator to inquire about permit requirements for your property.
02

Prepare a written application including the proposed location and use of the property.
03

Submit the written application to the Brown County Clerk's office.
04

The Zoning Administrator forwards the application to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation.
05

The County Board may authorize special permits after holding a public hearing.
06

Once approved, the Zoning Administrator issues the permit.

Typical processing time: Timeline varies; contact the Zoning Administrator for details.

Source: Brown County Planning & Zoning Division ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(402) 382-8004 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Contact the Zoning Administrator to schedule inspections.
Inspection hours: Contact for available hours.

Typical sequence: Specific inspection procedures and timelines are determined by the Zoning Administrator. Contact for details.

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Brown County permits

01 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.

02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, NE? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, NE, follow these steps: 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.

03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, NE? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Brown County, NE typically run Timeline varies; contact the Zoning Administrator for details.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Brown County, NE? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Brown County, NE? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Brown County, NE via: (402) 382-8004. Contact the Zoning Administrator to schedule inspections..

last verified April 2026 source Brown County Planning & Zoning Division ↗ entry id permits/nebraska/brown/brown-county

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Brown County Planning & Zoning Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Brown County