Burt County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers all unincorporated land in Burt County. Incorporated municipalities (Tekamah, Oakland, Lyons, Decatur, Walthill, Craig) administer their own permit programs.

Department

Burt County Planning and Zoning

Address

Burt County Courthouse, 111 North 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061

Phone

(402) 374-2945

Email

planning@burtcountyne.gov

Website

https://burtcountyne.gov/planning-and-zoning/forms-permits-and-regulations/

Application Process

1. Confirm whether your property is in unincorporated Burt County or within an incorporated municipality by contacting the Planning and Zoning office.
2. Contact the Planning and Zoning office at (402) 374-2945 or planning@burtcountyne.gov to confirm the zoning district and determine whether your project qualifies for the agricultural building exemption under Nebraska statute.
3. Download the Application for Zoning Permit from the county website.
4. Complete the application with property owner information, legal description, parcel/APN number, project description, structure dimensions, estimated cost, and contractor registration information.
5. For conditional uses (livestock operations, manufactured home parks, certain commercial uses), submit a separate Conditional Use Permit Application.
6. Submit the completed application, required attachments, and applicable fee to the Burt County Planning and Zoning office in person or by mail.
7. The Zoning Administrator reviews your application. Simple applications are processed administratively; conditional use permits go before the Planning and Zoning Board.
8. If approved, receive your permit and post it on the job site before beginning work.

Typical processing time: Processing timelines vary. Contact the Planning and Zoning office for current turnaround times.

Source: Burt County Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

A zoning permit is required prior to construction, reconstruction, alteration, relocation, or expansion of any building or structure in unincorporated Burt County. Also required before any change in use of land or a building or structure.

Required Documents

• Completed Zoning Permit Application (Form R-1)
• Property owner name and address
• Legal description of parcel
• Parcel/APN number
• Project description and proposed use
• Structure dimensions (width, length, height)
• Estimated project cost
• Contractor name and registration information

Building code

Burt County has not been confirmed to have adopted a local building code for unincorporated residential construction as of the research date. Under Nebraska law, the state building code (IBC/IRC 2018 with partial 2021 Chapter 13 amendment) applies by default.

Contractor requirements

All contractors and subcontractors must register annually with the Nebraska Department of Labor (registration fee $25/year; workers' compensation certificate required). See Nebraska Contractor Registration portal at https://dol.nebraska.gov/conreg

Fees

Payment note

Payment likely by check payable to Burt County. Confirm payment methods and current fee amounts by contacting the Planning and Zoning office at (402) 374-2945 or planning@burtcountyne.gov

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20 or more acres producing $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Nebraska Revised Statute § 23-114.03) — exemption is statutory and cannot be waived by the county

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements, setback compliance, or state environmental permits (septic, stormwater, electrical). Confirm all requirements with the Planning and Zoning office before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (402) 374-2945 (phone)
• planning@burtcountyne.gov (email)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection requirements vary by project type. Contact the Planning and Zoning office for specific inspection protocols.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Burt County has not been confirmed to have adopted a local building code for unincorporated residential construction as of the research date. Under Nebraska law, the state building code (IBC/IRC 2018 with partial 2021 Chapter 13 amendment) applies by default.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Nebraska Contractor Registration
• Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED)
• Nebraska State Fire Marshal
• Nebraska DWEE — Onsite Wastewater (Septic)
• Nebraska DWEE — Construction Stormwater Permits
• FEMA Flood Map Lookup
• Nebraska DNR Floodplain Management
• License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Burt County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Burt County, NE?

A zoning permit is required prior to construction, reconstruction, alteration, relocation, or expansion of any building or structure in unincorporated Burt County. Also required before any change in use of land or a building or structure.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Burt County, NE?

1. Confirm whether your property is in unincorporated Burt County or within an incorporated municipality by contacting the Planning and Zoning office. 2. Contact the Planning and Zoning office at (402) 374-2945 or planning@burtcountyne.gov to confirm the zoning district and determine whether your project qualifies for the agricultural building exemption under Nebraska statute. 3. Download the Application for Zoning Permit from the county website. 4. Complete the application with property owner information, legal description, parcel/APN number, project description, structure dimensions, estimated cost, and contractor registration information. 5. For conditional uses (livestock operations, manufactured home parks, certain commercial uses), submit a separate Conditional Use Permit Application. 6. Submit the completed application, required attachments, and applicable fee to the Burt County Planning and Zoning office in person or by mail. 7. The Zoning Administrator reviews your application. Simple applications are processed administratively; conditional use permits go before the Planning and Zoning Board. 8. If approved, receive your permit and post it on the job site before beginning work.

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

Typical processing time is Processing timelines vary. Contact the Planning and Zoning office for current turnaround times..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Burt County, NE?

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20 or more acres producing $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Nebraska Revised Statute § 23-114.03) — exemption is statutory and cannot be waived by the county. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements, setback compliance, or state environmental permits (septic, stormwater, electrical). Confirm all requirements with the Planning and Zoning office before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Burt County, NE?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (402) 374-2945, planning@burtcountyne.gov.