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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Cherry County
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114, counties that have adopted zoning regulations must require permits prior to construction of any nonfarm building or structure in a zoned area. Cherry County has adopted a Zoning Resolution and requires land use permits for nonfarm structures in unincorporated territory. Agricultural buildings on qualifying farmsteads are exempt; confirm eligibility with the Zoning Administrator.
Agricultural buildings on qualifying farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+/year in farm products (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03); includes barns, machine sheds, hay storage, and similar working farm/ranch structures
Minor maintenance and repair work that does not constitute new construction or change of use
Properties within the Niobrara River Corridor Agricultural District (NRCAG) may have more restrictive exemption standards; consult with the administrator and NPS
- Exempt Agricultural buildings on qualifying farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+/year in farm products (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03); includes barns, machine sheds, hay storage, and similar working farm/ranch structures
- Exempt Minor maintenance and repair work that does not constitute new construction or change of use
- Exempt Properties within the Niobrara River Corridor Agricultural District (NRCAG) may have more restrictive exemption standards; consult with the administrator and NPS
Note: Exemption from county zoning permit does not exempt structures from: Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) electrical permits, NDEE/DWEE septic registration ($140), NDEE Construction Stormwater Permit for 1+ acre disturbance, floodplain development permits (FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas), or FEMA compliance if applicable. Confirm all applicable requirements with the Planning and Zoning Administrator before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed land use/zoning permit application
- Site plan or plot plan showing property lines, proposed structure location, and setbacks
- Description of proposed use and structure type
- Property ownership documentation (parcel ID, legal description)
- Evidence of floodplain compliance (if parcel is in or adjacent to a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area)
- Building code
- Cherry County (unincorporated) has not adopted a residential building code. The Zoning Resolution explicitly states it does not create any building, plumbing, electrical, or construction code. Nebraska does not mandate a statewide residential building code for unincorporated territory. The Nebraska State Building Code (2018 IBC/2018 IRC) applies to state-owned and commercial/public buildings under State Fire Marshal jurisdiction.
- Permit validity
- Not publicly stated. Confirm current permit validity and expiration policy with the Planning and Zoning Administrator at (402) 376-1155.
- Owner-builder
- Nebraska does not require a general contractor license. Homeowners may build their own structures. Electrical work requires a licensed electrical contractor or a homeowner permit through the Nebraska State Electrical Division.
- Contractor requirements
- Nebraska does not issue a statewide general contractor license. Contractors must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor ($25/year, workers' compensation required). See https://dol.nebraska.gov/conreg
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Administrator at (402) 376-1155 for current turnaround estimate.
- 01 Confirm your parcel is in unincorporated Cherry County (not within incorporated city or village limits). Contact the Cherry County Assessor at cherry.nebraskaassessors.com or call (402) 376-1155 to verify.
- 02 Determine if your project qualifies for the agricultural building exemption (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). Farm buildings on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+/year in farm products are exempt from county zoning permit requirements. Even exempt structures require NSED electrical permits and NDEE septic registration.
- 03 Check if your parcel is in the Niobrara River Corridor Agricultural District (NRCAG) or another sensitive zoning district. NRCAG properties have additional restrictions. Contact the Zoning Administrator and the NPS Niobrara NSR office (402-376-1901) before proceeding.
- 04 Check FEMA flood maps (msc.fema.gov) to determine if your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. If so, obtain a floodplain development permit from Cherry County before any building permit is issued.
- 05 Contact the Cherry County Planning and Zoning Administrator at (402) 376-1155 to discuss your project and obtain the land use permit application.
- 06 Prepare required documents: site/plot plan showing property lines and setbacks, description of proposed structure, property ownership documentation, and evidence of floodplain compliance if applicable.
- 07 Submit completed application and documents in person at the Cherry County Courthouse, 365 N Main Street, Valentine, NE 69201.
- 08 Pay the permit fee at time of application. Fee schedule is established by county board resolution; confirm current amounts with the administrator.
- 09 For projects disturbing 1+ acre, file a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a Construction Stormwater Permit (NER210000) with NDEE at least 7 days before grading begins.
- 10 For onsite wastewater systems, register with NDEE/DWEE ($140). Sandhills terrain typically requires engineered system design by a certified professional.
- 11 All electrical work requires a separate permit through the Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) regardless of location.
- 12 Obtain permit, post on job site, and begin construction.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Administrator at (402) 376-1155 for current turnaround estimate.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Cherry County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Established by county board resolution. Typical Nebraska rural county land use permit fees for nonfarm structures range from $25 to $150, but Cherry County's exact schedule is not published online.
Payment accepted in person at the courthouse. Likely cash or check; confirm with administrator.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (402) 376-1155 (phone)
- Cherry County Courthouse, 365 N Main Street, Valentine, NE 69201 (in-person)
- Scheduling deadline
- Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Administrator for current scheduling details.
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday during county courthouse business hours (confirm current hours with administrator)
- Time windows
- Not specified. Contact administrator for scheduling windows.
Typical sequence: Cherry County (unincorporated) does not operate a building inspection program for residential structures. There is no county-administered building inspector for residential construction. Commercial structures are subject to Nebraska State Fire Marshal plan review and inspection.
Not applicable. County does not conduct building inspections for residential work.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Cherry County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cherry County, NE? ▸
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114, counties that have adopted zoning regulations must require permits prior to construction of any nonfarm building or structure in a zoned area. Cherry County has adopted a Zoning Resolution and requires land use permits for nonfarm structures in unincorporated territory. Agricultural buildings on qualifying farmsteads are exempt; confirm eligibility with the Zoning Administrator.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cherry County, NE? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Cherry County, NE are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Established by county board resolution. Typical Nebraska rural county land use permit fees for nonfarm structures range from $25 to $150, but Cherry County's exact schedule is not published online..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cherry County, NE? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cherry County, NE, follow these steps: 1. Confirm your parcel is in unincorporated Cherry County (not within incorporated city or village limits). Contact the Cherry County Assessor at cherry.nebraskaassessors.com or call (402) 376-1155 to verify. 2. Determine if your project qualifies for the agricultural building exemption (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). Farm buildings on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+/year in farm products are exempt from county zoning permit requirements. Even exempt structures require NSED electrical permits and NDEE septic registration. 3. Check if your parcel is in the Niobrara River Corridor Agricultural District (NRCAG) or another sensitive zoning district. NRCAG properties have additional restrictions. Contact the Zoning Administrator and the NPS Niobrara NSR office (402-376-1901) before proceeding. 4. Check FEMA flood maps (msc.fema.gov) to determine if your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. If so, obtain a floodplain development permit from Cherry County before any building permit is issued. 5. Contact the Cherry County Planning and Zoning Administrator at (402) 376-1155 to discuss your project and obtain the land use permit application. 6. Prepare required documents: site/plot plan showing property lines and setbacks, description of proposed structure, property ownership documentation, and evidence of floodplain compliance if applicable. 7. Submit completed application and documents in person at the Cherry County Courthouse, 365 N Main Street, Valentine, NE 69201. 8. Pay the permit fee at time of application. Fee schedule is established by county board resolution; confirm current amounts with the administrator. 9. For projects disturbing 1+ acre, file a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a Construction Stormwater Permit (NER210000) with NDEE at least 7 days before grading begins. 10. For onsite wastewater systems, register with NDEE/DWEE ($140). Sandhills terrain typically requires engineered system design by a certified professional. 11. All electrical work requires a separate permit through the Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) regardless of location. 12. Obtain permit, post on job site, and begin construction.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cherry County, NE? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Cherry County, NE typically run Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Administrator at (402) 376-1155 for current turnaround estimate.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cherry County, NE? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Cherry County, NE. The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on qualifying farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+/year in farm products (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03); includes barns, machine sheds, hay storage, and similar working farm/ranch structures; Minor maintenance and repair work that does not constitute new construction or change of use; Properties within the Niobrara River Corridor Agricultural District (NRCAG) may have more restrictive exemption standards; consult with the administrator and NPS. Note: Exemption from county zoning permit does not exempt structures from: Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) electrical permits, NDEE/DWEE septic registration ($140), NDEE Construction Stormwater Permit for 1+ acre disturbance, floodplain development permits (FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas), or FEMA compliance if applicable. Confirm all applicable requirements with the Planning and Zoning Administrator before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cherry County, NE? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cherry County, NE via: (402) 376-1155, Cherry County Courthouse, 365 N Main Street, Valentine, NE 69201. Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Administrator for current scheduling details..
last verified April 2026
source Cherry County Planning and Zoning Administrator ↗
entry id permits/nebraska/cherry/cherry-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Cherry County Planning and Zoning Administrator before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.