Clay County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to all unincorporated land in Clay County outside the corporate limits of incorporated municipalities. The Joint Planning Commission also administers zoning for participating villages: Clay Center, Harvard, Edgar, Fairfield, Trumbull, Sutton, and Saronville.

Department

Clay County Joint Planning Commission / Clay County Zoning Office

Address

111 W Fairfield Street, Clay Center, NE 68933 (Clay County Court House, bottom floor)

Phone

(402) 762-3651

Website

https://claycounty.ne.gov/webpages/planning_zoning/planning_zoning.html

Application Process

1. Determine that the property is in unincorporated Clay County and outside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality.
2. Download or obtain the Clay County Zoning Permit Application from https://claycounty.ne.gov/pdfs/zoning/zoning_permit_application.pdf or pick up a copy in person at the Zoning Office.
3. Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan showing proposed structure footprint, dimensions, setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way, and parcel legal description.
4. Submit the completed application in person at the Clay County Zoning Office, 111 W Fairfield Street, Clay Center, NE 68933.
5. Pay the applicable permit fee at time of application (county staff accepts payment; fees payable to the Clay County Treasurer).
6. County staff reviews for compliance with Clay County Zoning Regulations. Processing time is not publicly stated; contact (402) 762-3651 for current estimates.
7. Upon approval, a Zoning Permit is issued. An Occupancy/Compliance Certificate may be requested upon completion of work.
8. For projects disturbing one or more acres, obtain an NDEE Construction Stormwater General Permit (NOI) before breaking ground.
9. For electrical work, obtain an NSED electrical permit online at https://electrical.nebraska.gov/ and coordinate with the applicable NSED district inspector.
10. For commercial and public assembly projects, submit plans to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal for plan review at https://sfm.nebraska.gov/ before beginning work.
11. For onsite wastewater (septic) systems not covered by Authorization by Rule, coordinate with the NDEE Onsite Wastewater Program.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact (402) 762-3651 for current estimates.

Source: Clay County Joint Planning Commission / Clay County Zoning Office

General Requirements

A Zoning Permit is required for all new construction, placement of structures (including moved-in buildings), and substantial alterations to existing structures in unincorporated Clay County, subject to zoning regulations. Agricultural buildings qualifying under Nebraska Revised Statute § 23-114.03/114.04 are exempt from both the permit requirement and the fee.

Required Documents

• Completed Clay County Zoning Permit Application
• Site plan showing proposed structure footprint, dimensions, and setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way
• Parcel legal description
• Contractor information (if applicable)

Permit validity

Not publicly specified; contact the Zoning Administrator at (402) 762-3651 for information on permit expiration and validity periods.

Building code

No county-level structural building code enforcement program. The Nebraska state building code (2018 IBC, 2018 IRC, 2018 IEBC, and 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code) applies by default under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6403. Local jurisdictions may adopt stricter codes under § 71-6406.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must comply with zoning setbacks and applicable state regulations (electrical, septic, fire). No county structural inspections are conducted; owner-builders bear personal responsibility for structural code compliance.

Contractor requirements

Contractors and subcontractors must maintain current Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) Contractor Registration and workers' compensation insurance (annual NDOL fee: $25). No statewide general contractor license requirement in Nebraska; local registration may apply for specific municipalities.

Fees

Permit fee formula

$25 permit fee for any improvement valued over $1,000. Projects valued at or under $1,000 may still require a permit application; contact the Zoning Office to confirm.

Penalty (no permit)

$50 late fee if construction of walls, structural alteration of footprint, or moving in of a structure has already begun before permit issuance.

Payment note

Fees are payable to the Clay County Treasurer and are accepted in person at the courthouse. All fees are nonrefundable.

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 in farm products per year (under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03/114.04) — no permit fee or requirement

Important: Agricultural exemption requires genuine qualification. If a property does not meet both the 20-acre farmstead threshold and the $1,000 farm product threshold, a zoning permit is required. Retain documentation of qualifying status. Even exempt structures must comply with zoning setbacks and district regulations.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Clay County Zoning Office: (402) 762-3651 (phone)

Inspection hours

Contact the courthouse at (402) 762-3651 to confirm current office hours. The Zoning Administrator attends various meetings throughout the week; call ahead to confirm availability.

Typical inspection sequence: Clay County does not conduct county-level structural building inspections for residential projects. County staff reviews zoning compliance only. Applicants bear responsibility for structural code compliance with the Nebraska state building code (2018 IBC/IRC).

An Occupancy/Compliance Certificate may be requested upon completion of work; contact the Zoning Office for the process.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No county-level structural building code enforcement program. The Nebraska state building code (2018 IBC, 2018 IRC, 2018 IEBC, and 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code) applies by default under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6403. Local jurisdictions may adopt stricter codes under § 71-6406.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Nebraska State Building Code (2018 IBC/IRC)
• Nebraska State Fire Marshal — Plans Submittal
• Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) — Permits & Inspections
• NSED Inspector Locator (GIS Mapping)
• NDEE Onsite Wastewater Program
• NDEE Construction Stormwater General Permit
• Clay County Floodplain Management & NFIP
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• Clay County Contacts
• License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Clay County Building Permit FAQ

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

A Zoning Permit is required for all new construction, placement of structures (including moved-in buildings), and substantial alterations to existing structures in unincorporated Clay County, subject to zoning regulations. Agricultural buildings qualifying under Nebraska Revised Statute § 23-114.03/114.04 are exempt from both the permit requirement and the fee.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Clay County, NE?

Fees are calculated as: $25 permit fee for any improvement valued over $1,000. Projects valued at or under $1,000 may still require a permit application; contact the Zoning Office to confirm..

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

1. Determine that the property is in unincorporated Clay County and outside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality. 2. Download or obtain the Clay County Zoning Permit Application from https://claycounty.ne.gov/pdfs/zoning/zoning_permit_application.pdf or pick up a copy in person at the Zoning Office. 3. Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan showing proposed structure footprint, dimensions, setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way, and parcel legal description. 4. Submit the completed application in person at the Clay County Zoning Office, 111 W Fairfield Street, Clay Center, NE 68933. 5. Pay the applicable permit fee at time of application (county staff accepts payment; fees payable to the Clay County Treasurer). 6. County staff reviews for compliance with Clay County Zoning Regulations. Processing time is not publicly stated; contact (402) 762-3651 for current estimates. 7. Upon approval, a Zoning Permit is issued. An Occupancy/Compliance Certificate may be requested upon completion of work. 8. For projects disturbing one or more acres, obtain an NDEE Construction Stormwater General Permit (NOI) before breaking ground. 9. For electrical work, obtain an NSED electrical permit online at https://electrical.nebraska.gov/ and coordinate with the applicable NSED district inspector. 10. For commercial and public assembly projects, submit plans to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal for plan review at https://sfm.nebraska.gov/ before beginning work. 11. For onsite wastewater (septic) systems not covered by Authorization by Rule, coordinate with the NDEE Onsite Wastewater Program.

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

Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact (402) 762-3651 for current estimates..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20 or more acres producing $1,000 or more in farm products per year (under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03/114.04) — no permit fee or requirement. Note: Agricultural exemption requires genuine qualification. If a property does not meet both the 20-acre farmstead threshold and the $1,000 farm product threshold, a zoning permit is required. Retain documentation of qualifying status. Even exempt structures must comply with zoning setbacks and district regulations.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Clay County Zoning Office: (402) 762-3651.