County Building Permits
Colfax County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Colfax County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Nebraska Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Colfax County, excluding incorporated cities and villages and their one-mile extraterritorial zones. Colfax County is a zoned county with active enforcement of zoning regulations.
- Department
- Colfax County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- 411 East 11th Street, Schuyler, NE 68661
- Phone
- (402) 352-8505
- zoning@colfaxne.com
Application Process
- Contact the Colfax County Planning and Zoning office at (402) 352-8505 to confirm the property's zoning district and whether a zoning permit is required.
- Obtain the appropriate application form from the Planning and Zoning office or the county website. The county issues distinct permit types: Residential Zoning Permit, Non-Residential (Commercial) Zoning Permit, Conditional Use Permit, Grain Bin Permit, Livestock Feeding Operation (LFO) Permit, Floodplain Development Permit Application, and Lot Split application.
- Complete the application and assemble required supporting documents: site plan, legal description, property owner information, and description of proposed work.
- Submit in person or by mail to 411 East 11th Street, Schuyler, NE 68661, Attn: Planning and Zoning.
- Pay applicable fee at the time of submission. Fee schedule is set by the county; contact the office at (402) 352-8505 for current amounts.
- The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for compliance with the Colfax County Zoning Resolution.
- For conditional use permits and certain larger developments, the Planning Commission reviews the application and makes a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.
- The Board of Commissioners makes final decisions on conditional use permits. Per LB 663 (effective 2023), timelines for commission action on permit applications are now codified in state statute.
- After approval, receive zoning permit. Post permit at job site as directed.
- Note: Colfax County does not conduct building inspections for standard residential or commercial construction outside flood zones. The permit is primarily a zoning/land-use record.
Typical processing time: Varies by permit type and complexity; contact office for timeline estimates.
General Requirements
A zoning permit is required for any new residential or non-residential structure, accessory structures above a de minimis threshold, grain bins, livestock feeding operations, developments in Special Flood Hazard Areas, and lot splits in Colfax County unincorporated area.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application form
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed structure location
- Legal description of the property
- Property owner information
- Description of proposed work
- Elevation certificate (for floodplain development)
- Permit validity
- Contact the Planning and Zoning office for permit validity and expiration terms.
- Building code
- Nebraska state baseline codes apply (2018 IBC/2018 IRC/2018 IECC unless locally amended). Confirm current code edition with the Planning and Zoning office.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders may apply for permits directly. Confirm any special requirements with the Planning and Zoning office.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors performing work in Colfax County must be registered with the Nebraska Department of Labor (dol.nebraska.gov/conreg, $25/year, workers' compensation insurance required).
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Not published. Contact (402) 352-8505.
- Permit fee formula
- Not published. Contact (402) 352-8505.
- Payment note
- DWEE onsite wastewater registration: $140. NSED electrical permit: varies (electrical.nebraska.gov for current schedule). Nebraska State Fire Marshal commercial plan review: based on project cost (sfm.nebraska.gov for current fees).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Agricultural structures on qualifying farmsteads: 20+ acres with $1,000+ annual farm products (Nebraska Revised Statute § 23-114.03)
- Routine repairs and maintenance that do not change the use, size, or location of a structure
Important: Exempt from county zoning permit does not mean exempt from state-level permitting (electrical, septic, stormwater, well registration). Agricultural exemption claims must be verified in writing with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding without a permit.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Colfax County Planning and Zoning: (402) 352-8505 (phone)
- 411 East 11th Street, Schuyler, NE 68661 (in-person)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact office to schedule. Standard office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Time windows
- Contact office for available inspection windows.
Typical inspection sequence: Colfax County does not conduct building inspections for standard residential or commercial construction. County zoning permit is primarily a land-use compliance record. Floodplain development inspection is conducted by the Floodplain Administrator for work in Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Nebraska state baseline codes apply (2018 IBC/2018 IRC/2018 IECC unless locally amended). Confirm current code edition with the Planning and Zoning office.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Nebraska State Electrical Division
- Nebraska DWEE Onsite Wastewater
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal - Plan Review
- Nebraska Department of Labor - Contractor Registration
- Lower Platte North Natural Resources District
- Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District
- Nebraska Floodplain Management
- 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 Colfax County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Colfax County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Colfax County, NE?
- A zoning permit is required for any new residential or non-residential structure, accessory structures above a de minimis threshold, grain bins, livestock feeding operations, developments in Special Flood Hazard Areas, and lot splits in Colfax County unincorporated area.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Colfax County, NE?
- The minimum permit fee is Not published. Contact (402) 352-8505.. Fees are calculated as: Not published. Contact (402) 352-8505..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Colfax County, NE?
- 1. Contact the Colfax County Planning and Zoning office at (402) 352-8505 to confirm the property's zoning district and whether a zoning permit is required. 2. Obtain the appropriate application form from the Planning and Zoning office or the county website. The county issues distinct permit types: Residential Zoning Permit, Non-Residential (Commercial) Zoning Permit, Conditional Use Permit, Grain Bin Permit, Livestock Feeding Operation (LFO) Permit, Floodplain Development Permit Application, and Lot Split application. 3. Complete the application and assemble required supporting documents: site plan, legal description, property owner information, and description of proposed work. 4. Submit in person or by mail to 411 East 11th Street, Schuyler, NE 68661, Attn: Planning and Zoning. 5. Pay applicable fee at the time of submission. Fee schedule is set by the county; contact the office at (402) 352-8505 for current amounts. 6. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for compliance with the Colfax County Zoning Resolution. 7. For conditional use permits and certain larger developments, the Planning Commission reviews the application and makes a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. 8. The Board of Commissioners makes final decisions on conditional use permits. Per LB 663 (effective 2023), timelines for commission action on permit applications are now codified in state statute. 9. After approval, receive zoning permit. Post permit at job site as directed. 10. Note: Colfax County does not conduct building inspections for standard residential or commercial construction outside flood zones. The permit is primarily a zoning/land-use record.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Colfax County, NE?
- Typical processing time is Varies by permit type and complexity; contact office for timeline estimates..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Colfax County, NE?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural structures on qualifying farmsteads: 20+ acres with $1,000+ annual farm products (Nebraska Revised Statute § 23-114.03); Routine repairs and maintenance that do not change the use, size, or location of a structure. Note: Exempt from county zoning permit does not mean exempt from state-level permitting (electrical, septic, stormwater, well registration). Agricultural exemption claims must be verified in writing with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding without a permit.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Colfax County, NE?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Colfax County Planning and Zoning: (402) 352-8505, 411 East 11th Street, Schuyler, NE 68661. Contact office to schedule. Standard office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM..
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This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.