Unincorporated Cuming County

A zoning permit is required before any excavating, erecting, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, altering, or moving of any structure, including livestock facilities, grain bins, barns, sheds, residences, commercial buildings, and accessory structures. A permit is also required before any change of use or connection to water or sewer facilities.

• Exempt Agricultural buildings used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year (barns, livestock housing, poultry facilities, farm machinery sheds, grain/hay storage buildings) — but grain bin permits are routinely sought voluntarily for zoning compliance and power line clearance review.
• Exempt Structures in the floodway (active channel) — no structures permitted; Flood Fringe development requires floodplain development permit and elevation/floodproofing standards.

Note: Even exempt agricultural structures must comply with zoning setback and land use requirements. All statewide requirements apply: NSED electrical licensing, NDEE Title 124 septic registration, Nebraska State Fire Marshal review for commercial/public structures, RRNC radon mitigation for new residential, NDEE stormwater NOI for land disturbance of 1 acre or more, and Nebraska Contractor Registration Act compliance. Confirm exemption status with the Zoning Administrator before proceeding.

Building code

Nebraska does not mandate a statewide residential building code for locally governed areas. Cuming County administers zoning permits and compliance with zoning regulations but does not conduct full structural code inspections (framing, foundation, mechanical, plumbing) on residential structures in unincorporated areas. Commercial and public structures are subject to Nebraska State Fire Marshal review regardless.

Permit validity

Valid for one year from issuance. Work must begin within one year or the permit expires. Extensions may be granted in writing by the Zoning Administrator.

Contractor requirements

All contractors performing work on real property in Nebraska must register with the Department of Labor annually ($25 fee) and provide proof of workers compensation insurance. NSED electrical contractors must hold a valid license from the Nebraska State Electrical Division.

Source: Cuming County Planning, Zoning, and Floodplain Administration ↗

1. 01
   Confirm the property's zoning district using the GIS map at cuming.gisworkshop.com or by calling 402-372-6008.
2. 02
   Determine the applicable permit type (Non-Ag, Ag Structure, Grain Bin, Livestock Feeding Operation, Conditional Use, or Floodplain).
3. 03
   Download or pick up the correct application form from cumingcountyne.gov/forms/ or the county office.
4. 04
   Complete the application and prepare a site plan showing lot dimensions, existing and proposed structures, water/sewer facilities, and proposed land use. All dimensions must be based on an actual survey.
5. 05
   Stake the lot and building location on the ground before submitting.
6. 06
   Submit the completed application and site plan in person at 200 S Lincoln Street, Rm 202, or by mail.
7. 07
   Pay required fees at time of submission (contact office for current fee schedule).
8. 08
   The Zoning Administrator will issue a written permit or denial within 15 days of accepting a complete application.
9. 09
   Conditional Use and Livestock Feeding Operation permits require Planning Commission review and a public hearing (extended processing time).
10. 10
    Permit is valid for one year from issuance. Work must begin within one year or the permit expires.

Typical processing time: 15 days for standard non-complex permits; longer for Conditional Use, Livestock Feeding Operation, and Lot Split applications.

Source: Cuming County Planning, Zoning, and Floodplain Administration ↗

Contact the Zoning Administrator at 402-372-6008 or zoning@cumingcounty.ne.gov for the current fee schedule before submitting any application. Known notes: Agricultural structure permits may be issued at no charge or minimal cost (agricultural exemption applies to qualifying farms); non-agricultural structure permits carry a fee; conditional use, variance, lot split, and floodplain permits have separate fees.

• (402) 372-6008 (phone)
• zoning@cumingcounty.ne.gov (email)
• 200 S Lincoln Street, Room 202, West Point, NE 68788 (in-person)

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical sequence: Cuming County's zoning permit system does not include a full structural inspection regime. The Zoning Administrator may conduct site visits to verify zoning compliance (setbacks, structure location, land use) but does not routinely perform foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical inspections on residential construction. For electrical work, NSED District 5 Inspector John Faltys has statewide jurisdiction; contact 402-471-3550. For septic systems, a licensed installer performs the work and the system must be registered with NDEE within 45 days. For floodplain compliance, the Zoning Administrator reviews elevation certificates and floodproofing standards.

Source: Cuming County Planning, Zoning, and Floodplain Administration ↗