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

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural building exemption: Structures used for agricultural purposes on farmsteads of 20 or more acres that produce $1,000 or more of farm products per year are exempt from county permit requirements under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03. Documentation of acreage and farm production must be maintained to support the exemption.. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from setback requirements, floodplain regulations, electrical permits, or stormwater requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department, (308) 268-5088.

County Building Permits

Furnas County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Furnas County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Nebraska Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Furnas County, Nebraska. For properties within incorporated cities or villages, contact the respective municipality.

Department: Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department
Address: 912 R Street, Beaver City, NE 68926
Phone: (308) 268-5088
Website: https://furnascounty.ne.gov/planning-and-zoning/

Application Process

Contact the Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 268-5088 to verify the zoning district classification for your parcel and confirm the proposed use is permitted, conditional, or prohibited.
Obtain the Zoning Permit application from the Planning and Zoning Department or download it from the county website.
Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan showing structure location and dimensions, setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way, and the parcel's legal description.
Submit the completed application with the applicable fee to the Planning and Zoning Department.
The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for compliance with the Furnas County Zoning Regulations.
For conditional uses, submit a Conditional Use Permit application, processed through the Furnas County Planning Commission with a public hearing.
For variances, submit an application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
For any construction disturbing one or more acres, obtain an NDEE Construction Stormwater General Permit (Notice of Intent) before breaking ground.
For onsite wastewater (septic) systems, contact NDEE or the county for applicable requirements.
Obtain Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) electrical permit for any electrical work — contact Gary Lofton, (308) 325-2219, gary.lofton@nebraska.gov.
For commercial or public-assembly projects, submit plans to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal (NSFM) for fire/life safety review at https://sfm.nebraska.gov/.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department for current estimates.

Source: Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

A zoning permit is required for development in unincorporated Furnas County. Nebraska does not mandate statewide residential building code enforcement in rural unincorporated areas, but the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) apply by state default under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6403.

Required Documents

Completed Zoning Permit application
Site plan showing structure location, dimensions, and setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way
Parcel's legal description
Property deed or proof of ownership (for verification)
For conditional uses: Conditional Use Permit application
For variances: Application to Board of Zoning Adjustment

Permit validity: Contact the Planning and Zoning Department for permit validity and expiration rules.
Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) by state default; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) mandatory statewide effective July 1, 2020.
Contractor requirements: All contractors and subcontractors with Nebraska employees must register annually with the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) for $25 annually (workers' compensation certificate required). No state general contractor license exists in Nebraska.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department, (308) 268-5088 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Furnas County does not operate a full structural building code enforcement program for unincorporated areas. Zoning compliance is verified at the permit stage. Electrical inspections are conducted by the Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED). Fire/life safety inspections for commercial projects are conducted by the Nebraska State Fire Marshal (NSFM).

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) by state default; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) mandatory statewide effective July 1, 2020.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Nebraska State Fire Marshal (NSFM)
Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) — Permit Applications
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) — Stormwater & Septic
NDEE Onsite Wastewater Program
Nebraska Department of Labor — Contractor Registration
DWEE Floodplain Management — Republican River Floodplain Maps
DWEE Floodplain Interactive Maps
Furnas County Courthouse (General Info)
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 Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Furnas County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Furnas County, NE?: A zoning permit is required for development in unincorporated Furnas County. Nebraska does not mandate statewide residential building code enforcement in rural unincorporated areas, but the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) apply by state default under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6403.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Furnas County, NE?: 1. Contact the Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 268-5088 to verify the zoning district classification for your parcel and confirm the proposed use is permitted, conditional, or prohibited. 2. Obtain the Zoning Permit application from the Planning and Zoning Department or download it from the county website. 3. Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan showing structure location and dimensions, setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way, and the parcel's legal description. 4. Submit the completed application with the applicable fee to the Planning and Zoning Department. 5. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for compliance with the Furnas County Zoning Regulations. 6. For conditional uses, submit a Conditional Use Permit application, processed through the Furnas County Planning Commission with a public hearing. 7. For variances, submit an application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment. 8. For any construction disturbing one or more acres, obtain an NDEE Construction Stormwater General Permit (Notice of Intent) before breaking ground. 9. For onsite wastewater (septic) systems, contact NDEE or the county for applicable requirements. 10. Obtain Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) electrical permit for any electrical work — contact Gary Lofton, (308) 325-2219, gary.lofton@nebraska.gov. 11. For commercial or public-assembly projects, submit plans to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal (NSFM) for fire/life safety review at https://sfm.nebraska.gov/.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Furnas County, NE?: Typical processing time is Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department for current estimates..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Furnas County, NE?: The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural building exemption: Structures used for agricultural purposes on farmsteads of 20 or more acres that produce $1,000 or more of farm products per year are exempt from county permit requirements under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03. Documentation of acreage and farm production must be maintained to support the exemption.. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from setback requirements, floodplain regulations, electrical permits, or stormwater requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Furnas County, NE?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Furnas County Planning and Zoning Department, (308) 268-5088.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Furnas County (Unincorporated Area) can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

Important: 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.

← Back to Furnas County permit guides