Harlan County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Harlan County, outside the 1-mile zoning jurisdiction of incorporated cities and villages.

Department

Harlan County Planning and Zoning Division

Address

Harlan County Clerk's Office, Alma, NE

Phone

(308) 928-2173

Website

https://www.harlancounty.ne.gov

Application Process

1. Contact the Harlan County Clerk's office at (308) 928-2173 or the County Zoning Administrator to obtain a Zoning Application form.
2. Complete the Zoning Application form with all required information.
3. Prepare a plot plan showing location and ground area of all present and proposed structures, bulk of all additions and/or site improvements, actual dimensions, and property lines and building lines of the proposed structure.
4. Submit the completed application and plot plan to the Harlan County Clerk's office in person.
5. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for compliance with county zoning regulations.
6. If the proposed construction complies with zoning regulations, the building permit will be issued.
7. County building inspector performs inspections during construction and a final inspection prior to occupancy.

Typical processing time: Processing timeline varies; contact the County Clerk's office for current estimates.

Source: Harlan County Planning and Zoning Division

General Requirements

A building permit (Zoning Application) is required before any building or structure is erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered in unincorporated Harlan County.

Required Documents

• Completed Zoning Application form
• Plot plan with specific dimensional and property line information
• Location and ground area of all present and proposed structures
• Bulk of all additions and/or site improvements
• Actual dimensions of proposed structure
• Property lines and building lines of proposed structure

Permit validity

Permit validity period not published online; contact County Clerk's office for specific details.

Building code

County adopts the Nebraska Energy Code; building standards are based on the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2018 International Building Code (IBC).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Agricultural buildings on 20+ acres with $1,000+ annual farm product production (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03)

Important: Agricultural exemption has specific requirements. Confirm eligibility with the County Zoning Administrator before proceeding. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (308) 928-2173 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Contact Harlan County Clerk's office for inspection scheduling procedures.

Inspection hours

Contact county offices for business hours.

Typical inspection sequence: County building inspector performs compliance inspections during construction and a final inspection prior to occupancy to verify code compliance and adherence to approved plans.

Additional Resources

• Building code: County adopts the Nebraska Energy Code; building standards are based on the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2018 International Building Code (IBC).
• Nebraska DHHS/DWEE Onsite Wastewater Program
• Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy - Stormwater Permitting
• Nebraska State Electrical Division
• Nebraska Department of Labor - Contractor Registration
• DWEE Floodplain Management
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Harlan County Lake
• License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Harlan County Building Permit FAQ

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

A building permit (Zoning Application) is required before any building or structure is erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered in unincorporated Harlan County.

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

1. Contact the Harlan County Clerk's office at (308) 928-2173 or the County Zoning Administrator to obtain a Zoning Application form. 2. Complete the Zoning Application form with all required information. 3. Prepare a plot plan showing location and ground area of all present and proposed structures, bulk of all additions and/or site improvements, actual dimensions, and property lines and building lines of the proposed structure. 4. Submit the completed application and plot plan to the Harlan County Clerk's office in person. 5. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for compliance with county zoning regulations. 6. If the proposed construction complies with zoning regulations, the building permit will be issued. 7. County building inspector performs inspections during construction and a final inspection prior to occupancy.

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

Typical processing time is Processing timeline varies; contact the County Clerk's office for current estimates..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on 20+ acres with $1,000+ annual farm product production (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). Note: Agricultural exemption has specific requirements. Confirm eligibility with the County Zoning Administrator before proceeding. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (308) 928-2173. Contact Harlan County Clerk's office for inspection scheduling procedures..