County Building Permits
Johnson County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Nebraska Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Johnson County only. Properties within incorporated cities (Tecumseh) or villages (Sterling, Cook, Crab Orchard, Elk Creek) or their half-mile extraterritorial jurisdictions are subject to municipal rather than county permits.
- Department
- Johnson County Zoning Administrator
- Address
- 1369 Eastridge Drive, Tecumseh, NE 68450
- Phone
- (402) 335-7065
Application Process
- Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Johnson County using the county GIS map at johnson.gworks.com or by contacting the Zoning Administrator.
- Obtain the current Application for Permitted Use Zoning Permit from the Zoning Administrator.
- Prepare supporting documents: site plan with structure footprint and dimensions, setback distances from property lines and road rights-of-way, parcel legal description, and owner/contractor information.
- If the proposed use is not permitted by right in the applicable zoning district, obtain an Application for a Special Use Permit and submit concurrently.
- If a zone change is required, complete the Application for a Change of Zoning and Justification Form.
- For any new driveway or access onto a county road, contact the Johnson County Highway Department to obtain a separate county road access permit.
- For commercial or public assembly projects, simultaneously submit plans to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal at sfm.nebraska.gov/plans-submittal.
- For projects disturbing one or more acres, file an NDEE Construction Stormwater Notice of Intent (NOI) under General Permit NER210000 at least seven days before ground disturbance.
- For electrical work, obtain an NSED permit (District 11, Daniel Lovercheck, 402-499-5842) at electrical.nebraska.gov.
- After construction is complete, contact the Zoning Administrator to confirm any required compliance inspection or zoning sign-off.
Typical processing time: Contact Zoning Administrator for estimated timeframe; no specific processing time published.
General Requirements
A zoning permit is required prior to the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or conversion of any nonfarm building or structure within unincorporated Johnson County's zoned areas. Contact the Zoning Administrator to confirm whether your specific parcel is within a zoned area.
Required Documents
- Application for Permitted Use Zoning Permit
- Site plan with structure footprint and dimensions
- Setback distances from property lines and road rights-of-way
- Parcel legal description
- Owner and contractor information
- Permit validity
- Contact Zoning Administrator for permit validity and expiration rules.
- Building code
- Johnson County does not independently enforce a structural building code in unincorporated areas. Nebraska's 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) apply by default under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6403, but practical structural code enforcement is limited in unincorporated Johnson County.
- Owner-builder
- Nebraska does not restrict owner-builder projects. Confirm with Zoning Administrator for any local requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- Nebraska does not license general contractors at the state level. Contractors may be required to register annually with the Nebraska Department of Labor ($25/year, current workers' compensation certificate required). Electrical contractors must hold an NSED license.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20 or more acres producing $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03) — exemption covers agricultural buildings only, not residences, accessory dwellings, or commercial structures
Important: The agricultural exemption does not override electrical, septic, stormwater, or floodplain development permit requirements. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Contact the Zoning Administrator before proceeding with any potentially exempt work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Zoning Administrator: (402) 335-7065 (phone)
- NSED District 11 (Electrical): (402) 499-5842 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact Zoning Administrator for scheduling requirements.
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM (County Courthouse hours)
Typical inspection sequence: Johnson County does not conduct independent structural, framing, mechanical, or plumbing inspections in unincorporated areas. Applicable inspections include: Electrical (NSED District 11), Septic/Onsite Wastewater (NDEE-certified professional), Fire (Nebraska State Fire Marshal for commercial/public projects), and Zoning Compliance (Zoning Administrator site visit).
Additional Resources
- Building code: Johnson County does not independently enforce a structural building code in unincorporated areas. Nebraska's 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) apply by default under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6403, but practical structural code enforcement is limited in unincorporated Johnson County.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County Assessor / GIS Parcel Maps
- County Clerk (permit inquiries)
- Highway Department (road access permits)
- Nebraska Electrical Division (NSED) District 11
- NDEE Onsite Wastewater Program
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal (commercial/public projects)
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Nebraska DWEE Floodplain Interactive Maps
- Nemaha Natural Resources District
- Johnson County Historic Preservation Survey
- Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office (NeSHPO)
- 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 Johnson County Zoning Administrator before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Johnson County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, NE?
- A zoning permit is required prior to the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or conversion of any nonfarm building or structure within unincorporated Johnson County's zoned areas. Contact the Zoning Administrator to confirm whether your specific parcel is within a zoned area.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, NE?
- 1. Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Johnson County using the county GIS map at johnson.gworks.com or by contacting the Zoning Administrator. 2. Obtain the current Application for Permitted Use Zoning Permit from the Zoning Administrator. 3. Prepare supporting documents: site plan with structure footprint and dimensions, setback distances from property lines and road rights-of-way, parcel legal description, and owner/contractor information. 4. If the proposed use is not permitted by right in the applicable zoning district, obtain an Application for a Special Use Permit and submit concurrently. 5. If a zone change is required, complete the Application for a Change of Zoning and Justification Form. 6. For any new driveway or access onto a county road, contact the Johnson County Highway Department to obtain a separate county road access permit. 7. For commercial or public assembly projects, simultaneously submit plans to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal at sfm.nebraska.gov/plans-submittal. 8. For projects disturbing one or more acres, file an NDEE Construction Stormwater Notice of Intent (NOI) under General Permit NER210000 at least seven days before ground disturbance. 9. For electrical work, obtain an NSED permit (District 11, Daniel Lovercheck, 402-499-5842) at electrical.nebraska.gov. 10. After construction is complete, contact the Zoning Administrator to confirm any required compliance inspection or zoning sign-off.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, NE?
- Typical processing time is Contact Zoning Administrator for estimated timeframe; no specific processing time published..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Johnson County, NE?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20 or more acres producing $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03) — exemption covers agricultural buildings only, not residences, accessory dwellings, or commercial structures. Note: The agricultural exemption does not override electrical, septic, stormwater, or floodplain development permit requirements. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Contact the Zoning Administrator before proceeding with any potentially exempt work.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, NE?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Zoning Administrator: (402) 335-7065, NSED District 11 (Electrical): (402) 499-5842. Contact Zoning Administrator for scheduling requirements..
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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.