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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Johnson County
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.
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
- 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.
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
- 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.
- Permit validity
- Contact Zoning Administrator for permit validity and expiration rules.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Contact Zoning Administrator for estimated timeframe; no specific processing time published.
- 01 Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Johnson County using the county GIS map at johnson.gworks.com or by contacting the Zoning Administrator.
- 02 Obtain the current Application for Permitted Use Zoning Permit from the Zoning Administrator.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 If a zone change is required, complete the Application for a Change of Zoning and Justification Form.
- 06 For any new driveway or access onto a county road, contact the Johnson County Highway Department to obtain a separate county road access permit.
- 07 For commercial or public assembly projects, simultaneously submit plans to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal at sfm.nebraska.gov/plans-submittal.
- 08 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.
- 09 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.
Typical processing time: Contact Zoning Administrator for estimated timeframe; no specific processing time published.
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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).
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Johnson County permits
01 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.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, NE? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, NE, follow these steps: 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.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, NE? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Johnson County, NE typically run Contact Zoning Administrator for estimated timeframe; no specific processing time published.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Johnson County, NE? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, NE? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, NE via: Zoning Administrator: (402) 335-7065, NSED District 11 (Electrical): (402) 499-5842. Contact Zoning Administrator for scheduling requirements..
last verified April 2026
source Johnson County Zoning Administrator ↗
entry id permits/nebraska/johnson/johnson-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Johnson County Zoning Administrator before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.