County Building Permits

Kearney County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Nebraska Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Covers all unincorporated land in Kearney County outside the corporate limits of the City of Minden and the incorporated villages. Also covers the Villages of Norman and Heartwell by agreement — both villages rely on the county for zoning and building permit administration. The City of Minden, Village of Axtell, Village of Wilcox, and unincorporated community of Lowell have their own jurisdictions and do not fall under county planning authority within their corporate limits.

Department
Kearney County Planning and Zoning Department
Address
PO Box 144, Minden, NE 68959
Phone
(308) 830-0589
Website
https://kearneycounty.ne.gov/webpages/planning_zoning/planning_zoning.html

Application Process

  1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Kearney County and outside the corporate limits of Minden, Axtell, or other incorporated villages. If your property is in Norman or Heartwell, you still apply to the Kearney County Planning and Zoning Department.
  2. Contact the Planning and Zoning office at (308) 830-0589 to confirm zoning district and any special requirements. Office hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday.
  3. Download the editable PDF Zoning Permit application from https://kearneycounty.ne.gov/pdfs/planning_zoning/zoning_permit.pdf or pick up in person.
  4. Complete the application form with: property legal description, site address, parcel owner information, type of structure, dimensions, estimated cost, and contractor information.
  5. Prepare a site plan showing the proposed structure location, setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way, and relationship to existing structures.
  6. Submit the completed application and site plan in person at the Planning and Zoning office (PO Box 144, Minden) or by mail.
  7. County staff reviews for compliance with the Kearney County, Norman & Heartwell Zoning Regulations (amended April 2017). Processing time is not publicly stated; contact the office for current estimates.
  8. Upon approval, a Zoning Permit is issued. No structural code plan review or structural inspections are performed by county staff.
  9. For any construction that will disturb one or more acres, obtain a Nebraska NDEE Construction Stormwater General Permit (NOI) before breaking ground.
  10. If the project includes onsite wastewater (septic), coordinate with NDEE or the Two Rivers Public Health Department at (308) 233-3100.
  11. For driveway or utility work intersecting a county road, obtain a separate permit from the Kearney County Department of Roads at (308) 832-2854.
  12. For any electrical work, contact the Nebraska State Electrical Division District 9 at (402) 460-0260 or https://electrical.nebraska.gov/

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact (308) 830-0589 for current estimates.

Source: Kearney County Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

A Zoning Permit is required for the construction, placement, or substantial alteration of any building or structure in unincorporated Kearney County subject to the county zoning regulations. Important: Buildings used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year are exempt from county building permit requirements under Nebraska law (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). This exemption is widely applicable in Kearney County given its agricultural character.

Required Documents

  • Completed Zoning Permit application
  • Site plan showing structure footprint, dimensions, and setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way
  • Property legal description
  • Contractor information (if applicable)
Permit validity
Not publicly specified; contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 830-0589.
Building code
Kearney County does not operate an active structural building code enforcement program. The county issues zoning permits that address land use and setback compliance only; no county building inspector reviews structural plans or conducts structural inspections. The Nebraska state building code (2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code, adopted under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6403) applies by default. Practical enforcement for residential and agricultural projects in unincorporated Kearney County is limited, and structural code compliance is the responsibility of the property owner.
Owner-builder
No county structural building code enforcement program is identified. Owner-builders must comply with zoning setbacks and applicable state regulations (electrical, septic, stormwater). The Nebraska state building code applies by default.
Contractor requirements
No county-level contractor registration identified beyond state requirements. All contractors with Nebraska employees must register annually with the Nebraska Department of Labor and provide a workers' compensation certificate ($25/year; see https://dol.nebraska.gov/conreg).

Fees

Payment note
Contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 830-0589 or County Clerk at (308) 832-2719 for payment methods and current fee amounts.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Buildings used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03)

Important: The agricultural building exemption is broad and frequently claimed in Kearney County. However, the exemption is only valid if the property genuinely meets both the 20-acre threshold and the $1,000 farm product threshold. Maintain documentation supporting your exemption claim. For other potential exemptions or edge cases, contact the Kearney County Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 830-0589.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (308) 830-0589 (phone)
Inspection hours
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday

Typical inspection sequence: County structural inspections are not performed. The county issues zoning permits addressing land use and placement compliance only. All electrical work is inspected by Nebraska State Electrical Division District 9 (Billy Stevens, (402) 460-0260). For floodplain development permits and inspection coordination, contact the Floodplain Administrator through the Planning and Zoning office at (308) 830-0589.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Kearney County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kearney County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Kearney County, NE?
A Zoning Permit is required for the construction, placement, or substantial alteration of any building or structure in unincorporated Kearney County subject to the county zoning regulations. Important: Buildings used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year are exempt from county building permit requirements under Nebraska law (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). This exemption is widely applicable in Kearney County given its agricultural character.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kearney County, NE?
1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Kearney County and outside the corporate limits of Minden, Axtell, or other incorporated villages. If your property is in Norman or Heartwell, you still apply to the Kearney County Planning and Zoning Department. 2. Contact the Planning and Zoning office at (308) 830-0589 to confirm zoning district and any special requirements. Office hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday. 3. Download the editable PDF Zoning Permit application from https://kearneycounty.ne.gov/pdfs/planning_zoning/zoning_permit.pdf or pick up in person. 4. Complete the application form with: property legal description, site address, parcel owner information, type of structure, dimensions, estimated cost, and contractor information. 5. Prepare a site plan showing the proposed structure location, setbacks from property lines and road rights-of-way, and relationship to existing structures. 6. Submit the completed application and site plan in person at the Planning and Zoning office (PO Box 144, Minden) or by mail. 7. County staff reviews for compliance with the Kearney County, Norman & Heartwell Zoning Regulations (amended April 2017). Processing time is not publicly stated; contact the office for current estimates. 8. Upon approval, a Zoning Permit is issued. No structural code plan review or structural inspections are performed by county staff. 9. For any construction that will disturb one or more acres, obtain a Nebraska NDEE Construction Stormwater General Permit (NOI) before breaking ground. 10. If the project includes onsite wastewater (septic), coordinate with NDEE or the Two Rivers Public Health Department at (308) 233-3100. 11. For driveway or utility work intersecting a county road, obtain a separate permit from the Kearney County Department of Roads at (308) 832-2854. 12. For any electrical work, contact the Nebraska State Electrical Division District 9 at (402) 460-0260 or https://electrical.nebraska.gov/
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Kearney County, NE?
Typical processing time is Not publicly stated; contact (308) 830-0589 for current estimates..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Kearney County, NE?
The following work is generally exempt: Buildings used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). Note: The agricultural building exemption is broad and frequently claimed in Kearney County. However, the exemption is only valid if the property genuinely meets both the 20-acre threshold and the $1,000 farm product threshold. Maintain documentation supporting your exemption claim. For other potential exemptions or edge cases, contact the Kearney County Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 830-0589.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kearney County, NE?
Inspections can be scheduled via: (308) 830-0589.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Kearney County 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 Kearney County permit guides