County Building Permits
Madison County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Zoning permits and land use regulations for Madison County unincorporated areas
- Department
- Madison/Pierce County Joint Planning Department
- Address
- 1112 Bonita Dr., Norfolk, NE 68701
- Phone
- 402-370-3577
Application Process
- Contact Planning Department to confirm zoning district and land use classification
- Obtain and complete appropriate zoning permit application form
- Submit in person or by mail with required documentation (legal description, site plan, setback information)
- Allow at least two weeks for processing (may require Planning Commission review for conditional uses, variances, rezonings)
- Pay fees at time of application
- Receive permit before construction begins
- File permit with Register of Deeds
Typical processing time: At least two weeks
General Requirements
All non-farm buildings in zoned areas require a zoning permit prior to construction
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Legal description of property
- Site plan or sketch showing proposed structure location
- Setback information from property lines and roads
- Intended use documentation
- Building code
- No structural building code; zoning permits only confirm land use compliance (setbacks, lot standards, use classification)
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must register with Nebraska Department of Labor
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $100.00 (residential new construction/remodel)
- Penalty (no permit)
- 5x the applicable permit fee for building without permit
- Payment note
- Fees paid at time of application to Madison County
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Farm structures on qualifying farmsteads (20+ acres, $1,000+ annual farm product value)
- County governmental entities (County, School Board, Parks and Recreation Authority, Fire Department, County Fair) are exempt from permit fees
Important: Agricultural exemption applies only to qualifying farmsteads; not available in incorporated cities
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ()
- Inspection hours
- Monday: Pierce County Courthouse; Tuesday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Planning Department may conduct site inspections to verify zoning compliance (setbacks, land use, structure location) but does not routinely perform foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical inspections on residential construction
Additional Resources
- Building code: No structural building code; zoning permits only confirm land use compliance (setbacks, lot standards, use classification)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Owner-builder rules: View rules
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal (commercial/public building review)
- Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (septic registration)
- Nebraska State Electrical Board District 7
- Nebraska Department of Labor - Contractor Registration
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- 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 Madison/Pierce County Joint Planning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, NE?
- All non-farm buildings in zoned areas require a zoning permit prior to construction
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, NE?
- The minimum permit fee is $100.00 (residential new construction/remodel).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, NE?
- 1. Contact Planning Department to confirm zoning district and land use classification 2. Obtain and complete appropriate zoning permit application form 3. Submit in person or by mail with required documentation (legal description, site plan, setback information) 4. Allow at least two weeks for processing (may require Planning Commission review for conditional uses, variances, rezonings) 5. Pay fees at time of application 6. Receive permit before construction begins 7. File permit with Register of Deeds
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, NE?
- Typical processing time is At least two weeks.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, NE?
- The following work is generally exempt: Farm structures on qualifying farmsteads (20+ acres, $1,000+ annual farm product value); County governmental entities (County, School Board, Parks and Recreation Authority, Fire Department, County Fair) are exempt from permit fees. Note: Agricultural exemption applies only to qualifying farmsteads; not available in incorporated cities
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, NE?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: .
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