County Building Permits
Nemaha County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Nemaha County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Nemaha County; subject to Auburn's one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) for zoning and building ordinances
- Department
- Nemaha County Planning and Zoning
- Address
- Nemaha County Courthouse, 1824 N Street, Auburn, NE 68305
- Phone
- (402) 274-3008
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact Nemaha County Planning and Zoning office to confirm parcel is within county's zoned jurisdiction
- For parcels within one mile of Auburn, confirm with City of Auburn whether city permit takes precedence
- Submit completed zoning permit application with site plan, legal description, building dimensions, and setback distances
- If new onsite wastewater/septic system required, provide NDEE Title 124 compliance documentation
- If new driveway off county road required, obtain separate county road access/driveway permit from Roads Department
- For projects disturbing one or more acres, file Nebraska NDEE Construction Stormwater Notice of Intent (NER210000) at least 7 days before ground disturbance
- Once zoning permit approved, initiate permitted activity within specified timeframe or permit expires
General Requirements
Required for erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or conversion of any nonfarm building or structure within a zoned area of unincorporated Nemaha County
Required Documents
- Completed zoning permit application
- Site plan showing property dimensions, proposed building location, distances to property lines and other structures
- Parcel legal description
- Proposed building dimensions
- Setback distances from property lines and right-of-way
- For new onsite wastewater: NDEE Title 124 compliance documentation (percolation test, certified professional design, scaled layout)
- Contractor requirements
- Nebraska does not have a general contractor license. Contractors must register annually with Nebraska Department of Labor ($25/year, workers' compensation required). Electrical work requires NSED license. Plumbing work requires Nebraska State Plumbing Division license.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+ in farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03) — residential buildings, commercial structures, accessory dwellings, and other non-farm buildings on agricultural parcels are NOT exempt
Important: Agricultural exemption applies only in unincorporated county areas; does not apply within incorporated city or village limits
Inspections
How to Schedule
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Typical inspection sequence: County does not appear to conduct independent structural, framing, mechanical, or plumbing inspections. Electrical inspections performed by NSED District 15. Septic inspections by NDEE-certified professionals. Fire code inspections by Nebraska State Fire Marshal for commercial/public buildings. Zoning compliance verified by County Zoning Administrator.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) District 15
- Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) — Onsite Wastewater
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal
- Nebraska DWEE Floodplain Interactive Maps
- 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 Nemaha County Planning and Zoning before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nemaha County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Nemaha County, NE?
- Required for erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or conversion of any nonfarm building or structure within a zoned area of unincorporated Nemaha County
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Nemaha County, NE?
- 1. Contact Nemaha County Planning and Zoning office to confirm parcel is within county's zoned jurisdiction 2. For parcels within one mile of Auburn, confirm with City of Auburn whether city permit takes precedence 3. Submit completed zoning permit application with site plan, legal description, building dimensions, and setback distances 4. If new onsite wastewater/septic system required, provide NDEE Title 124 compliance documentation 5. If new driveway off county road required, obtain separate county road access/driveway permit from Roads Department 6. For projects disturbing one or more acres, file Nebraska NDEE Construction Stormwater Notice of Intent (NER210000) at least 7 days before ground disturbance 7. Once zoning permit approved, initiate permitted activity within specified timeframe or permit expires
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Nemaha County, NE?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+ in farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03) — residential buildings, commercial structures, accessory dwellings, and other non-farm buildings on agricultural parcels are NOT exempt. Note: Agricultural exemption applies only in unincorporated county areas; does not apply within incorporated city or village limits
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Nemaha County, NE?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: .
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