Platte County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Platte County; no county zoning except within two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction of Columbus (first-class city) or one-mile ETJ of second-class cities/villages. No general building permit program for unincorporated residential construction outside flood zones.

Department

Platte County Planning and Zoning; Platte County Floodplain Administrator (Highway Department)

Address

2610 14th Street, Columbus, NE 68601

Phone

(402) 563-4906

Website

https://plattecounty.ne.gov/

Application Process

1. Confirm property is outside all city and village extraterritorial zoning areas using county GIS or by contacting Platte County Courthouse at (402) 563-4906
2. If outside all jurisdictions: no county building permit required for residential construction; state-level requirements still apply (NSED electrical, DWEE septic, State Fire Marshal for commercial)
3. Verify property is not in FEMA floodplain or floodway using FEMA Flood Map Service Center or county maps at Highway Department
4. If in floodplain/floodway: contact Floodplain Administrator Jane L. Cromwell at Highway Department, 2610 14th Street, Columbus, NE 68601
5. Obtain and complete floodplain development permit application (available at Highway Department office or county website)
6. Submit application with site plans, elevation certificate (if required), and description of proposed work
7. Floodplain Administrator reviews compliance with FEMA Title 44, CFR Part 60.3(d) requirements
8. If approved, permit is issued and final inspection by floodplain administrator is required

Source: Platte County Planning and Zoning; Platte County Floodplain Administrator (Highway Department)

General Requirements

County building permits required only in floodplain/floodway areas for development, fill, grading, excavation, new construction, addition, or substantial improvement within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA/100-year floodplain) or floodway. No general residential building permit for unincorporated Platte County outside flood zones.

Required Documents

• Floodplain development permit application
• Site plans
• Elevation certificate (for all new residential construction in floodplain; must be completed by licensed land surveyor or engineer)
• Description of proposed work

Building code

Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6404 applies state building code to any county that has not adopted its own code within two years of a state code update. State building code does not apply to farm construction or for farm purposes.

Owner-builder

Property owners may apply for floodplain development permits directly.

Fees

Payment note

Floodplain development permit fee not published online. Contact Platte County Highway Department at (402) 563-4906 for current fee.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Farm construction for farm purposes (exempt from Nebraska state building code)
• Residential construction outside flood zones within unincorporated Platte County (no county permit required; state-level requirements may still apply)

Important: Exemption from local county permits does not eliminate state-level requirements for electrical, septic, well, or fire marshal review.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM -- 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Floodplain inspection conducted before any floodplain development permit is closed out.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6404 applies state building code to any county that has not adopted its own code within two years of a state code update. State building code does not apply to farm construction or for farm purposes.
• License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Platte County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Platte County, NE?

County building permits required only in floodplain/floodway areas for development, fill, grading, excavation, new construction, addition, or substantial improvement within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA/100-year floodplain) or floodway. No general residential building permit for unincorporated Platte County outside flood zones.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Platte County, NE?

1. Confirm property is outside all city and village extraterritorial zoning areas using county GIS or by contacting Platte County Courthouse at (402) 563-4906 2. If outside all jurisdictions: no county building permit required for residential construction; state-level requirements still apply (NSED electrical, DWEE septic, State Fire Marshal for commercial) 3. Verify property is not in FEMA floodplain or floodway using FEMA Flood Map Service Center or county maps at Highway Department 4. If in floodplain/floodway: contact Floodplain Administrator Jane L. Cromwell at Highway Department, 2610 14th Street, Columbus, NE 68601 5. Obtain and complete floodplain development permit application (available at Highway Department office or county website) 6. Submit application with site plans, elevation certificate (if required), and description of proposed work 7. Floodplain Administrator reviews compliance with FEMA Title 44, CFR Part 60.3(d) requirements 8. If approved, permit is issued and final inspection by floodplain administrator is required

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Platte County, NE?

The following work is generally exempt: Farm construction for farm purposes (exempt from Nebraska state building code); Residential construction outside flood zones within unincorporated Platte County (no county permit required; state-level requirements may still apply). Note: Exemption from local county permits does not eliminate state-level requirements for electrical, septic, well, or fire marshal review.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Platte County, NE?

Inspections can be scheduled via: .