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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Platte County
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.
- Exempt Farm construction for farm purposes (exempt from Nebraska state building code)
- Exempt 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.
- 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.
Source: Platte County Planning and Zoning; Platte County Floodplain Administrator (Highway Department) ↗
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm property is outside all city and village extraterritorial zoning areas using county GIS or by contacting Platte County Courthouse at (402) 563-4906
- 02 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)
- 03 Verify property is not in FEMA floodplain or floodway using FEMA Flood Map Service Center or county maps at Highway Department
- 04 If in floodplain/floodway: contact Floodplain Administrator Jane L. Cromwell at Highway Department, 2610 14th Street, Columbus, NE 68601
- 05 Obtain and complete floodplain development permit application (available at Highway Department office or county website)
- 06 Submit application with site plans, elevation certificate (if required), and description of proposed work
- 07 Floodplain Administrator reviews compliance with FEMA Title 44, CFR Part 60.3(d) requirements
- 08 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) ↗
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Final inspection by Platte County Floodplain Administrator (for floodplain permits only) (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM -- 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Floodplain inspection conducted before any floodplain development permit is closed out.
Source: Platte County Planning and Zoning; Platte County Floodplain Administrator (Highway Department) ↗
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Platte County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Platte County, NE? ▸
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Platte County, NE? ▸
03 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Platte County, NE? ▸
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Platte County, NE? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Platte County Planning and Zoning; Platte County Floodplain Administrator (Highway Department) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.