Richardson County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Richardson County. As of 2026, no county zoning ordinance, no county building code, and no county-administered building permit requirement.

Department

Richardson County Board of Commissioners

Address

Richardson County Courthouse, 1700 Stone Street, Falls City, NE 68355

Phone

(402) 245-2812

Website

https://richardsoncountyne.gov/

Application Process

1. Confirm parcel is in unincorporated Richardson County and not in Falls City's 1-mile ETJ
2. Verify parcel is not on Iowa Tribe federal trust land
3. Check FEMA flood zone status at msc.fema.gov or DWEE interactive map
4. If in FEMA SFHA: obtain Floodplain Development Permit from floodplain administrator
5. If septic system involved: register with NDEE via One Stop License Portal
6. If electrical work involved: obtain NSED permit via electrical.nebraska.gov
7. If 1+ acres land disturbance: file Stormwater Notice of Intent with NDEE
8. Obtain Nebraska contractor registration (DOL, $25/year)

Typical processing time: State agency permits vary: NSED electrical processed quickly; NDEE septic 1-2 weeks; Stormwater NOI 10-14 business days

Source: Richardson County Board of Commissioners

General Requirements

No county-level building permit required as of 2026. State permits apply by subject matter.

Building code

None. Unincorporated county has no adopted residential or commercial building code.

Owner-builder

No county restriction. State-level owner-builder rules apply: homeowner exception available for NSED electrical on single-family owner-occupied dwellings. NDEE requires certified professionals for all on-site wastewater work.

Contractor requirements

Nebraska statewide contractor registration (DOL, $25/year, workers comp required for those with employees). NSED licensing for electrical contractors. NDEE certification for on-site wastewater installers.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Agricultural building exemption (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03) - buildings on 20+ acre farmsteads producing $1,000+/year in farm products - applies when zoning is adopted
• Iowa Tribe trust land - construction exempt from state and local regulation

Important: No county-level permit system currently exists. Agricultural and tribal exemptions will apply once zoning is adopted.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: No county building inspection program. State agency inspections apply: NSED electrical (Todd Flick, District 15), NDEE septic, NDEE stormwater, Nebraska State Fire Marshal (commercial/public buildings).

Additional Resources

• Building code: None. Unincorporated county has no adopted residential or commercial building code.
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• Nebraska DWEE Floodplain Interactive Map
• FEMA Community Status Book (Nebraska)
• NDEE One Stop License Portal (Septic Registration)
• NSED Electrical Permits
• NDEE Stormwater
• Nebraska Contractor Registration
• News report on Comprehensive Plan and Zoning process (January 2026)
• License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Richardson County Building Permit FAQ

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

No county-level building permit required as of 2026. State permits apply by subject matter.

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

1. Confirm parcel is in unincorporated Richardson County and not in Falls City's 1-mile ETJ 2. Verify parcel is not on Iowa Tribe federal trust land 3. Check FEMA flood zone status at msc.fema.gov or DWEE interactive map 4. If in FEMA SFHA: obtain Floodplain Development Permit from floodplain administrator 5. If septic system involved: register with NDEE via One Stop License Portal 6. If electrical work involved: obtain NSED permit via electrical.nebraska.gov 7. If 1+ acres land disturbance: file Stormwater Notice of Intent with NDEE 8. Obtain Nebraska contractor registration (DOL, $25/year)

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Richardson County, NE?

Typical processing time is State agency permits vary: NSED electrical processed quickly; NDEE septic 1-2 weeks; Stormwater NOI 10-14 business days.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural building exemption (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03) - buildings on 20+ acre farmsteads producing $1,000+/year in farm products - applies when zoning is adopted; Iowa Tribe trust land - construction exempt from state and local regulation. Note: No county-level permit system currently exists. Agricultural and tribal exemptions will apply once zoning is adopted.