Richardson County, NE — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

Richardson County Board of Commissioners

Street address

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

Phone

(402) 245-2812

Coverage

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

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Richardson County

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

Scope of work

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

Exempt

Iowa Tribe trust land - construction exempt from state and local regulation

Exempt

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
Exempt 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.

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.

Source: Richardson County Board of Commissioners ↗

§ 03

Application process

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

01

Confirm parcel is in unincorporated Richardson County and not in Falls City's 1-mile ETJ
02

Verify parcel is not on Iowa Tribe federal trust land
03

Check FEMA flood zone status at msc.fema.gov or DWEE interactive map
04

If in FEMA SFHA: obtain Floodplain Development Permit from floodplain administrator
05

If septic system involved: register with NDEE via One Stop License Portal
06

If electrical work involved: obtain NSED permit via electrical.nebraska.gov
07

If 1+ acres land disturbance: file Stormwater Notice of Intent with NDEE
08

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 ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Typical 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).

Source: Richardson County Board of Commissioners ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Richardson County permits

01 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.

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

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Richardson County, NE, follow these steps: 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)

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Richardson County, NE typically run State agency permits vary: NSED electrical processed quickly; NDEE septic 1-2 weeks; Stormwater NOI 10-14 business days. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

last verified April 2026 source Richardson County Board of Commissioners ↗ entry id permits/nebraska/richardson/richardson-county

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Richardson County Board of Commissioners before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.