Saline County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Saline County only. Properties within the corporate limits of any city or village are not governed by this office. Properties within the two-mile ETJ of Crete are subject to Crete's authority. Properties within the one-mile ETJ of Wilber, Friend, and other second class cities/villages are subject to those municipalities' authority.

Department

Saline County Planning and Zoning (Zoning Administrator)

Address

Saline County Courthouse, 215 South Court Street, Wilber, NE 68465

Phone

402-821-3326

Email

lweber@salinecountyne.gov

Website

https://salinecountyne.gov/planning-and-zoning/

Application Process

1. Confirm parcel is in unincorporated Saline County using county GIS at https://saline.gworks.com/ or call Zoning Administrator at 402-821-3326; verify not within Crete's two-mile ETJ or other municipalities' ETJs
2. Review Saline County Zoning Regulations to identify zoning district and permitted uses, setbacks, and lot coverage limits
3. Review Saline County Comprehensive Plan 2028 for growth management policies that may affect project review
4. Contact Zoning Administrator at 402-821-3326 or lweber@salinecountyne.gov to discuss project type and confirm which permits, variances, or conditional use permits are required
5. Obtain Zoning Permit Application form from county website or in person at Courthouse
6. Complete application with legal description, description of proposed use, site plan showing property lines, structure location, and setbacks, and contractor information
7. For lots without municipal sewer, confirm no encroachment on existing septic system; obtain separate NDEE on-site wastewater registration if needed
8. For projects disturbing one or more acres, prepare and file NDEE Construction Stormwater NOI/SWPPP at least seven days before commencing grading
9. Submit completed application with two copies of plans, drawn to scale, and fee payment to Zoning Administrator's office
10. Zoning Administrator reviews and issues written decision; allow additional weeks if conditional use permit or variance required (Planning and Zoning Board hearing, then County Board approval)
11. Upon approval, confirm permit expiration terms with Zoning Administrator
12. For development in FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, obtain separate floodplain development permit from county's floodplain administrator
13. Schedule zoning compliance inspections with Zoning Administrator
14. For commercial or public-use buildings, submit plans concurrently to Nebraska State Fire Marshal at https://sfm.nebraska.gov/

Source: Saline County Planning and Zoning (Zoning Administrator)

General Requirements

A zoning permit is required before commencing any construction, reconstruction, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any building or structure, and before any change of use of land or buildings in all zoning districts. This includes new residential dwellings, garages, accessory structures, commercial buildings, manufactured/mobile home placements, and significant site grading or filling.

Required Documents

• Completed Zoning Permit Application (signed by property owner)
• Legal description of parcel (from deed or title search)
• Site plan drawn to scale showing: property lines with dimensions, all existing structures, proposed structure footprint and dimensions, setbacks from all property lines and road rights-of-way, location of any private well, septic system and drain field, driveway access, and any watercourse or drainage feature
• Description of structure type, dimensions, construction materials, and intended use
• If septic system is new or modified: copy of NDEE registration or permit application
• If in a FEMA flood zone: floodplain development permit application and FIRM map panel reference

Owner-builder

County zoning permits do not require a licensed general contractor. The property owner may pull a permit for work on their own property. Trade work (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas) is subject to separate state and local licensing and permit requirements.

Contractor requirements

All contractors performing construction work in Nebraska must register annually with the Nebraska Department of Labor under the Contractor Registration Act ($25/year; workers' compensation certificate required for contractors with employees). County may require contractor registration documentation at permit submittal.

Fees

Payment note

Likely check or cash payable to Saline County; confirm with Zoning Administrator before arriving at Courthouse

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Buildings used solely for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). Pure agricultural structures (barns, grain bins, machine sheds, hog confinement facilities, poultry barns) used in active farming operations on qualifying farmsteads do not require a county zoning permit. All other structures—including residences, commercial buildings, hobby farm structures, and non-farm accessory buildings—require a permit. Consult Zoning Administrator on whether a specific structure qualifies; exemption is narrowly construed.

Important: Agricultural exemption is a common source of compliance risk. Advise clients to obtain written determination from Zoning Administrator before relying on this exemption and document agricultural use for the file.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Typical inspection sequence: The Saline County Zoning Administrator or designee conducts zoning compliance inspections. Nebraska has no mandatory statewide residential building inspection program for unincorporated areas; code compliance inspections are limited to what the county's zoning resolution specifically requires. Most rural Nebraska county zoning programs focus on use compliance and siting compliance (are setbacks met?) rather than prescriptive code inspections.

Additional Resources

• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Planning and Zoning Board Page
• Saline County Website
• Nebraska Contractor Registration Act
• NDEE On-Site Wastewater (Septic) Program
• NDEE Construction Stormwater Program
• Nebraska Floodplain Management Interactive Map
• Nebraska State Electrical Division
• Nebraska State Fire Marshal
• License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Saline County Building Permit FAQ

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

A zoning permit is required before commencing any construction, reconstruction, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any building or structure, and before any change of use of land or buildings in all zoning districts. This includes new residential dwellings, garages, accessory structures, commercial buildings, manufactured/mobile home placements, and significant site grading or filling.

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

1. Confirm parcel is in unincorporated Saline County using county GIS at https://saline.gworks.com/ or call Zoning Administrator at 402-821-3326; verify not within Crete's two-mile ETJ or other municipalities' ETJs 2. Review Saline County Zoning Regulations to identify zoning district and permitted uses, setbacks, and lot coverage limits 3. Review Saline County Comprehensive Plan 2028 for growth management policies that may affect project review 4. Contact Zoning Administrator at 402-821-3326 or lweber@salinecountyne.gov to discuss project type and confirm which permits, variances, or conditional use permits are required 5. Obtain Zoning Permit Application form from county website or in person at Courthouse 6. Complete application with legal description, description of proposed use, site plan showing property lines, structure location, and setbacks, and contractor information 7. For lots without municipal sewer, confirm no encroachment on existing septic system; obtain separate NDEE on-site wastewater registration if needed 8. For projects disturbing one or more acres, prepare and file NDEE Construction Stormwater NOI/SWPPP at least seven days before commencing grading 9. Submit completed application with two copies of plans, drawn to scale, and fee payment to Zoning Administrator's office 10. Zoning Administrator reviews and issues written decision; allow additional weeks if conditional use permit or variance required (Planning and Zoning Board hearing, then County Board approval) 11. Upon approval, confirm permit expiration terms with Zoning Administrator 12. For development in FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, obtain separate floodplain development permit from county's floodplain administrator 13. Schedule zoning compliance inspections with Zoning Administrator 14. For commercial or public-use buildings, submit plans concurrently to Nebraska State Fire Marshal at https://sfm.nebraska.gov/

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

The following work is generally exempt: Buildings used solely for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more of farm products per year (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03). Pure agricultural structures (barns, grain bins, machine sheds, hog confinement facilities, poultry barns) used in active farming operations on qualifying farmsteads do not require a county zoning permit. All other structures—including residences, commercial buildings, hobby farm structures, and non-farm accessory buildings—require a permit. Consult Zoning Administrator on whether a specific structure qualifies; exemption is narrowly construed.. Note: Agricultural exemption is a common source of compliance risk. Advise clients to obtain written determination from Zoning Administrator before relying on this exemption and document agricultural use for the file.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: .