County Building Permits
Sarpy County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sarpy County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Covers all unincorporated areas of Sarpy County that fall outside the municipal limits and extraterritorial jurisdictions of Bellevue, Gretna, La Vista, Papillion, and Springfield. Includes floodplain and grading review for growth-corridor parcels.
- Department
- Sarpy County Planning and Building Department
- Address
- 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Papillion, NE 68046
- Phone
- 402-593-1555
- planning@sarpy.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: SmartGov (by Granicus) • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Use the county jurisdiction finder map to confirm the property is in unincorporated Sarpy County.
- Gather required documents (see General Requirements below).
- For grading permits, submit technical exhibits to omahapermix.com and obtain a Permix reference number.
- For floodplain development permits, complete the FEMA Elevation Certificate (2023 edition) and the Flood Plain Development Permit Application forms before proceeding.
- Create or log in to a SmartGov account at co-sarpy-ne.smartgovcommunity.com.
- Submit the application online, upload supporting documents, and pay fees through the portal.
- Department reviews plans; applicant is notified via portal and email.
- Permit is issued once review is complete; permit card must be posted on site.
- Request required inspections through the SmartGov portal at each construction stage.
- Receive final inspection and certificate of occupancy upon completion.
Typical processing time: Not published; contact department at 402-593-1555
General Requirements
New dwellings; commercial buildings, additions, or alterations; accessory structures including decks, fences, detached garages, pole barns, re-roofs, sheds, siding, and swimming pools; finished basements and interior remodeling (painting and flooring are excluded); grading that disturbs more than 1 acre; any activity in FEMA-designated floodplain zones; special permitted uses not allowed as a principal use
Required Documents
- Completed online application
- Site/plot plan showing property lines, structure locations, and setbacks
- Construction plans and specifications
- For floodplain work: FEMA Elevation Certificate (2023 edition) and Flood Plain Development Permit Application
- For grading: Permix reference number from omahapermix.com
- Permit validity
- Permits are valid for 1 year from the date issued; construction must begin within the first 6 months
- Building code
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2009 ANSI A117.1 Accessibility Standard (all adopted effective June 4, 2024 per Resolution 2024-150); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) adopted effective August 1, 2024 per Resolution 2024-210
- Owner-builder
- Not separately published; contact department
- Contractor requirements
- Not separately published on county site; contact department at planning@sarpy.gov
Fees
- Plan check fee
- Not separately published; included in Master Fee Schedule
- Permit fee formula
- Fees calculated based on project scope; consult Master Fee Schedule for specific formulas
- Reinspection fee
- Not separately published; contact department
- Payment note
- Online payment available through SmartGov portal; in-person payment at department office
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Structures 79 square feet or smaller (per code Section 105.2 / R105.2)
- Fences not over 6 feet in height
- Interior painting and flooring in existing residential structures
- Minor repairs that do not involve structural changes, new wiring, or plumbing alterations
Important: The county's FAQ lists accessory structures (decks, fences, sheds, etc.) as requiring permits, so thresholds apply; confirm specific work type with department at 402-593-1555
Inspections
How to Schedule
- SmartGov portal (online)
- 402-593-1555 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Footing/foundation inspection; framing inspection; rough-in inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical); insulation; final inspection
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2009 ANSI A117.1 Accessibility Standard (all adopted effective June 4, 2024 per Resolution 2024-150); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) adopted effective August 1, 2024 per Resolution 2024-210
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Jurisdiction Finder Map
- Engineering and Permits
- Board of Adjustment
- Planning Commission
- License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Sarpy County Planning and Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sarpy County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Sarpy County, NE?
- New dwellings; commercial buildings, additions, or alterations; accessory structures including decks, fences, detached garages, pole barns, re-roofs, sheds, siding, and swimming pools; finished basements and interior remodeling (painting and flooring are excluded); grading that disturbs more than 1 acre; any activity in FEMA-designated floodplain zones; special permitted uses not allowed as a principal use
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Sarpy County, NE?
- Fees are calculated as: Fees calculated based on project scope; consult Master Fee Schedule for specific formulas. Plan check fee: Not separately published; included in Master Fee Schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sarpy County, NE?
- 1. Use the county jurisdiction finder map to confirm the property is in unincorporated Sarpy County. 2. Gather required documents (see General Requirements below). 3. For grading permits, submit technical exhibits to omahapermix.com and obtain a Permix reference number. 4. For floodplain development permits, complete the FEMA Elevation Certificate (2023 edition) and the Flood Plain Development Permit Application forms before proceeding. 5. Create or log in to a SmartGov account at co-sarpy-ne.smartgovcommunity.com. 6. Submit the application online, upload supporting documents, and pay fees through the portal. 7. Department reviews plans; applicant is notified via portal and email. 8. Permit is issued once review is complete; permit card must be posted on site. 9. Request required inspections through the SmartGov portal at each construction stage. 10. Receive final inspection and certificate of occupancy upon completion.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Sarpy County, NE?
- Typical processing time is Not published; contact department at 402-593-1555.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Sarpy County, NE?
- The following work is generally exempt: Structures 79 square feet or smaller (per code Section 105.2 / R105.2); Fences not over 6 feet in height; Interior painting and flooring in existing residential structures; Minor repairs that do not involve structural changes, new wiring, or plumbing alterations. Note: The county's FAQ lists accessory structures (decks, fences, sheds, etc.) as requiring permits, so thresholds apply; confirm specific work type with department at 402-593-1555
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Sarpy County, NE?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: SmartGov portal, 402-593-1555.
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