Saunders County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated land in Saunders County. Larger incorporated municipalities (Wahoo, Ashland, Yutan, Mead) maintain their own permitting. Some small villages may rely on or default to the county for certain permit functions; verify with the zoning office for each specific village.

Department

Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department

Address

Saunders County Courthouse, 433 N Chestnut St, Suite 302, Wahoo, NE 68066

Phone

(402) 443-8136

Website

https://saunderscounty.ne.gov/webpages/zoning/zoning.html

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Saunders County -- not within any incorporated city or village boundary. Call (402) 443-8136 or use the county GIS at saunders.gworks.com if jurisdiction is uncertain.
2. Identify all required permits: building permit, floodplain development permit (if in or near an SFHA -- check FEMA MSC or Nebraska DNR maps first), any road access permit for new driveways onto county roads, and a septic permit from the county health department if new or modified on-site wastewater is involved.
3. If a contractor is performing the work, confirm they are registered with the county (Contractor Registration Form available on county forms page) and with the Nebraska Department of Labor (annual $25 registration at dol.nebraska.gov/conreg).
4. Download the Building Permit Application from https://saunderscounty.ne.gov/planning-and-zoning/forms-permits-and-regulations/ or obtain it in person at the courthouse.
5. Prepare required documents (see General Requirements below).
6. Submit completed application, supporting documents, and fee payment to the Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department at 433 N Chestnut St, Suite 302, Wahoo, NE 68066.
7. Staff reviews the application. Processing times are not published; contact (402) 443-8136 for current turnaround estimates.
8. Upon approval, permit is issued. Post the permit card on the job site; retain a copy throughout construction.
9. Schedule required inspections at each construction milestone. Call the zoning office to schedule.
10. For any project in a floodplain: obtain Elevation Certificates (pre-construction and post-completion) from a licensed land surveyor; submit copies to the county.
11. Request final inspection upon project completion. Certificate of Occupancy or final sign-off issued after satisfactory final inspection.

Typical processing time: Not published; contact office for current turnaround estimates

Source: Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

New residential and commercial construction; additions and structural alterations; accessory structures (garages, pole barns, sheds, decks, outbuildings); demolitions; any development -- including fill, grading, and placement of structures -- within a FEMA-designated floodplain (a floodplain development permit is required even if no building permit would otherwise be needed). Minor cosmetic repairs and maintenance activities below a defined threshold are typically exempt; confirm threshold with the zoning office.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• Site plan showing lot dimensions, all property line setbacks, and location of all proposed and existing structures
• Construction drawings (floor plan, elevations, foundation plan)
• Legal description or survey
• Contractor registration documentation (if contractor is performing work)
• Floodplain development permit materials if in or near SFHA
• Elevation Certificates (pre-construction and post-completion) for projects in floodplain

Permit validity

Standard Nebraska practice is work must commence within 180 days of permit issuance; confirm with the zoning office

Building code

County has adopted Adopted Codes and Climatic/Geographic Design Criteria document available on the county forms page. Code editions to be confirmed with county office. Likely includes IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, Nebraska State Energy Code/IECC, and NEC (administered by Nebraska State Electrical Division).

Owner-builder

Not separately published. Contact (402) 443-8136.

Contractor requirements

County requires contractor registration before permits may be pulled. The Contractor Registration Form is available on the county forms page. Contractors must also register annually with the Nebraska Department of Labor ($25/yr; workers' comp required).

Fees

Permit fee formula

Not published online. Typically structured as a flat base fee plus a valuation-based or per-square-foot component based on comparable Nebraska rural counties.

Payment note

Contact the Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department at (402) 443-8136 or in person at Suite 302, 433 N Chestnut St, Wahoo, NE 68066 to request current fee schedule before submitting applications. Floodplain development permits and conditional use permits carry separate fees.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Agricultural buildings: Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03, the county cannot require building permits for buildings used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more in farm products per year. This exemption applies to true agricultural/farm use structures; it does not apply to residential dwellings on farm properties or to buildings not directly associated with farming operations.
• Minor cosmetic repairs and maintenance activities below a defined threshold are typically exempt; confirm threshold with the zoning office.

Important: Agricultural exemption claims under § 23-114.03 should be documented carefully; the county zoning office may request confirmation of farm operation size and revenue.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Scheduling deadline

Advance notice requirements not published; confirm with office

Inspection hours

Monday--Friday, 8:00 AM--12:00 PM and 12:30 PM--4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical for rural Nebraska county: Footing/foundation before pour; framing/rough-in; insulation; plumbing rough-in (coordinated with health department for septic); final inspection prior to occupancy. Electrical inspections scheduled directly with the NSED inspector assigned to the area; not through the county office. Floodplain inspections: Elevation certificates required at pre-construction and post-completion stages for any structure in a mapped SFHA.

Additional Resources

• Building code: County has adopted Adopted Codes and Climatic/Geographic Design Criteria document available on the county forms page. Code editions to be confirmed with county office. Likely includes IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, Nebraska State Energy Code/IECC, and NEC (administered by Nebraska State Electrical Division).
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Nebraska State Electrical Division (all electrical permits and inspections statewide)
• Nebraska NDEE (septic permits, stormwater NOI for 1+ acre disturbance)
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center (FIRM panels and flood zone determination)
• Nebraska DNR Interactive Floodplain Maps
• FEMA Community Status Book (NFIP participation status)
• Saunders County GIS (for jurisdiction confirmation)
• Nebraska Department of Labor (contractor registration)
• Nebraska Department of Transportation (state highway driveway access permits)
• Nebraska State Fire Marshal (statewide jurisdiction over commercial buildings)
• License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Saunders County Building Permit FAQ

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

New residential and commercial construction; additions and structural alterations; accessory structures (garages, pole barns, sheds, decks, outbuildings); demolitions; any development -- including fill, grading, and placement of structures -- within a FEMA-designated floodplain (a floodplain development permit is required even if no building permit would otherwise be needed). Minor cosmetic repairs and maintenance activities below a defined threshold are typically exempt; confirm threshold with the zoning office.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Saunders County, NE?

Fees are calculated as: Not published online. Typically structured as a flat base fee plus a valuation-based or per-square-foot component based on comparable Nebraska rural counties..

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

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Saunders County -- not within any incorporated city or village boundary. Call (402) 443-8136 or use the county GIS at saunders.gworks.com if jurisdiction is uncertain. 2. Identify all required permits: building permit, floodplain development permit (if in or near an SFHA -- check FEMA MSC or Nebraska DNR maps first), any road access permit for new driveways onto county roads, and a septic permit from the county health department if new or modified on-site wastewater is involved. 3. If a contractor is performing the work, confirm they are registered with the county (Contractor Registration Form available on county forms page) and with the Nebraska Department of Labor (annual $25 registration at dol.nebraska.gov/conreg). 4. Download the Building Permit Application from https://saunderscounty.ne.gov/planning-and-zoning/forms-permits-and-regulations/ or obtain it in person at the courthouse. 5. Prepare required documents (see General Requirements below). 6. Submit completed application, supporting documents, and fee payment to the Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department at 433 N Chestnut St, Suite 302, Wahoo, NE 68066. 7. Staff reviews the application. Processing times are not published; contact (402) 443-8136 for current turnaround estimates. 8. Upon approval, permit is issued. Post the permit card on the job site; retain a copy throughout construction. 9. Schedule required inspections at each construction milestone. Call the zoning office to schedule. 10. For any project in a floodplain: obtain Elevation Certificates (pre-construction and post-completion) from a licensed land surveyor; submit copies to the county. 11. Request final inspection upon project completion. Certificate of Occupancy or final sign-off issued after satisfactory final inspection.

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

Typical processing time is Not published; contact office for current turnaround estimates.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings: Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03, the county cannot require building permits for buildings used for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of 20 or more acres that produces $1,000 or more in farm products per year. This exemption applies to true agricultural/farm use structures; it does not apply to residential dwellings on farm properties or to buildings not directly associated with farming operations.; Minor cosmetic repairs and maintenance activities below a defined threshold are typically exempt; confirm threshold with the zoning office.. Note: Agricultural exemption claims under § 23-114.03 should be documented carefully; the county zoning office may request confirmation of farm operation size and revenue.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: . Advance notice requirements not published; confirm with office.