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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Saunders County
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.
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.
- 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.
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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).
- Permit validity
- Standard Nebraska practice is work must commence within 180 days of permit issuance; confirm with the zoning office
- 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).
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not published; contact office for current turnaround estimates
- 01 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.
- 02 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.
- 03 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).
- 04 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.
- 05 Prepare required documents (see General Requirements below).
- 06 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.
- 07 Staff reviews the application. Processing times are not published; contact (402) 443-8136 for current turnaround estimates.
- 08 Upon approval, permit is issued. Post the permit card on the job site; retain a copy throughout construction.
- 09 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
§ 04
Fee schedule
Saunders County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
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.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call the Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department at (402) 443-8136 to schedule inspections (phone)
- 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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Saunders County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Saunders County, NE? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Saunders County, NE are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Saunders County, NE? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Saunders County, NE, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Saunders County, NE? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Saunders County, NE typically run Not published; contact office for current turnaround estimates. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Saunders County, NE? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Saunders County, NE? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Saunders County, NE via: Call the Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department at (402) 443-8136 to schedule inspections. Advance notice requirements not published; confirm with office.
last verified April 2026
source Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department ↗
entry id permits/nebraska/saunders/saunders-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Saunders County Planning and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.