Unincorporated Stanton County

Before any excavating, erecting, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, altering, moving, or demolishing of any structure, and before any change of use in unincorporated Stanton County

• Exempt Qualifying agricultural structures on exempt farmsteads (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03): barns, livestock facilities, poultry housing, machinery storage, grain/hay storage on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+ of farm products annually do not require county zoning permit (but zoning setback standards and floodplain permit requirements still apply)
• Exempt Minor repairs and maintenance: routine in-kind repairs and maintenance that do not increase footprint, height, or use of existing structure and do not constitute substantial improvement (50%+ of pre-improvement market value in floodplain) generally do not require new permit
• Exempt Fences: ordinary agricultural field fencing generally does not require county zoning permit

Note: Exemption from county zoning permit does not mean exemption from NSED electrical inspection, NDEE septic registration, Nebraska State Fire Marshal review (for commercial/public structures), NFIP floodplain permit requirements, or NDEE stormwater NOI obligations. Always confirm with Zoning Administrator at (402) 439-2224 before assuming no permit required.

Building code

Stanton County does not administer a full structural building code for unincorporated residential construction. County issues zoning permits confirming compliance with zoning regulations (setbacks, land use classification, lot standards, district requirements) but does not conduct structural inspections. Commercial and public structures are subject to Nebraska State Fire Marshal review regardless of local adoption status.

Permit validity

One year from issuance; extensions may be requested in writing

Owner-builder

Nebraska does not require a contractor's license for owner-builders working on their own property. All hired contractors must hold current Nebraska Contractor Registration ($25/yr, proof of workers' comp required). For electrical work, owner-builder permit program through NSED allows property owners to pull their own electrical permits for single-family owner-occupied residences (nebraska.gov/sed/permits/homeowner/)

Contractor requirements

All contractors performing work on real property in Nebraska must register with the Department of Labor annually ($25 fee) with proof of workers' compensation insurance

Source: Stanton County Planning and Zoning ↗

1. 01
   Confirm property zoning district using Beacon GIS Map (beacon.schneidercorp.com) or by calling (402) 439-2224
2. 02
   Determine applicable permit type (residential, agricultural, accessory, conditional use, floodplain)
3. 03
   Download or pick up appropriate application form from stantoncounty.nebraska.gov/about/planning-and-zoning or the Zoning office
4. 04
   Complete application with site plan showing lot shape/dimensions, streets, existing/proposed structures, dimensions, distances to lot lines, and proposed use
5. 05
   Verify flood zone status at msc.fema.gov or NDNR Floodplain Interactive Map if property near FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area; obtain separate Floodplain Development Permit if in Zone A or AE
6. 06
   Submit completed application and site plan to Zoning Administrator at 804 Ivy Street in person or by mail
7. 07
   Pay required fees at time of submission
8. 08
   Zoning Administrator issues written permit or denial within 15 days of accepting complete application
9. 09
   Conditional Use permits require Planning Commission review and public hearing (longer than 15 days)
10. 10
    Post permit on site and commence construction

Typical processing time: 15 days for standard non-complex permits; Conditional Use permits require Planning Commission public hearing with extended timeline

Source: Stanton County Planning and Zoning ↗

Pay required fees at time of submission

• Contact Zoning Administrator at (402) 439-2224 to verify zoning compliance (setbacks, structure location, land use classification) (phone)
• For electrical work: NSED District 7 inspector has statewide jurisdiction; use NSED GIS Mapping tool (electrical.nebraska.gov/nsed-inspection-gis-mapping) to identify current inspector or call NSED at 402-471-3550 (phone)
• For commercial and public structures: Nebraska State Fire Marshal conducts plan review and inspections (402-471-2027; sfm.nebraska.gov) (phone)
• For septic systems: licensed onsite wastewater installer performs work; system must be registered with NDEE within 45 days of completion (dee.nebraska.gov or 402-471-2186) (phone)
• For floodplain compliance: Zoning Administrator/Floodplain Administrator enforces; elevation certificate required for new construction and substantial improvements in SFHA (phone)

Typical sequence: Stanton County zoning system does not include full structural inspection regime. Zoning Administrator may conduct site visits to verify zoning compliance but does not routinely perform foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical inspections on residential construction in unincorporated areas.

Source: Stanton County Planning and Zoning ↗