County Building Permits

Washington County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Nebraska Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Washington County outside incorporated city/village limits and extraterritorial zoning jurisdictions

Department
Washington County Planning and Zoning Department
Address
1555 Colfax Street, Blair, NE 68008
Phone
(402) 426-6872
Website
https://www.washingtoncountyne.gov/planning-zoning

Online Permit Portal

Open Washington County Planning & Zoning

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Obtain application form from Planning & Zoning office or download from county website
  2. Submit one (1) copy of plans including square footage for proposed structure
  3. Submit site plan showing all existing buildings, location of new structure, distances between structures, and distances to property lines
  4. Provide address or legal description (legal description can be found on tax statement)
  5. Discuss any additional permits needed (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, septic)
  6. Complete Permit Signature Authorization form if required
  7. Pay applicable permit fees
  8. Allow 7 business days minimum for review; Planning Department has up to 60 days to approve or deny

Typical processing time: 7-60 business days; counter processing typically 30-60 minutes for simpler projects

Source: Washington County Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

Required for erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or conversion of any nonfarm building or structure within a zoned area, per Nebraska Statute § 23-114.03

Required Documents

  • Application form
  • Plans with structural and room dimensions, square footage
  • Site plan showing existing buildings, new structure location, distances to property lines and structures
  • Address or legal description of property
  • Permit Signature Authorization form (may be required)
  • Plumbing/septic approval from county health department (if applicable)
  • Floodplain development permit (if in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area)
Permit validity
Permit becomes invalid if work not commenced within 180 days of issuance, or if work suspended or abandoned for 180 days
Building code
No residential building code adopted at county level. County has zoning regulations but no IRC/IBC adoption. Permit is primarily land use/zoning compliance mechanism, not code compliance mechanism.
Contractor requirements
Must be registered under Nebraska Contractor Registration Act; requires proof of workers compensation insurance

Fees

Payment note
Fee schedule not publicly posted online; contact Planning & Zoning at (402) 426-6872 for current fees. County may charge separate fees for conditional use permits and variance applications.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+ in farm products annually (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03), including residences of operators and hired hands, barns, livestock/poultry shelters, equipment storage, grain storage, silos
  • Personal storage, storage of non-farm vehicles (boats, cars, RVs), and home occupations do NOT qualify for agricultural exemption

Important: Agricultural exemption does not override septic/health department approval requirements where plumbing is installed

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Typical inspection sequence: Washington County does not operate a comprehensive residential building inspection program. Because no residential building code has been adopted, there is no county building inspector conducting structural, framing, rough-in, or mechanical inspections on residential projects. Floodplain and septic inspections occur where applicable.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Washington County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, NE?
Required for erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or conversion of any nonfarm building or structure within a zoned area, per Nebraska Statute § 23-114.03
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, NE?
1. Obtain application form from Planning & Zoning office or download from county website 2. Submit one (1) copy of plans including square footage for proposed structure 3. Submit site plan showing all existing buildings, location of new structure, distances between structures, and distances to property lines 4. Provide address or legal description (legal description can be found on tax statement) 5. Discuss any additional permits needed (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, septic) 6. Complete Permit Signature Authorization form if required 7. Pay applicable permit fees 8. Allow 7 business days minimum for review; Planning Department has up to 60 days to approve or deny
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, NE?
Typical processing time is 7-60 business days; counter processing typically 30-60 minutes for simpler projects.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington County, NE?
The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of 20+ acres producing $1,000+ in farm products annually (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03), including residences of operators and hired hands, barns, livestock/poultry shelters, equipment storage, grain storage, silos; Personal storage, storage of non-farm vehicles (boats, cars, RVs), and home occupations do NOT qualify for agricultural exemption. Note: Agricultural exemption does not override septic/health department approval requirements where plumbing is installed
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, NE?
Inspections can be scheduled via: , , , .

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Washington County (Unincorporated) can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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