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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Washington County
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
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
- 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
- Exempt 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
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)
- 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.
- Permit validity
- Permit becomes invalid if work not commenced within 180 days of issuance, or if work suspended or abandoned for 180 days
- Contractor requirements
- Must be registered under Nebraska Contractor Registration Act; requires proof of workers compensation insurance
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 7-60 business days; counter processing typically 30-60 minutes for simpler projects
- 01 Obtain application form from Planning & Zoning office or download from county website
- 02 Submit one (1) copy of plans including square footage for proposed structure
- 03 Submit site plan showing all existing buildings, location of new structure, distances between structures, and distances to property lines
- 04 Provide address or legal description (legal description can be found on tax statement)
- 05 Discuss any additional permits needed (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, septic)
- 06 Complete Permit Signature Authorization form if required
- 07 Pay applicable permit fees
- 08 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
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Contact Washington County Planning & Zoning at (402) 426-6872 for floodplain elevation certificate inspections (phone)
- NSED state electrical inspectors for electrical inspections (verify jurisdiction using NSED GIS mapping tool) (phone)
- NDEE-certified onsite wastewater professionals for septic system inspections (phone)
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal for commercial and public-assembly buildings (phone)
Typical 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.
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Washington County permits
01 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
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, NE? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, NE, follow these steps: 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
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, NE? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Washington County, NE typically run 7-60 business days; counter processing typically 30-60 minutes for simpler projects. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington County, NE? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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 When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, NE? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, NE via: Contact Washington County Planning & Zoning at (402) 426-6872 for floodplain elevation certificate inspections, NSED state electrical inspectors for electrical inspections (verify jurisdiction using NSED GIS mapping tool), NDEE-certified onsite wastewater professionals for septic system inspections, Nebraska State Fire Marshal for commercial and public-assembly buildings.
last verified April 2026
source Washington County Planning and Zoning Department ↗
entry id permits/nebraska/washington/washington-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Washington County Planning and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.