Colfax County, Nebraska Building Permit Guide

In rural Colfax County a zoning permit from the county Zoning Administrator, 466 Road 10, Schuyler (402-352-8505, zoning@colfaxne.com), must be issued before any building is excavated for, built, enlarged, altered or moved. The administrator decides within 15 days of accepting a complete application, and a permit expires if the work is not finished within two years. The City of Schuyler’s Building Inspector issues building permits inside the city and two miles beyond it.

What needs a county zoning permit?

Under Section 10.02 of the county zoning regulations it is unlawful to excavate for, erect, build, rebuild, enlarge, alter or move any building or structure, to change the use of a building or land, or to connect to water or sewer, until the Zoning Administrator has issued a zoning permit stating that the use complies.

The regulations are written to control non-farm buildings, which they define as every building except those used for agriculture on a farmstead of 20 acres or more that produces at least $1,000 of farm products a year. Building without a required permit is a Class III misdemeanor, and each day after notice can count as a separate offense.

Who issues permits in Colfax County?

The county regulations cover all of Colfax County except the areas the cities and villages control under state law. Within the county area, the Zoning Administrator issues zoning permits, and the Floodplain Administrator enforces the floodplain overlay.

Applying for a county zoning permit

Application forms come from the zoning office, by phone or by email to zoning@colfaxne.com. Under Section 10.03 the application comes with a site plan, based on an actual survey, that shows:

• the shape and dimensions of the lot;
• the exact location and the existing and intended use of each building;
• the number of families or housekeeping units a building is designed for;
• existing and proposed water and sewer facilities.

The lot and building location must be staked out on the ground before construction starts. One copy of the approved plans comes back with the permit. Fees are set by separate County Board resolution and must be paid before the permit is issued; the zoning office quotes the current amount.

Local Colfax County rules

Agricultural district (A-1): a house needs a lot of at least 5 acres and 200 feet wide, with no more than 20% coverage; a seasonal dwelling needs 3 acres, and grain bins or farm buildings away from a farmstead 2 acres. Buildings sit 83 feet from the center line of a county road (50 feet from other platted roads) at the front, 58 feet at the rear and 48 feet at the side (25 and 15 feet from other roads), and anything within 150 feet of a residential district is limited to 35 feet in height.

Accessory dwelling units: one per lot by conditional use permit in A-1 and TA-1, up to 1,000 square feet and two bedrooms, with the owner living on the property and a deed restriction filed with the Register of Deeds so the unit cannot be sold separately.

Floodplain: development in the floodplain overlay needs its own permit, and a new or substantially improved home must have its lowest floor, basement included, at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.

Electrical and septic: no Colfax County town is on the State Electrical Division’s list of local inspection programs, so electrical permits and inspections come from the Division. Rural septic systems follow state Title 124 rules and may be installed or repaired only by a state-certified professional.

Schuyler permits and inspections

Schuyler’s code puts its Building Department under the Building Inspector. A separate building permit is needed for each building or structure built, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved or demolished in the city or its two-mile zoning area, with these limits:

• No permit is needed when the work costs $2,000 or less, unless it alters the structure, or for routine maintenance with materials of the same quality, such as like-for-like reroofing.
• Each application includes one set of plans, waived for agricultural buildings in the AG district. Buildings that cost $20,000 or more and either serve 20 or more people or cover more than 5,000 square feet need plans by a Nebraska-licensed engineer or architect.
• Permits for new construction or major remodeling are not issued until the completed application has been on file with the Municipal Clerk for five business days.
• New homes in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones must include public sidewalks.

Fees follow the schedule adopted by the City Council and are based on the greater of the Building Inspector’s estimate, using average costs per square foot, and the contractor’s estimate. An inspection record card is posted on the front of the property, and the Building Inspector inspects the foundation, the framing and the finished building before occupancy.

Nebraska building code

Nebraska's state building code applies by default where a city, village or county has adopted none; local codes must conform generally, and the energy code is mandatory statewide. Nebraska rules

Official Colfax County resources

• Colfax County Planning and Zoning
• Colfax County zoning forms, permits and regulations
• Colfax County Zoning Regulations
• Colfax County zoning map
• Colfax County Subdivision Regulations
• Colfax County Roads and Bridges
• Schuyler Code of Ordinances, Chapter 150 Municipal Building Department
• State Electrical Division list of local electrical inspection programs
• Nebraska DWEE onsite wastewater guidance

Colfax County permit FAQs

Do I need a permit to build in rural Colfax County?

Yes. A county zoning permit from the Zoning Administrator (402-352-8505) is required before excavating for, building, enlarging, altering or moving any building.

How long does a county zoning permit take?

The Zoning Administrator issues a permit or a written denial within 15 days of accepting the application.

How much is a Colfax County zoning permit?

The fee is set by County Board resolution and paid before the permit is issued; the zoning office (402-352-8505) quotes the current amount.

What is the minimum lot for a house in the agricultural district?

5 acres, at least 200 feet wide, in the A-1 Agricultural Preservation District.

Who issues building permits in Schuyler?

The city Building Inspector, with applications filed with the Municipal Clerk, for the city and its two-mile zoning jurisdiction.

Can I add a second small home on my acreage?

In the A-1 and TA-1 districts, one accessory dwelling unit of up to 1,000 square feet may be allowed by conditional use permit, with the owner living on the property.

Simplify Colfax County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Nebraska. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Colfax County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.