Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska Building Permit Guide

Scotts Bluff County issues building permits through its own Building and Zoning department, with a county Building Inspector who signs permits and makes inspections. A house is charged $30 for the first $1,000 of value and $5 for each $1,000 after that, using a standard value of $100 per square foot for a site-built home, and the office must issue or refuse a permit within 15 days. Scottsbluff (which also serves Terrytown), Gering, Mitchell and Morrill handle permits in their own zoning areas.

What needs a county building permit?

Section 13.2 of the county Zoning Regulations requires a building permit before anyone excavates for, builds, rebuilds, enlarges, alters or moves a building or structure, changes the use of land or a building, or builds a water or sewer connection.

Septic tanks, drain fields, inside drain-waste-vent plumbing, electrical services and water taps go on the county’s separate Special Permit Application, which does not by itself authorize building work.

Who issues permits in Scotts Bluff County?

The county Building and Zoning department, led by Director Bill Mabin, administers the zoning regulations and building permits from the Public Works Building. The County Board designates the Building Inspector who enforces them.

Cities and villages

The county rules do not apply inside cities and villages or in the surrounding areas where they are exercising zoning jurisdiction.

• Scottsbluff (city): Development Services at City Hall, 2525 Circle Drive (308-630-6243), issues building, electrical and plumbing permits for the city and a mapped area around it that the city code describes by roads, canals and the North Platte River.
• Terrytown (city): has an agreement with the City of Scottsbluff for building permits and other building and zoning matters; call Scottsbluff Development Services at 308-630-6243.
• Gering (city): issues its own building, roofing, fence, demolition, plumbing and mechanical permits and floodplain permits, licenses building, roofing, plumbing and mechanical contractors, and has adopted the 2018 International Building Code.
• Mitchell (city): building permits are applied for through the Zoning Administrator at $4.50 per $1,000 of value, with a $35 minimum and $4.50 for each inspection, under Chapter 150 of the city code.
• Morrill (village): its code requires village building permits; the village office is at 118 S. Center Avenue (308-247-2312).
• Minatare (city): has its own zoning regulations and Planning Commission, which reviews rezonings before the City Council acts, and handles conditional use permits; no building permit form or fee is posted, so call the city office at 308-783-1414.
• The villages of Henry, Lyman, McGrew and Melbeta publish no permit process; ask the village clerk.

County applications

• Building Permit Application: three pages covering the project and fee, construction details (footings, framing, plumbing, heating and cooling, window U-factor) and a site plan.
• Special Permit Application: for septic, drain field, inside plumbing, electrical work, electrical service and water taps, listing the plumbing and electrical contractors.
• Certificate of Occupancy: applied for at the same time as the building permit and issued within 10 days after the work is finished in line with the regulations; none is issued for part of an unfinished house.
• Temporary building permit: for buildings needed during construction or highway work, for up to 6 months.

Scotts Bluff County permit fees

The County Board sets building permit fees and posts them in the Building and Zoning office. The county’s Building Permit Application prints the formulas, based on the value of materials and labor (land value excluded), with standard values per square foot:

At the standard value, a 1,500 sq ft site-built house with no basement is valued at $150,000, so the permit is $30 plus 149 × $5, or $775. The form notes that not every valuation will follow the listed figures, so the office sets the final valuation.

Since February 17, 2026, a landowner who starts work on a building, structure, plumbing or HVAC system before getting the required permits owes a county fee on top of the regular permit fee, and work done without an inspection needs an affidavit and a fee. The amounts are in the Building and Zoning office’s fee schedule, which is posted at the office rather than online.

Septic, plumbing and electrical

Septic tanks, drain fields, inside drain-waste-vent piping, electrical work and water taps are permitted on the county’s Special Permit Application, and each septic, drain field, meter or electrical service inspection costs $4. The county’s Special Permit form covers electrical work and services with $4 inspections, while the State Electrical Division does not list Scotts Bluff County among its local inspection programs; rural Scotts Bluff County is in the Division’s inspection District 18.

What to submit

• Two identical sets of plans: plot plan, footing detail, wall detail, roof detail and floor plan, drawn to scale
• The completed Building Permit Application with the section, township and range, owner, general contractor, plumber and electrician, heating fuel, electric provider, water supply and sewage disposal type
• A site plan showing all existing and proposed structures, the dimensions of the work and number of bedrooms, distances to property lines and nearby structures, and the septic tank and drain field
• Construction details: footing and foundation, framing and sheathing, plumbing materials, heating and cooling equipment and window U-factor

Lot dimensions must be based on an actual survey, and the lot and building location must be staked out before construction starts.

How to get a Scotts Bluff County building permit: 6 steps

Inspections

The county Building Inspector signs permits and inspects the work; request inspections by phone at 308-436-6700 when each stage is ready. Special permit inspections (septic, drain field, meter and electrical service) cost $4 each, and used mobile homes are charged for inspections on top of the $100 permit. No building or land may be used, and no change of use made, until the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, and no structure may be used as a temporary residence.

Recent Scotts Bluff County zoning changes

On February 17, 2026 the County Board approved five zoning amendments after public hearings: an “event facility” definition replacing the race track use, an exception for replatting existing nonconforming lots of record, revised rules for Ag Estate Dwelling Sites, an “accessory dwelling” definition replacing “guest home”, and a change to Section 18.1 adding a late fee for permits and an affidavit form and fee for work done without an inspection, with the office fee schedule amended to include both. The amended regulations are posted on the Forms, Permits and Regulations page.

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 resources

• Scotts Bluff County Building and Zoning
• Scotts Bluff County Building Permit Application and fees
• Scotts Bluff County Special Permit Application
• Scotts Bluff County Zoning Regulations
• Scotts Bluff County zoning map
• City of Scottsbluff Development Services
• City of Gering forms and permits
• Nebraska State Electrical Division: local electrical inspection programs

Scotts Bluff County permit FAQs

Does Scotts Bluff County issue building permits?

Yes. Its Building and Zoning department issues building permits and inspects work outside the cities’ and villages’ zoning areas.

How much is a building permit for a new house?

$30 for the first $1,000 of value plus $5 for each $1,000 after; a 1,500 sq ft site-built house at the standard $100 per sq ft comes to $775.

Do farm buildings need a county permit?

Not in Agricultural zoning, unless the building is a farm dwelling. Farm buildings must still meet the zoning rules.

What plans does the county ask for?

Two identical sets, including a plot plan, footing detail, wall detail, roof detail and floor plan.

What are the office hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., open through the lunch hour, at 785 Rundell Road in Gering.

Who permits in Terrytown?

The City of Scottsbluff, under its agreement with Terrytown; call Scottsbluff Development Services at 308-630-6243.

Simplify Scotts Bluff 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 Scotts Bluff County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.