In rural York County you need a zoning permit, or a certificate of zoning compliance for farm buildings, from the county’s Zoning Co-Administrators at the courthouse, 510 N. Lincoln Avenue in York (402-366-8706). The application is delivered to the County Assessor’s office, and it notes that York County has adopted no building code. The City of York issues building, electrical and plumbing permits in the city and within 2 miles of it.
What needs a zoning permit in rural York County?
The county zoning regulations apply outside the cities and villages and their zoning areas. Late fees apply to anyone who starts a building, structure, irrigation well, grain bin or farm building before getting the required permit or certificate.
Zoning permit
- New houses and manufactured homes (blueprints required)
- Non-farm buildings and additions
- Commercial, industrial and public uses, with parking and signs shown
- New or expanded confined livestock feeding uses
Certificate of zoning compliance
- Farm buildings on a farm of 20 acres or more producing at least $1,000 of crops or livestock a year
- Grain bins on a qualifying farm (the form asks for height, diameter and bushels)
- Agricultural pole, wood or steel buildings
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →A farm building used for a non-farm purpose, or on land that does not qualify as a farm, is a non-farm building and needs a zoning permit.
Who issues permits in York County?
Two Zoning Co-Administrators run the county zoning office at the York County Courthouse, open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. They check the zoning district, lot size, the one-house-per-quarter-quarter rule, setbacks, height and the airport and flood hazard overlays. The application states that York County has not adopted any building code regulating design and construction. Electrical work outside the City of York is permitted and inspected by the State Electrical Division (Lincoln office 402-471-3550).
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | York County Courthouse, 510 N. Lincoln Avenue, York, NE 68467 |
| Phone | 402-366-8706 (Zoning Co-Administrator) |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Where the application goes | County Assessor’s office |
Who issues permits in each town:
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →- York: the City’s Building & Zoning department, 100 E. 4th Street (402-363-2600), issues building, plumbing, electrical and heating permits through its online portal for the city and its 2-mile extraterritorial zoning area. York runs its own electrical inspection program, listed with the State Electrical Division.
- Henderson: the city code requires building permits, provides for a building inspector and requires separate plumbing permits.
- Gresham: the village code requires building permits and provides for a building inspector.
- McCool Junction and Bradshaw: the published sources do not say who issues building permits; call McCool Junction at 402-724-2525 or the Bradshaw village office at 402-736-4634.
- Benedict, Lushton, Thayer and Waco: the published sources do not say who issues building permits; ask the village clerk.
York County permit fees
The County Board of Commissioners sets the zoning fees by resolution, including a separate late fee for permits and certificates obtained after work has started. The application form leaves the amount blank, and the zoning office (402-366-8706) gives the current figure.
What the York County application asks for
- Applicant, section, township and range, legal address and property size in acres
- The distance from the right-of-way of each road next to the property to the nearest point of the new building
- Size and type of any grain bin or agricultural building, and whether it has electricity, water, plumbing or a concrete floor
- The estimated cost
- For a new house: blueprints, and confirmation that it will be the only dwelling in its quarter-quarter section and at least ¼ mile from any confined livestock feeding use
- A sketch site plan with north at the top, showing the building, driveway, adjoining roads and side and rear distances when under 30 feet
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a York County zoning permit
Make sure the land is outside York’s 2-mile area and any city or village zoning area.
In the General Agricultural district a house needs at least 2 acres and must be the only one in its quarter-quarter section.
Fill in every part; incomplete applications can be denied.
Pay the fee and submit blueprints for any new house.
The permit expires if work is not started within 1 year or finished within 2 years of approval.
Local York County details
Setbacks: in the General Agricultural district the front setback is 58 feet from the centerline of a county road, or 25 feet from the right-of-way of a federal or state highway. Lots larger than the 2-acre minimum may be needed where Title 124 onsite wastewater rules require a lagoon.
Rather not deal with the York County building department?
Get a free quote →Solar: the county adopted solar energy conversion system regulations on May 29, 2026.
Regulations update: the Planning Commission is working with a consultant on an updated comprehensive plan and zoning regulations; until new ones are adopted, permits follow the 2015 regulations.
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 York County resources
- York County Zoning
- York County zoning permit / certificate of zoning compliance application
- York County Zoning Regulations (2015)
- York County solar regulations (adopted May 29, 2026)
- City of York Building & Zoning
- Henderson building regulations (city code Chapter 150)
- State Electrical Division local inspection programs
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →York County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit in rural York County?
You need a county zoning permit for a house or non-farm building, or a certificate of zoning compliance for a farm building. York County has not adopted a building code.
Where do I turn in a York County zoning permit application?
At the County Assessor’s office, as the application instructs. The zoning office itself is at 510 N. Lincoln Avenue, York.
How many houses can I build on rural land in York County?
In the General Agricultural district, one house per quarter-quarter section, on a lot of at least 2 acres.
Do grain bins need a permit in York County?
A grain bin on a qualifying farm needs a certificate of zoning compliance, and a late fee applies if the bin is built first.
Who issues permits near York?
The City of York, inside the city and within its 2-mile extraterritorial zoning area.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How long is a York County zoning permit good for?
Work must start within 1 year and be finished within 2 years of approval.
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More Nebraska permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about York County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.