Bolthole Index

Cedar County, Nebraska

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Cedar County, Nebraska

48Index Score / 100
#32 of 93 in Nebraska

Cedar County, Nebraska requires a building permit to erect, move, add to or structurally alter a building in the county zoning area1. Agricultural nonresidential structures in AG Agricultural Residential Districts and improvements valued at $1,000 or less are exempt from that permit requirement2. Cedar County also has district-based zoning, and a certificate of occupancy is required before occupancy of a new building, while septic permits and registration run through Nebraska's state onsite wastewater program345.

At a glance

Building permit
Required in the county zoning area, with limited agricultural and low-value exemptions1
Zoning
Yes; land use, lot size, setbacks and height depend on the district36
Septic
State-regulated; most systems use Authorization by Rule, while some need a permit57
Owner-builder
Own-property work is exempt from contractor registration, not from permits or zoning8
RV living
Long-term occupancy on private land is not confirmed; ask the Zoning Administrator3
Minimum home size
District-specific; the confirmed 500 sq ft minimum applies to mobile homes in R-M9
Septic soil suitability
31% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field10
Property tax
1% effective rate; median bill about $1,827 per year1112

Who to call

Zoning

Cedar County Zoning Administrator

Building-permit applications and administration of Cedar County zoning

402-254-6870

101 S. Broadway, Hartington, NE 68739

Septic permits

Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment Onsite Section

State onsite wastewater professional certification and guidance for septic-system work

(402) 471-4285

245 Fallbrook Blvd., Ste. 100, Lincoln, NE 68521

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

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Do you need a building permit in Cedar County, Nebraska?

Yes. Cedar County requires a building permit before a building or other structure is erected, moved, added to or structurally altered in the county zoning area13. A permit is not required for an agricultural nonresidential building or structure in an AG Agricultural Residential District, or for an improvement valued at $1,000 or less2. The exemption is narrow: it does not turn a residence, or every structure on agricultural land, into permit-free construction2. Nebraska also has a state building code that applies by default where a local jurisdiction has not timely adopted an authorized local code, except for construction on a farm or for farm purposes14. A certificate of occupancy is required before a building or land is used or occupied, except for a primarily agricultural use, and the Zoning Administrator examines the building before issuing it415. The specific building-code edition adopted or enforced by Cedar County could not be confirmed, so ask the Zoning Administrator before finalizing plans116.

Who issues building permits in Cedar County, and how do you reach them?

The Cedar County Zoning Administrator is the practical first call for a county building permit or zoning question: the office is at 101 S. Broadway in Hartington and can be reached at 402-254-687016. The county asks for two identical sets of plans with a plot plan, footing detail, wall detail, roof detail and floor plan17. A building-permit application must include a plot plan with the site and structure information required by the zoning regulations18. The Zoning Administrator approves or disapproves an application within 30 days after receipt, and required fees must be received before an approved permit is issued18. Cedar County has not published a confirmed fee schedule in the materials available here, so ask the office for the current amount18. Once issued, construction must begin within 90 days, and the permit remains valid for 2 years13. A written appeal goes to the Board of Adjustment within 10 days after the determination is filed18.

Does Cedar County have zoning?

Yes. Cedar County divides its zoning area into districts with district-specific controls over land use, building size, height and intensity196. Nebraska county zoning authority generally covers territory outside incorporated cities and villages, except unincorporated areas where a city or village is exercising granted or ceded zoning jurisdiction20. In the A-1 district, a new single-family dwelling needs at least 80 acres as a permitted use or 40 acres as a conditional use, subject to the ordinance's exemptions and rules for nonconforming lots21. Confirm the parcel's district before relying on those figures because other districts have different standards21. A-1 rules also specify a 30-foot front yard, 15-foot side yard and 25-foot rear yard, plus separate road-centerline setbacks in specified locations22. Structures intended for human occupancy in A-1 are capped at 35 feet under the cited district rule23.

How do septic permits work in Cedar County?

Nebraska's Department of Water, Energy, and Environment administers onsite wastewater rules in Cedar County under Title 124, and any local requirements apply in addition to the state program524. Most Nebraska onsite wastewater systems are built under Authorization by Rule without a construction permit, but systems with large size, non-domestic wastes or siting issues can require a site-specific state permit7. A system that is constructed, reconstructed, altered, modified or otherwise changed must be registered with the state7. Septic work and inspection must be performed or supervised by an appropriately certified professional or another professional authorized by state law25. A development area proposing onsite systems on lots smaller than 3 acres needs state subdivision review before construction, with a $450 application fee per lot26. Local city or county requirements may apply in addition to the state program27. Call the state Onsite Section at (402) 471-4285 for program questions and certified-professional resources28. Only 31% of Cedar County soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation part of due diligence rather than assuming a standard field will work10.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Cedar County?

Cedar County's rules for long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping on private land and tiny-home occupancy could not be confirmed, so take the parcel address and proposed use to the Zoning Administrator before buying or moving a unit onto the land316. Nebraska's restriction on camping along public highways, roadside areas and public parks does not answer whether someone may occupy an RV on private property29. Cedar County does have a confirmed district-specific size rule: each mobile home in the R-M Mobile Home Residential District must contain at least 500 square feet of livable floor area9. That mobile-home rule is not a countywide tiny-home standard9. Nebraska law permits counties to impose certain standards on manufactured homes, but it does not itself impose a 900-square-foot minimum on every home statewide30.

What are the steps to build a home in Cedar County, Nebraska?

  1. Ask the Cedar County Zoning Administrator to identify the parcel's zoning district and applicable use, lot-size, setback and height rules; call 402-254-6870166.
  2. Confirm that the lot was legally created and has legal access, because county subdivision rules govern platting and some exemptions also depend on access and suitable sanitation31.
  3. Arrange a septic site evaluation with a qualified professional and determine whether the system qualifies for Authorization by Rule or needs a state permit725.
  4. Submit the county building-permit application with the required plot plan and pay the applicable fee before issuance18.
  5. If access connects to a state highway, obtain the Nebraska driveway or approach-road permit before constructing, relocating or altering the entrance32.
  6. If the site is in a special flood hazard area, obtain the required floodplain approval before development33.
  7. Begin construction within 90 days and finish within the permit's 2-year validity period13.
  8. Obtain the certificate of occupancy from the Zoning Administrator before you occupy the home4.

What should you check before buying land in Cedar County?

Start with the zoning map, legal lot status and road access: Cedar County maintains zoning maps, regulates subdivision, and applies district-specific lot and setback standards63122. Check the FEMA flood designation before planning a house, driveway or grading, because development in Cedar County's identified special flood hazard areas requires full compliance with the floodplain resolution and other applicable rules33. Test septic feasibility early; only 31% of county soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field in the USDA soil survey10. For a well, a natural resources district permit is required before construction in a groundwater management area unless an exemption applies, such as a single well designed to pump 50 gallons per minute or less; ask the district whether the parcel lies in one34. The county receives about 28.8 inches of precipitation annually, and severe drought has occurred in about 21.4% of years, useful context for water planning but not a substitute for checking a specific well or water source3536. The effective property-tax rate is about 1%, with a median annual bill of $1,8271112.

Watch-outs

  • A permit exemption for an agricultural nonresidential structure in an AG district does not establish an exemption for a house or residential farm building2.
  • Cedar County's published permit process requires fees, but the current fee amounts could not be confirmed; ask the Zoning Administrator before budgeting1816.
  • Floodplain development needs separate compliance even when the underlying use is otherwise allowed by the zoning district33.

Sources

  1. Cedar County Zoning Regulations (2026 county census)
  2. cedarcountyne.gov, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning and Zoning – Cedar County (2026 county census)
  4. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  5. Nebraska DEE - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Permits (2026 county census)
  6. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  7. Onsite Wastewater Program (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Nebraska Revised Statute 48-2104 — Registration required (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  10. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  11. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  12. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  13. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  14. Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6403: State building code; adopted; amendments (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  16. Cedar County Zoning Administrator (cedarcountyne.gov)
  17. Planning and Zoning FAQs – Cedar County, quoted and re-checked
  18. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  19. Planning and Zoning – Cedar County, quoted and re-checked
  20. Nebraska Revised Statute 23-114 (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  23. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  24. Onsite Wastewater Program (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Nebraska Revised Statute 81-15,248 (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Title 124 – Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  27. Onsite Wastewater Program, quoted and re-checked
  28. Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment Onsite Section (dwee.nebraska.gov)
  29. Nebraska Revised Statute 39-312 — Camping; permitted; where; violation; penalty (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. Nebraska Revised Statute 23-114 (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  32. Title 410, Chapter 2 - Driveway and Approach Road Permits (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Cedar County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  34. Nebraska Revised Statute 46-735, quoted and re-checked
  35. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like 4 of its 6 neighbors, Cedar County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleCedar CountyDixon CountyWayne CountyPierce CountyKnox CountyDakota CountyMadison County
Building permitRequiredLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredLimited
County zoningYesNoNoYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsNDEENE Dept. of Env. & EnergyNDEENE Dept. of Env. & EnergyNDEENE Dept. of Env. & EnergyNE Dept. of Water

County locator

Cedar County in Nebraska

48
County map
Cedar County highlighted among the Nebraska counties · colored by Index score

How Cedar County scores

Seclusion57100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency27100% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability39100% ev.
Property Autonomy53100% ev.
Carry Cost62100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$247kTypical home
1%Property tax
$6,435Land / acre
28.8"Annual rain
21.4% of yrsSevere drought
11.4 / yr (+9.9)Mid-century 100°F days
20.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.54" (+7.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.61×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,280Home insurance / yr
4.9% / yrInsurance growth
1.61%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
30,335People within 30 min
818,381People within 2 hr
9,095Radius comparison (15 mi)
11.2People / sq mi
0.7%Federal land
93%Land at 15% slope or less
31%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
145,386 acWorkable land screen
3.4%Wooded land
47 tonsBiomass / forest ac
48°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Cedar County

Inside a city, town or township here, that government usually sets zoning and may issue its own building permits; the county’s rules above cover land outside them.

Not yet researched: Village of Belden · Village of Coleridge · Village of Fordyce · Hartington · Laurel · Village of Magnet · Village of Obert · Village of St. Helena · Village of Wynot

Answers from the rulebook for Cedar County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Cedar County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and structures erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered in the Cedar County zoning area.

    • A permit is not required for agricultural nonresidential buildings or structures in AG Agricultural Residential Districts.
    • A permit is not required for improvements valued at $1,000 or less.
    • Construction must begin within 90 days of issuance.
    • The permit is valid for two years.
    • The proposed construction or use must conform to the ordinance and other applicable codes, regulations, laws, orders, and variances.

    construction start deadline: 90 days (from permit issuance) · permit validity: 2 years · improvement exemption threshold: <= 1000 USD (improvements valued at $1,000 or less)

    “No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a required building permit”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Inspection by the Cedar County Zoning Administrator before issuance of a certificate of occupancy for buildings, structures, or sites with an application for a building permit.

    • The cited inspection duty is tied to issuance of a certificate of occupancy and to applications for a building permit to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, demolish, or change use or occupancy; the source does not establish inspections for every building or regulated land use.
    “Before issuing a certificate of occupancy, the Zoning Administrator shall examine all buildings, structures or sites for which an application has been made for a building permit to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, demolish, or change the use or occupancy.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of a building, structure, or land, and changes in use or occupancy, where the Cedar County zoning regulation applies.

    • A certificate is required before use or occupancy, except for a use that is primarily agricultural.
    • The rule also applies to a change in the use or type of occupancy of an existing building or structure requiring a building permit.
    • Upon request, a partial certificate may be issued for no more than ninety days if the completed portion can be occupied safely without endangering life or public welfare.
    • The certificate application must include an affidavit from the owner, registered architect, licensed professional engineer, or superintendent of construction stating that the structure follows approved plans and complies with the ordinance and applicable local codes and resolutions or ordinances.
    • Before issuance, the Zoning Administrator examines the relevant buildings, structures, or sites and keeps records of examinations, inspections, and violations.

    partial certificate duration: <= 90 days (Upon request and only if the completed portion may be occupied safely without endangering life or public welfare.)

    “No building, structure or land shall be used or occupied, in whole or in part, nor shall any change made in the use or type of occupancy of an existing building or structure requiring a building permit, nor shall any change be made in the use of land, except to any use which is primarily agricultural, unless a certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with this resolution.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning regulation in Cedar County, including the county zoning area.

    • The regulations divide the county into zoning districts and impose district-specific controls.
    “DIVIDING THE COUNTY INTO DISTRICTS FOR SUCH PURPOSES; ADOPTING A MAP OF THE COUNTY SHOWING BOUNDARIES OF DISTRICT AND CLASSIFICATION OF SUCH DISTRICTS;”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning regulation administered by the Cedar County Planning and Zoning Department and Zoning Administrator.

    • The county page identifies a county zoning regulation and a Zoning Administrator; parcel-specific zoning districts and requirements must be determined from the property legal description and address.
    “These Regulations shall be known and may be cited as the Zoning Regulations of Cedar County, Nebraska.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Cedar County zoning districts and classifications.

    • The Zoning Administrator must maintain current zoning maps and make a compiled zoning resolution and zoning map available annually.
    • District-specific rules govern land use, height, area, size, and intensity.
    “A zoning map or maps, showing the zoning districts, divisions and classifications in effect on the preceding December 31.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Each mobile home in the Cedar County R-M Mobile Home Residential District.

    • The 500-square-foot minimum applies to each mobile home in the R-M mobile-home district.

    minimum livable floor area: >= 500 square feet (each mobile home in R-M district)

    “There shall be a minimum liveable floor area of five hundred (500) square fee in each mobile home.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential and other uses in Cedar County zoning districts.

    • In A-1, new single-family dwellings require 80 acres as a permitted use or 40 acres as a conditional use, subject to stated exemptions and nonconforming lots.
    • In R-M, mobile-home courts require at least 5 acres and each mobile-home lot requires at least 7,500 square feet.
    • Other districts may have different lot requirements.

    A-1 new single-family permitted lot area: >= 80 acres (including road right-of-way) · A-1 new single-family conditional lot area: >= 40 acres (including road right-of-way) · R-M mobile-home court area: >= 5 acres · R-M mobile-home lot area: >= 7500 square feet (excluding road right-of-way)

    “Each lot provided for occupancy of a single mobile home shall have an area of not less then seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square fee”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Building setbacks under Cedar County zoning; the applicable setback depends on the zoning district.

    • The county states that the legal description and address are needed to determine the applicable zoning information.
    “Setbacks are different for each zoning district. We need to know the legal description and address.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Buildings and uses in Cedar County zoning districts.
      “Single Family Dwellings . . . . . . . . Side/15 feet, Rear/25 feet”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in Cedar County zoning districts.

    • In A-1, structures intended for human occupancy may not exceed 35 feet; other structures are not restricted by that cited A-1 provision.
    • Other districts have separate height rules.

    A-1 maximum height for human-occupancy structures: <= 35 feet (all other structures are not restricted by the cited provision)

    “Maximum height for structures intended for human occupancy shall be thirty-five (35) feet; all others are not restricted.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural nonresidential buildings and structures in AG Agricultural Residential Districts and improvements valued at $1,000 or less.

    • The exemption is limited to agricultural nonresidential buildings or structures in AG Agricultural Residential Districts and improvements valued at $1,000 or less.
    • Other applicable county, state, and federal requirements may still apply.

    improvement exemption threshold: <= 1000 USD (improvements valued at $1,000 or less)

    “A building permit shall not be required for agricultural (nonresidential) buildings or structures in the AG Agricultural Residential Districts”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and lot creation subject to Cedar County zoning and subdivision regulations.

    • The zoning regulations require applicable lots to be platted in accordance with subdivision regulations.
    • Some lot exemptions require at least 5 acres, legal access to an improved street or county road, and soil suitable for septic or other sanitation requirements.

    exempt lot minimum area: >= 5 acres (for the quoted existing-farmstead exemption)

    “the lot is platted in accordance with the Subdivision Regulations”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in Cedar County special flood hazard areas identified on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map, including numbered and unnumbered A Zones and AE, AO, and AH Zones.

    • No development may be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered in identified special flood hazard areas without full compliance with the floodplain resolution and other applicable regulations.
    • Certain low-damage, non-obstructing floodway uses may be permitted if they do not require structures, fill, storage materials, or equipment and do not adversely affect channel or drainage capacity.
    • Structures, fill, or storage in the floodway require a special-use permit.
    “no development shall be located, extended, converted or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this resolution and other applicable regulations.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Cedar County building-permit application, review, issuance, and appeal process.

    • Applications must include a plot plan with specified site and structure information.
    • The Zoning Administrator approves or disapproves within 30 days of receipt.
    • Required fees must be received before prompt issuance after approval.
    • Disapproval must state reasons in writing on the plans.
    • Appeals must be made in writing to the Board of Adjustment within 10 days after filing of the determination.

    application decision deadline: 30 days (from receipt of application) · appeal deadline: 10 days (after determination is filed)

    “shall either approve or disapprove such application within thirty (30) days of receipt of same.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Cedar County building-permit application process.
      “Need two (2) identical sets of plans at the time of application, including a plot plan, footing detail, wall detail, roof detail and floor plan.”

Nebraska rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable

    A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property under Nebraska's Contractor Registration Act.

    • The exemption means the person is not a contractor for purposes of the Contractor Registration Act.
    • The exemption applies to work on the person's own property.
    • The statute separately states that a person earning less than five thousand dollars annually for construction services is also not a contractor for purposes of the Act.
    • The exemption does not exempt a contractor from withholding requirements under the Nebraska Revenue Act of 1967.
    • This is a contractor-registration exemption and does not establish exemption from applicable building permits, inspections, building codes, electrical requirements, or other local or state approvals.

    annual construction-services earnings threshold: < 5000 USD (Separate statutory basis for not being a contractor under the Act; the own-property exemption has no stated dollar threshold.)

    “Any person who performs work or has work performed on his or her own property or any person who earns less than five thousand dollars annually for construction services is not a contractor for purposes of the Contractor Registration Act.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Nebraska's state building code, including state-owned or state-agency buildings and local jurisdictions as specified by Nebraska law.

    • The adopted code consists of the 2018 International Building Code with stated exceptions, the 2018 International Residential Code with stated exceptions, the 2018 International Existing Building Code with a stated exception, the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code, and minimum radon-resistant construction standards.
    • The state building code applies to all buildings and structures owned by the state or a state agency.
    • It applies in a county, city, or village that elects to adopt it as its local code.
    • It also applies in a county, city, or village that has not adopted an authorized local code within two years after an update to the state building code.
    • The default state-code rule does not apply to construction on a farm or for farm purposes.
    • A local jurisdiction may instead adopt a code that conforms generally with the state building code, subject to the requirements and exceptions in section 71-6406.

    International Building Code edition: 2018 (Except section 101.4.3 and chapter 29; section 305.2.3 applies to a facility having twelve or fewer children; section 310.4.1 applies to a care facility for twelve or fewer persons.) · International Residential Code edition: 2018 (Except section R313 and chapters 25 through 33.) · International Existing Building Code edition: 2018 (Except section 809.) · Uniform Plumbing Code edition: 2018 · local-code adoption deadline after state-code update: 2 years (If no authorized local code is adopted, the state building code applies, except to construction on a farm or for farm purposes.)

    “(1) There is hereby created the state building code. The Legislature hereby adopts by reference:”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping on state or county public highways, roadside areas, parks, and other property acquired for highway or roadside park purposes in Nebraska.

    • Camping is unlawful except at places designated as campsites by the Department of Transportation, the county, or another governmental entity owning or controlling the property.
    • The statute excludes certain lands transferred or leased to the Game and Parks Commission and other lands controlled by the Game and Parks Commission or a natural resources district, which are governed under separate statutes.
    • Camping includes temporary lodging out of doors in a sleeping bag, tent, trailer, station wagon, pickup camper, camper-bus, or other vehicle.
    • Violation is a Class V misdemeanor and may require reimbursement for campsite damage.

    penalty: Class V misdemeanor

    “It shall be unlawful to camp on any state or county public highway, roadside area, park, [...] except at such places as are designated campsites”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny houses produced or sold in Nebraska and classified as manufactured homes, modular housing units, or recreational vehicles, including park model recreational vehicles.

    • The Nebraska Public Service Commission states that tiny houses can be built as either a manufactured home, modular housing unit, or recreational vehicle.
    • For a park model recreational vehicle under current Nebraska law, the unit must be designed and marketed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use; must not be permanently affixed to real property for use as a permanent dwelling; must be built on a single chassis mounted on wheels; must have a gross trailer area not exceeding 400 square feet in the setup mode; and must be certified by the manufacturer as complying with ANSI A119.5, 2025 edition.
    • LB1147 enacted the 400-square-foot park-model limit and specified the 2020 ANSI A119.5 edition; its emergency clause states that the act takes effect when passed and approved according to law.
    • State classification or construction compliance does not establish unrestricted land-use occupancy. County zoning resolutions may regulate the location, size, and uses of structures including house trailers and automobile trailers, and may regulate uses of buildings and land in unincorporated areas.
    • County zoning powers do not apply within incorporated cities or villages, or areas where a city or village has been granted and is exercising zoning jurisdiction. Local zoning, building, utility, health, and other requirements may therefore impose additional conditions.

    park model gross trailer area: <= 400 square feet (Measured in the setup mode.) · park model chassis: single chassis mounted on wheels · park model permanent-affixation: false (The unit must not be permanently affixed to real property for use as a permanent dwelling.)

    “(16) Park model recreational vehicle means a vehicular unit which meets the following criteria: (a) Is designed and marketed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use; (b) Is not permanently affixed to real property for use as a permanent dwelling; (c) Is built on a single chassis mounted on wheels with a gross trailer area not exceeding four hundred square feet in the set up mode; and (d) Is certified by the manufacturer as complying with the ANSI A119.5 Park Model Recreational Vehicle Standard of the American National Standards Institute, 2025 edition;”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater treatment systems serving dwellings and non-dwellings in Cedar County.

    • A system may instead connect to a public sewer system or other wastewater works.
    • State Title 124 and related state requirements apply.
    “The Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Program administers regulations meant to protect surface water and groundwater as well as public health and welfare”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • State — Nebraska onsite wastewater systems, including systems in Cedar County, subject to separate local requirements.
      “The Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Program administers regulations meant to protect surface water and groundwater as well as public health and welfare through the use of standardized design requirements, the certification of onsite professionals, the review of plans for subdivision development and the permitting of systems that because of large size, handling of non-domestic wastes, or siting issues require a site specific evaluation.”
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Onsite wastewater treatment systems statewide in Nebraska, including septic systems, holding tanks, lagoons, mound systems, and other decentralized systems.
      “Any local requirements (city, county) are separate from and in addition to the requirements found in Title 124 that apply statewide.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    Onsite wastewater treatment systems in Cedar County under Nebraska Title 124, administered by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment.

    • For a system not covered by a general permit, the owner or designee must obtain a construction permit before construction.
    • Title 124 also requires an operating permit before wastewater discharge to or any use of the onsite system when a permit application is required.
    • A properly functioning system may receive minor structural or mechanical repairs without a construction permit.
    • A temporary modification of a failed system may be made without a permit to prevent surface discharge or reduce a public-health threat, but it must be registered and may not operate more than four months without Department approval.
    • Existing systems require a new construction and/or operating permit or general-permit coverage in the listed circumstances, including failure, unauthorized discharge, non-exempt alteration or repair, adverse change in use, service to a different facility, reconstruction after an event rendering a structure unsuitable for occupancy, or a setback encroachment.

    subdivision review threshold: < 3 acres (Title 124 requires Department subdivision review and approval before construction of a development area where an onsite system is proposed on a lot less than three acres.) · temporary modification operating period: <= 4 months (Without Department approval.)

    “Most onsite wastewater systems in Nebraska are constructed under a General Permit, which does not require a construction permit from the State of Nebraska. However, some systems will require a permit as a result of the quantity or quality of the wastewater generated or site conditions that do not meet General Permit requirements.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Onsite wastewater systems in Cedar County under Nebraska Title 124.
      “A permit is required for onsite wastewater systems that: Handle flows of 1,000 gallons per day or more Manage non-household wastewater Are not covered under “Authorization by Rule” (Title 124, Chapter 3, Section 002)”
    • Limited — Onsite wastewater treatment systems in Cedar County subject to Nebraska Title 124 and administered by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
      “When a permit application is required, Title 124 requires a construction permit prior to any onsite system construction and an operating permit prior to wastewater discharge to or any use of the onsite system.”
    • Limited — Onsite wastewater systems statewide where system size, non-domestic waste handling, or siting issues require a site-specific evaluation and permitting; ordinary systems also remain subject to applicable Title 124 compliance and registration rules.
      “Most onsite wastewater systems in Nebraska are constructed under “Authorization by Rule” which does not require a construction permit [...] However, some systems will require a permit”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Inspection of private onsite wastewater treatment systems statewide in Nebraska.

    • Inspection must be carried out or supervised by a certified professional, a Nebraska-licensed professional engineer, or a Nebraska-registered environmental health specialist.
    • The statute allows the Director by contract to delegate onsite wastewater inspection and registration to a governmental subdivision with a sufficiently stringent program and enforcement authority.
    “A private onsite wastewater treatment system shall not be [...] inspected [...] unless the [...] inspection [...] is carried out or supervised by either a certified professional”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Off-grid wastewater sanitation using an onsite wastewater treatment system, including septic systems, holding tanks, lagoons, or mound systems, statewide in Nebraska.

    • The onsite system must comply with Title 124.
    • Only a properly certified professional may inspect, repair, pump, or install an onsite septic system.
    • The wastewater directed to the onsite system is limited to domestic wastewater.
    • Any local city or county requirements apply separately.
    “households depend on septic systems [...] for wastewater treatment. [...] the Nebraska Department [...] regulates these systems through Title 124”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Off-grid onsite wastewater sanitation for dwellings and non-dwellings generating wastewater in Cedar County.
      “Onsite wastewater treatment systems include septic tanks, holding tanks, small lagoons, and other decentralized wastewater treatment systems”
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Residential wastewater treatment not connected to a public sewer in Cedar County.
      “A dwelling or non-dwelling that generates wastewater must have an onsite wastewater treatment (OWT) system that complies with Title 124 or be connected to a public sewer system or other wastewater works.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction or modification of water wells in Nebraska groundwater management areas, on land owned or controlled by the person constructing the well.

    • Before commencing construction, the applicant must apply to the district in which the well will be located, using district forms.
    • No permit is required for test holes or dewatering wells intended for use for ninety days or less.
    • No permit is required for a single water well designed and constructed to pump fifty gallons per minute or less.
    • A district may exempt replacement water wells by rule and regulation.
    • A district may require a permit for a well designed and constructed to pump fifty gallons per minute or less when it is commingled, combined, clustered, or joined with another well or water source, excluding a water source used to water range livestock; combined wells are treated as one well and their combined capacity is used as the rated capacity.
    • In groundwater management areas where regulations have been imposed to control declining groundwater levels, a district may require permits for each well or categories of wells designed and constructed to pump fifty gallons per minute or less, except water sources required for human needs relating to health, fire control, or sanitation and water sources used to water range livestock.
    • The district must review the application and issue or deny the permit within thirty days after filing.
    • The application requires a fifty-dollar filing fee payable to the district.
    • The application must include the applicant's name and post-office address, proposed use, intended location, size, type and description, estimated depth if known, estimated capacity in gallons per minute, irrigation acreage and legal description if applicable, non-irrigation use description if applicable, replacement-well registration number if applicable, and other information required by the district.
    • A person who failed to obtain a required permit must apply for a late permit, accompanied by a two-hundred-fifty-dollar fee and the same information required for an ordinary application.
    • A person must apply before modifying a well that was previously exempt into one for which a permit would otherwise be required.

    pump capacity threshold: <= 50 gallons per minute (Single wells at or below this threshold are exempt unless a district rule requires a permit under the statutory exceptions.) · ordinary application filing fee: 50 USD (Payable to the district.) · late permit application fee: 250 USD (Applies when a required permit was not obtained.) · district decision deadline: 30 days (Measured after the application is filed.) · dewatering intended-use period: <= 90 days (Test holes and dewatering wells intended for use for ninety days or less do not require a permit.)

    “shall, before commencing construction, apply with the district in which the water well will be located for a permit on forms provided by the district”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction of water wells on Cedar County parcels that lie within a groundwater management area; the applicable natural resources district administers the permit under Nebraska law.
      “Any person who intends to construct a water well in a management area in this state on land which he or she owns or controls shall, before commencing construction, apply with the district in which the water well will be located for a permit on forms provided by the district, except that (a) no permit shall be required for test holes or dewatering wells with an intended use of ninety days or less, (b) no permit shall be required for a single water well designed and constructed to pump fifty gallons per minute or less, and (c) a district may provide by rule and regulation that a permit need not be obtained for water wells defined by the district to be replacement water wells.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Wastewater service for dwellings and non-dwellings generating wastewater statewide in Nebraska.

    • The property must have an onsite wastewater treatment system complying with Title 124, or be connected to a public sewer system or other wastewater works.
    • Local city and county requirements are separate from and in addition to statewide Title 124 requirements.
    “A dwelling or non-dwelling that generates wastewater must have an onsite wastewater treatment (OWT) system [...] or be connected to a public sewer system”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Wastewater service for dwellings and non-dwellings generating wastewater in Cedar County.
      “must have an onsite wastewater treatment system that complies with state regulations or be connected to a public sewer system or other wastewater works.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New, relocated, or altered private driveways and commercial approach roads connecting to State Highway rights of way.

    • No permits will be issued for driveways or approach roads to private property where the Department has acquired all or portions of the rights of access.
    • Applications must use the Department-furnished form.
    • Hard-surfaced driveway and approach-road applications go to the Department of Roads; unsurfaced driveway applications go to the proper District Engineer's office.
    • The driveway or approach road must comply with permit conditions and must not alter highway drainage or side ditches.
    • A certified check is required as a guarantee; its amount is determined after application and based on the extent of proposed work.
    “Any person desiring to construct a new driveway or approach road or any person desiring to relocate or alter an existing driveway or approach road shall apply for a permit to do so.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term lodging operations in Nebraska, including hotels, tourist homes, private homes rented in whole or in part, campgrounds, and RV pads or hookups.

    • A separate lodging tax permit is required for each hotel.
    • The permit is issued only after examination and approval.
    • The permit is not assignable and is valid only for the named operator, location, and transaction of business.
    • The permit must be conspicuously displayed.
    • Operating without a permit or after suspension is a misdemeanor; conviction may result in a fine up to $500 per day.
    • The cited state rule addresses lodging-tax permitting and does not establish statewide zoning approval for short-term rentals.

    maximum fine for operation without permit after conviction: <= 500 USD per day

    “Every person engaged in the business of operating a hotel in this state where the public may, for a consideration, obtain sleeping accommodations, must file an application with the Nebraska Department of Revenue for a Nebraska lodging tax permit.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Nebraska DWEE air-quality construction permit applications.

    • The fee is non-refundable.
    • The fee is based on facility-wide potential to emit and the applicable pollutant thresholds.
    • Submit the fee with the completed construction permit application.
    • Payment must be by check or money order payable to the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment; electronic payments are not currently accepted.

    fee: 250 USD (Facility-wide PTE less than 50 tons per year of any listed air pollutant, or less than 2.5 tons per year of any single HAP, or less than 10 tons per year of any combination of HAPs.) · fee: 1500 USD (Facility-wide PTE is 50 or more but less than 100 tons per year of any listed air pollutant, or 2.5 or more but less than 10 tons per year of any single HAP, or 10 or more but less than 25 tons per year of any combination of HAPs.) · fee: 3000 USD (Facility-wide PTE is 100 tons or more per year of any listed air pollutant, or 10 tons or more per year of any single HAP, or 25 tons or more per year of any combination of HAPs.)

    “Chapter 3, Section 002.01 of Nebraska Administrative Code Title 129 – Nebraska Air Quality Regulations requires that each air quality construction permit application be accompanied by a non-refundable fee.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Nebraska county boards adopting zoning resolutions for county territory outside incorporated cities and villages and outside areas where a city or village has been granted or ceded zoning jurisdiction and is exercising that jurisdiction.

    • The county board may adopt a zoning resolution having the force and effect of law.
    • The zoning resolution may regulate buildings, structures, lot coverage, setbacks, yards, population density, building uses, and land uses for agriculture, forestry, recreation, residence, industry, and trade in the unincorporated area of the county.
    • The powers may not be exercised within incorporated cities or villages or within an unincorporated area over which a city or village has been granted or ceded zoning jurisdiction and is exercising it.
    • A city or village zoning ordinance or amendment controlling an unincorporated area supersedes the county resolution or regulation.
    • If a zoning resolution or regulation affects the Niobrara scenic river corridor, the Niobrara Council must act as provided in section 72-2010.
    • A county board may not prohibit a qualifying manufactured home solely because it is manufactured, but may impose the listed installation and design standards and may not impose additional standards unless uniformly applied to all single-family dwellings in the zoning district.
    • Special districts or zones may be established in areas subject to seasonal or periodic flooding.
    “to adopt a zoning resolution, which shall have the force and effect of law;”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Nebraska counties adopting, administering, enforcing, and requiring permits under local building or construction codes for buildings, including residential construction, in unincorporated areas.

    • A county may enact, administer, or enforce a local building or construction code only if it adopts the state building code or adopts a building or construction code that conforms generally with the state building code.
    • A local code may include special or differing standards only within the statutory conformity rules, including standards addressing construction costs, safety, durability, efficiency, best practices, or special local conditions.
    • A local code must be regularly updated; generally, the most recently enacted state building code or a conforming code must be adopted within two years after an update to the state building code.
    • If a county does not adopt a code as authorized within two years after an update to the state building code, the state building code applies in the county, except that it does not apply to construction on a farm or for farm purposes.
    • A county may adopt administrative amendments concerning enforcement organization, staff qualifications, plan examination, inspections, appeals, permits, and fees, and may publish those amendments separately from the code.
    • Under section 23-172, county-adopted codes and the building-permit or occupancy-permit requirements imposed by those codes or sections 23-114.04 and 23-114.05 apply throughout the county except within incorporated cities or villages and except within an unincorporated area where a city or village has been granted zoning jurisdiction and is exercising that jurisdiction.
    • Under section 23-114.04, permits are required before erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or conversion of a nonfarm building or structure within a zoned area; a permit may be withheld when the proposed purpose conflicts with applicable district zoning regulations.
    • Section 23-114.04 permits reasonable county permit-fee schedules and requires written plans, including sanitation, plumbing, and sewage-disposal information, that fully conform to zoning regulations before permits issue.
    • Section 23-172 states that nothing in that section creates an obligation for the county to inspect plumbing work to determine compliance with the plumbing code.
    “Any county, city, or village may enact, administer, or enforce a local building or construction code if or as long as such county, city, or village: (i) Adopts the state building code; or (ii) Adopts a building or construction code that conforms generally with the state building code.”

Set by your township or city, not the county

In Nebraska, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Cedar County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your township or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.

  • Lot coverage
  • Living in an RV
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Cedar County, Nebraska

Is Cedar County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Cedar County scores 48/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (28.8″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.

Do you need a building permit in Cedar County, Nebraska?

Cedar County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), Onsite Wastewater Program. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Cedar County, Nebraska?

Land in Cedar County runs about $6,435 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Cedar County?

Cedar County gets about 28.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 21.4% of years.

How remote is Cedar County?

A representative private-land location has about 30,335 people within a 30-minute drive and 818,381 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Cedar compares in Nebraska

Compare side-by-side →See all 93 Nebraska counties ranked →