Bolthole Index

Custer County, Nebraska

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

46Index Score / 100
#51 of 93 in Nebraska

Unincorporated Custer County, Nebraska requires a county zoning permit before a house or other structure is erected, moved, enlarged or structurally altered1. County zoning applies outside municipal zoning jurisdiction; the Village of Arnold has its own zoning23. Nebraska administers septic requirements, with separate local approvals possible45. A new or changed use needs a Certificate of Zoning Compliance before occupancy6.

At a glance

Building permit
A county zoning permit is required before construction or moving a structure1
Zoning
Yes, throughout the unincorporated county area7
Septic
Nebraska handles septic; registration and applicable state and local approvals are required4895
Floodplain
County approval is required before a zoning permit for floodplain development10
RV living
RV-park stays are seasonal; ordinary private-parcel occupancy remains unconfirmed1112
Tiny home
Allowed by type, with county siting and design conditions13
Permit fee
$50 for a zoning permit or certificate of compliance on the published fee page14
Septic soils
About 21.8% are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field15

Who to call

Zoning

Custer County Planning and Zoning

Zoning permits, zoning and conditional-use review, subdivision review, and county floodplain approval

(308) 872-2410

zoning@custercountyne.gov

431 S 10th, Broken Bow, NE 68822

Septic permits

Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite wastewater standards, registration, professional certification, subdivision review and site-specific permits

(402) 471-4285

DWEE.onsite@nebraska.gov

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

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

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

Yes. Rural construction must start with county zoning approval: Custer County requires a zoning permit before a building or structure is erected, moved, enlarged or structurally altered1. The Nebraska state building code applies when the county has not adopted a qualifying local code, with a farm-purpose exception; we could not confirm a separate county code adoption or routine inspection program1612. Development in a regulated floodplain needs county approval before the zoning permit can issue17. A new or changed use cannot be occupied until the Zoning Administrator issues a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, unless an authorized appeal, variance or conditional use provides otherwise6.

Who handles Custer County building and zoning permits?

Custer County Planning and Zoning is the first stop because the office evaluates zoning and conditional-use permits, reviews subdivisions and administers county zoning12. Call (308) 872-2410, email zoning@custercountyne.gov, or visit 431 S 10th in Broken Bow, Nebraska12. Permit forms are available at the Zoning Office in the Custer County Courthouse18. The application calls for a plot plan and project details including lot dimensions, parking, water supply, sewage disposal, erosion control, soil conditions and permeability19. The published fee page lists $50 for a zoning permit or certificate of compliance and $25 for a floodplain-development application, but gives no effective date14. Ask Planning and Zoning to confirm the current fee and every required review before filing12.

Does Custer County have zoning?

Yes. Custer County administers zoning throughout the unincorporated county, except where municipal annexation or municipal zoning jurisdiction displaces county authority72. Village of Arnold has its own zoning; Nebraska onsite-wastewater requirements still apply, and Arnold requires a Village Superintendent permit before private sewage-system construction when public sewer is unavailable3420. The published county districts are AG-G, AG-T, AH, VAD and WP, with an official zoning map adopted as part of the resolution21. Agricultural district tables include road-centerline, side, rear and height limits, but parcel overlays and use-specific rules may differ2223. Unincorporated Custer County allows one accessory dwelling per lot in districts identified by the land-use matrix, subject to a conditional-use permit, shared access, district setback and height limits, and generally shared utilities24. The owner must live on the property and file a deed restriction prohibiting separate ADU sale before the ADU zoning permit24. Short-term rentals are limited to a primary residence or an accessory dwelling on the same property, exclude multifamily and party rentals, and require applicable lodging taxes and life-safety compliance25.

How do septic permits work in Custer County?

Nebraska's Onsite Wastewater Program administers septic requirements in Custer County, but local requirements may be separate from state Title 124 approval45. Inside Arnold, private sewage-system construction when public sewer is unavailable also needs a written permit signed by the Village Superintendent20. Construction, reconstruction, alteration, modification or a non-exempt repair must follow the state process: qualifying systems may use general-permit coverage, while systems outside that coverage need a construction permit before work and an operating permit before use9. New or changed systems must also be registered with the state8. A dwelling that generates wastewater must use a compliant onsite system, connect to public sewer or use other wastewater works; the wastewater rule does not cover electric or natural-gas hookups26. Subdivision review applies when onsite wastewater is proposed on a lot smaller than three acres27. Call the Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Program at (402) 471-4285 or email DWEE.onsite@nebraska.gov28. Only about 21.8% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so arrange a site evaluation before buying15.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Custer County?

Custer County allows tiny houses by type, subject to county rules13. A site-built tiny house needs a habitable room of at least 120 square feet, other habitable rooms of at least 70 square feet except kitchens, required facilities, utilities, egress and a foundation; it cannot be built in a floodplain13. An RV, park-model or camper type must be 400 square feet or less, retain its wheels and axles, remain towable or self-propelled, and serve as temporary living quarters13. In a county-regulated RV park or campground, an RV or trailer may be occupied for no more than four continuous months in a 12-month period and may remain afterward only in storage11. That park rule does not settle RV occupancy on an ordinary private parcel, so ask Custer County Planning and Zoning before planning to live in one during construction12.

Building a home in Custer County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Custer County Planning and Zoning to confirm jurisdiction, the zoning district, allowed use, exact setbacks and subdivision review22129.
  2. Confirm legal access; a new, moved or altered driveway connecting to a state-highway right of way requires a Nebraska permit30.
  3. Check the floodplain before siting improvements because County Floodplain Administrator approval must precede a zoning permit there17.
  4. Prepare the plot plan and required water, wastewater, parking, erosion and soil information19.
  5. Submit the county zoning application before erecting, moving, enlarging or structurally altering the house1.
  6. Arrange a compliant wastewater system, registration and any required state permits931.
  7. Obtain the Certificate of Zoning Compliance before occupancy6. An owner working on the owner's property is exempt from contractor registration, not from project approvals32.

What should you check before buying land in Custer County?

Confirm the zoning district and jurisdiction with Custer County Planning and Zoning before relying on a listing's description of allowed use212. Check the building site against floodplain mapping because regulated floodplain development needs county approval before the zoning permit17. Order a parcel-specific septic evaluation because only about 21.8% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field15. For a private well, Nebraska lists a $240 registration fee for a single well pumping no more than 50 gallons per minute; a well pumping more than 50 gallons per minute has a $280 registration fee and may also need a local Natural Resources District permit33. Verify legal road access separately because a state-highway driveway requires state approval, while we could not confirm a general county-road driveway permit3012.

Watch-outs

  • Custer County calls its required construction approval a zoning permit; we could not confirm a separate residential building-code permit or routine inspection program, so ask Planning and Zoning what applies112.
  • Floodplain approval comes before the zoning permit when the proposed site is in a regulated floodplain17.
  • State septic approval does not replace separate local requirements; Arnold requires a Village Superintendent permit before private sewage-system construction when public sewer is unavailable520.
  • The seasonal RV limit applies to county-regulated parks and campgrounds; ordinary private-parcel RV occupancy and county-road driveway approval remain unconfirmed, so ask Custer County Planning and Zoning1112.

Sources

  1. Planning and Zoning – Custer County, quoted and re-checked
  2. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  3. Village of Arnold: Chapter 153: Zoning (Custer County), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Wastewater Program, quoted and re-checked
  5. Owner Construction/Operating Permit Checklist, quoted and re-checked
  6. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  7. Planning and Zoning – Custer County, quoted and re-checked
  8. Onsite Wastewater Program, quoted and re-checked
  9. Title 124 Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  10. custercountyne.gov, quoted and re-checked
  11. custercountyne.gov, quoted and re-checked
  12. Custer County Planning and Zoning (custercountyne.gov)
  13. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  14. Zoning Fees – Custer County, quoted and re-checked
  15. 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
  16. Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6403 — State building code; adopted; amendments, quoted and re-checked
  17. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  18. Planning and Zoning – Custer County, quoted and re-checked
  19. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  20. Village of Arnold: §§ 53.025–53.029 Private Sewage Disposal (Custer County), quoted and re-checked
  21. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  23. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  24. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  25. Custer County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  26. Onsite Wastewater Program, quoted and re-checked
  27. Planning and Zoning – Custer County, quoted and re-checked
  28. Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Program (dwee.nebraska.gov)
  29. Planning and Zoning – Custer County, quoted and re-checked
  30. Title 410, Chapter 2 - Driveway and Approach Road Permits (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. Onsite Wastewater Program, quoted and re-checked
  32. Nebraska Revised Statute 48-2104 — Registration required (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Landowners/Public – DWEE Nebraska, quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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

Unlike 4 of its 6 neighbors, Custer County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleCuster CountyDawson CountyBlaine CountyLoup CountyValley CountySherman CountyLogan County
Building permitRequiredLimitedNot requiredRequiredLimitedLimitedRequired
County zoningYesYesNoYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsNE Dept. of Env. & EnergyNE DEENE Dept. of WaterNE Dept. of WaterNE Dept. of Env. & EnergyNE Dept. of WaterNE Dept. of Env. & Energy

County locator

Custer County in Nebraska

46
County map
Custer County highlighted among the Nebraska counties · colored by Index score

How Custer County scores

Seclusion80100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency19100% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability42100% ev.
Property Autonomy53100% ev.
Carry Cost74100% 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 →

$184kTypical home
1.2%Property tax
$2,892Land / acre
24.3"Annual rain
19.3% of yrsSevere drought
11.1 / yr (+9.2)Mid-century 100°F days
23.8 daysMid-century dry spell
1.39" (+3.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.52×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,302Home insurance / yr
0.5% / yrInsurance growth
1.73%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
6,725People within 30 min
301,844People within 2 hr
2,137Radius comparison (15 mi)
4.1People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
71.1%Land at 15% slope or less
21.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
358,824 acWorkable land screen
6.5%Wooded land
13.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac
49.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Custer 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: Algernon Township · Village of Anselmo · Ansley Township · Village of Ansley · Arnold Township · Berwyn Township · Village of Berwyn · Broken Bow · Broken Bow Township · Village of Callaway · Cliff Township · Comstock Township · Village of Comstock · Corner Township · Custer Township · Delight Township · Douglas Grove Township · East Custer Township · Elim Township · Elk Creek Township · Garfield Township · Grant Township · Hayes Township · Kilfoil Township · Lillian Township · Loup Township · Village of Mason City · Village of Merna · Milburn Township · Myrtle Township · Village of Oconto · Ryno Township · Sargent · Sargent Township · Spring Creek Township · Triumph Township · Victoria Township · Wayne Township · West Union Township · Westerville Township · Wood River Township

Answers from the rulebook for Custer County

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

Custer County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and structures in the county zoning jurisdiction, including houses and additions.

    • A zoning permit must be issued before erection, moving, addition, or structural alteration.
    • The county page lists houses, commercial businesses, home-based businesses, signs, towers, feedlots, grain storage, confined feeding facilities, bulk plants, and additions among uses requiring permits.
    • Floodplain construction or development also requires a permit.
    “Please remember to apply for permits before starting construction or moving a building.  No building or structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a Zoning Permit having first been issued by the Custer County Zoning Administrator.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New, altered, converted, or enlarged uses or occupancy of buildings or premises under county zoning jurisdiction.

    • The county document calls this a Certificate of Zoning Compliance or occupancy permit.
    • Issuance requires conformity with the zoning resolution unless written authorization is provided through an appeal, variance, or conditional-use approval.
    • The certificate remains effective while the use remains in accordance with it.
    “It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises or both or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall have been issued therefore by the Zoning Administrator”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning regulations administered by Custer County for the unincorporated county area.

    • The county page states that the planning and zoning regulations were approved and adopted by the Custer County Board of Supervisors on January 27, 2004.
    • The regulations page identifies a current zoning-regulations document updated May 27, 2025.
    “prepares and updates the zoning and subdivision regulations”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    County aggregate of county and incorporated-municipality zoning; county zoning applies where municipal annexation or municipal zoning jurisdiction does not displace it.

    • The county regulation expressly states that annexation to an incorporated municipality removes land from the county regulation's jurisdiction.
    • Municipal zoning rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “not including the jurisdiction explicitly granted to a municipality by the Nebraska Reissue Revised Statutes, 1943.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts and official zoning map.

    • The regulations identify AG-G, AG-T, AH, VAD, and WP districts.
    • The official zoning map is adopted by reference and declared part of the resolution.
    • Municipal annexation or extension of municipal zoning jurisdiction removes land from the county resolution's jurisdiction.
    “AG-G General Agricultural District AG-T Transitional Agricultural District AH Airport Hazard Area District VAD Village Area Development WP Wellhead Protection Overlay District”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Buildings and uses governed by county zoning districts.

    • AG-G and AG-T tables state 58 feet from the centerline of a county road, or 25 feet from the right-of-way when abutting another platted street, road, or highway.
    • Rear and side setbacks are 25 feet from the property line in the cited district tables.
    • Additional use-specific setbacks and no-build zones may apply.

    county-road setback: 58 feet from road centerline (25 feet from right-of-way when abutting another platted street, road, or highway) · rear setback: 25 feet from property line · side setback: 25 feet from property line

    “Rear yard setback shall be 25 feet from property line. (revised5/27/25)”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Uses subject to county zoning district bulk tables.

    • AG-G and AG-T tables list a 40-foot maximum height for single-family dwellings, other permitted uses, conditional uses, seasonal dwellings, and accessory structures.
    • Use-specific and overlay requirements may also apply.

    maximum height: 40 feet (district and use-specific rules may differ)

    “Single-family dwelling 5 200 * ** *** 40 -”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Occupancy of recreational vehicles or trailers in county-regulated recreational-vehicle parks or campgrounds.

    • A recreational-vehicle park requires a county conditional-use permit.
    • A park tract must contain at least two acres.
    • Individual recreational vehicles or trailers are seasonal dwellings and may not be occupied for more than four continuous months in a 12-month period.
    • A vehicle may remain on site for the remainder of the year only in a stored state.
    • A manufactured home may not be parked in a recreational-vehicle park or campground.

    maximum continuous occupancy: 4 months (in a 12-month period)

    “These Parks are considered as a seasonal business and site and individual recreational vehicles or trailers are considered seasonal dwelling and shall not be occupied for more than four continuous months in a 12-month period. However, a recreational vehicle or trailer may remain on site for the remaining portion of the year in a stored state.”
  • Tiny homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Site-built tiny houses and RV/park-model/camper tiny-house types in the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • Site-built tiny houses require at least one habitable room of 120 square feet, other habitable rooms of at least 70 square feet except kitchens, seven-foot horizontal dimensions, seven-foot ceiling heights in specified spaces, toilet facilities, kitchen and sink, heating/cooling, code-compliant electrical, egress, and foundations.
    • Site-built tiny houses may not be constructed in a floodplain.
    • RV/park-model/camper units must be on a single chassis, be 400 square feet or less, remain self-propelled or towable, be temporary living quarters, keep wheels and axles, and may not be constructed in a floodplain.

    minimum habitable room: >= 120 square feet · minimum other habitable room: >= 70 square feet (kitchens) · maximum RV/park-model/camper area: <= 400 square feet

    “Tiny houses fall under two separate categories, Site Built and RV/Park Model/Camper.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    One accessory dwelling unit per lot in zoning districts identified by the county land-use matrix.

    • A conditional-use permit is required.
    • The owner must live on the property in either the principal dwelling or ADU.
    • A deed restriction must be filed before the ADU zoning permit and must state that the ADU cannot be sold separately.
    • The ADU must share access and generally share utilities with the principal dwelling.
    • The ADU must meet district setback and height limits.

    maximum ADUs per lot: 1 ADU per lot

    “One accessory dwelling unit per lot may be allowed by Conditional Use Permit”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — One accessory dwelling unit per lot in the indicated county zoning districts.
      “One accessory dwelling unit per lot may be allowed by Conditional Use Permit in the indicated zoning districts in Section 4.07 under the following conditions: 1. The accessory dwelling unit shall fit within the allowable development area of the lot.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and development review in Custer County.

    • The county planning department reviews subdivision plans and prepares subdivision regulations.
    • State onsite-wastewater subdivision review is required before construction of a development area where an onsite system is proposed on any lot less than three acres.

    lot size threshold for state onsite-wastewater subdivision review: < 3 acres (Applies where an onsite wastewater treatment system is proposed on any lot.)

    “The Planning Department evaluates zoning changes and zoning/conditional use permits, prepares County’s comprehensive plan, reviews subdivision plans, prepares and updates the zoning and subdivision regulations and provides staff support to the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and County Board.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision plans and subdivision-related actions in the county zoning jurisdiction.
      “reviews subdivision plans, prepares and updates the zoning and subdivision regulations”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction or development activity in a floodplain, including repair or reconstruction of disaster-damaged structures.

    • A local floodplain-management permit is required for any construction or development activity in a floodplain area.
    • The requirement includes repair or reconstruction of structures damaged by a disaster.
    • The county fee page lists a $25 floodplain development application fee and a $65 floodplain variance fee.

    floodplain development application: 25 USD · floodplain variance: 65 USD

    “permits be obtained for any construction or development activity in a floodplain area”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction or development activity in floodplain areas within the county zoning jurisdiction.
      “permits be obtained for any construction or development activity in a floodplain area”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals in unincorporated Custer County.

    • The short-term rental must be in a primary residential structure or an accessory dwelling unit on the same property.
    • It is not allowed in a multifamily dwelling, including duplexes and attached units.
    • Party rentals are prohibited.
    • Required county and state lodging taxes must be filed.
    • State and federal life-safety codes and permits apply.
    • A permit may be revoked for noncompliance.
    “This section is intended to apply strictly to the use of property for short-term rentals within the unincorporated areas of Custer County.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Custer County zoning and floodplain-related applications.

    • The published fee page does not state an effective date or revision date.

    zoning permit / certificate compliance: 50 USD · variance application: 65 USD · floodplain development application: 25 USD · floodplain variance: 65 USD · comprehensive plan or zoning-regulation amendment application: 80 USD · administrative appeal: 50 USD · conditional use permit: 225 USD · commercial wind energy conversion system: per 1000 USD per turbine

    “Zoning Permit / Certificate Compliance | $50 [...] Commercial Wind Energy Conversion Systems | $1000 / Turbine”
  • Permit processPublished

    County zoning and floodplain permit process.

    • Applicants are instructed to apply before starting construction or moving a building.
    • Permits may be picked up at the Zoning Office at the Custer County Courthouse, 431 South 10th Ave., Broken Bow, Nebraska 68822.
    • The county lists office hours as 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed weekends and holidays.
    • The county planning page says floodplain permits are required for any construction or development activity in a floodplain, including repair or reconstruction of structures damaged by a disaster.
    “apply for permits before starting construction”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — County zoning permit applications.
      “You may pick up the appropriate permits at the Zoning Office”

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:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — The Nebraska state building code as the legally applicable building standard in Custer County when Custer County has not adopted a local building or construction code under Nebraska Revised Statutes section 71-6406; a compliant local code may apply instead.
      “If a county, city, or village does not adopt a code as authorized under subdivision (a) of this subsection within two years after an update to the state building code, the state building code shall apply in the county, city, or village, except that such code shall not apply to construction on a farm or for farm purposes.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Manufactured homes regulated by a Nebraska city of the primary class within its corporate limits or extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction.

    • The city may impose the 900-square-foot minimum; the statute does not make that minimum mandatory in every city.
    • The manufactured home must bear an appropriate seal showing compliance with the Uniform Standard Code for Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles, the Nebraska Uniform Standards for Modular Housing Units Act, or United States Department of Housing and Urban Development standards.
    • The city may also require the same foundation-system, permanent-utility-connection, setback, and minimum-square-footage standards applicable to a site-built single-family dwelling on the same lot.
    • The city may not require additional standards unless uniformly applied to all single-family dwellings in the zoning district.
    • Valid restrictive covenants of record are not superseded.

    minimum floor area: >= 900 square feet (manufactured homes subject to city standards) · minimum exterior width: >= 18 feet (manufactured homes subject to city standards)

    “(i) The home shall have no less than nine hundred square feet of floor area;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Manufactured homes regulated under Nebraska county zoning authority.
      “The county board may also require that manufactured homes meet the following standards: (i) The home shall have no less than nine hundred square feet of floor area;”
  • 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”
  • Who permits septicState

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

    • The Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Program administers the applicable statewide onsite-wastewater regulations.
    • The program covers septic tanks, holding tanks, small lagoons, and other decentralized systems.
    “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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • State — Onsite wastewater systems in Custer County.
      “Title 124 Construction Permit issued by NDEE”
    • 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 permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, or non-exempt repair of onsite wastewater treatment systems in Custer County.

    • A general-permit system may be authorized under general-permit coverage if it meets the permit conditions and Title 124.
    • Systems not covered by a general permit require a construction permit before construction.
    • A construction permit and operating permit for a single system are covered by one application.
    • An operating permit is required before wastewater discharge or use when a permit application is required.
    “When a permit application is required, Title 124 requires a construction permit prior to any onsite system construction”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Onsite wastewater systems in Custer County.
      “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.”
    • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Private onsite wastewater treatment used instead of public sewer.
      “must have an onsite wastewater treatment system”
  • 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 — Water wells in Nebraska, including wells located in Custer County.
      “For single wells pumping more than 50 gpm the current fee is $280 and you may need a permit from your local Natural Resources District”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Wastewater service for dwellings and non-dwellings generating wastewater.

    • The property must have a compliant onsite wastewater treatment system, be connected to public sewer, or use other wastewater works.
    • The rule concerns wastewater sanitation, not electric or natural-gas hookups.
    “A dwelling or non-dwelling that generates wastewater must have an onsite wastewater treatment system that complies with state regulations or be connected to a public sewer system or other wastewater works.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Wastewater service for dwellings and non-dwellings generating wastewater statewide in Nebraska.
      “A dwelling or non-dwelling that generates wastewater must have an onsite wastewater treatment (OWT) system [...] or be connected to a public sewer system”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    County zoning regulations and permit requirements for agricultural-purpose buildings on qualifying Nebraska farmsteads, and county zoning treatment of residences on farmsteads.

    • For purposes of the statute, nonfarm buildings are all buildings except buildings utilized for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of twenty acres or more that produces one thousand dollars or more of farm products each year.
    • The county board may decide whether buildings located on farmsteads used as residences are subject to county zoning regulations and permit requirements.
    • The exemption concerns county zoning and permit requirements; other applicable state, local, health, septic, floodplain, or safety requirements are not resolved by this statute.
    • The statute requires county zoning regulations to be adopted or amended only after adoption of a county comprehensive development plan and receipt of specific planning-commission recommendations.

    qualifying farmstead size: >= 20 acres (farmstead used for agricultural purposes) · annual farm products: >= 1000 USD (farmstead must produce at least this amount of farm products each year)

    “buildings utilized for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of twenty acres or more which produces one thousand dollars or more of farm products each year.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Agricultural buildings on farmsteads of at least 20 acres producing at least $1,000 of farm products annually, in the context of county zoning regulations and permit requirements.
      “For purposes of this section and section 23-114.04, nonfarm buildings are all buildings except those buildings utilized for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of twenty acres or more which produces one thousand dollars or more of farm products each year.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 Custer 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.

  • Minimum lot size
  • Lot coverage
  • Manufactured homes

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Inspections — Building inspections in Custer County.

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 Custer County, Nebraska

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

Custer County scores 46/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: sparse surroundings — about 6,725 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (24.3″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.

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

Custer County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (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 Custer County, Nebraska?

Land in Custer County runs about $2,892 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Custer County?

Custer County gets about 24.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 19.3% of years.

How remote is Custer County?

A representative private-land location has about 6,725 people within a 30-minute drive and 301,844 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 Custer compares in Nebraska

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