Bolthole Index

Lancaster County, Nebraska

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Malcolm, Nebraska

The Village of Malcolm, Nebraska requires a building permit for all construction, remodeling and repairs inside village limits, and the Village Board approves each one after a Planning Commission recommendation12. Septic and lagoon permits are not issued by the village: the Village form sends applicants to the Lancaster County Health Department3. Zoning questions go to the Village Clerk's office, and land outside village limits falls under Lancaster County's rules.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside village limits for residential and commercial work1
Who approves it
Planning Commission recommendation, then Village Board approval2
Inspection fee
$50 for plan review and for each required inspection4
Septic permit
Lancaster County Health Department, not the village3
Well permit
Village well permit required; $50 Village fee5
Owner-builder
Allowed on residential work with a separate Homeowner Acting as Contractor form6

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Malcolm (Village Hall)

Building permit applications, Planning Commission and Village Board review, inspection fees, and village well permits for property inside Malcolm

(402) 796-2250

137 East 2nd Street, PO Box 228, Malcolm, Nebraska 68402

Septic permits

Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department

Septic and lagoon permitting for Malcolm addresses, per the Village's own forms

(402) 441-8000

health@lincoln.ne.gov

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Malcolm means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Malcolm, Nebraska?

Yes. The Village of Malcolm states that all construction, remodeling, repairs or other work on residential or commercial real property inside the village requires a building permit under Village Code §9-1021. The application packet lists new construction, sheds, accessory buildings, decks, fences and other work as permit types7.

Permit fees follow the value of the work. The village's fee schedule starts at $18 for construction valued from $1 to $2,000 and reaches $231.30 plus $3.00 per $1,000 for work of $50,000 and over8. On top of that, the packet adds a $50 fee for plan review and for each required inspection4.

Who issues building permits in Malcolm, and how does approval work?

The Village of Malcolm issues its own building permits; Lancaster County's building office does not handle addresses inside the village. Applicants submit the completed application, blueprints and supporting documents, and full payment of the permit fee by noon on the Wednesday before the Planning Commission meeting2.

The Planning Commission reviews the permit and recommends approval or denial, and the Village Board only considers permits that carry that recommendation unless its chair declares an emergency2. After approval the village sends an approval letter listing inspection fees, and those fees must be paid before construction begins2. The Planning Commission meets on the last Wednesday of each month at Village Hall7.

Does Malcolm have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and setbacks?

Malcolm's permit packet says the proposed use or structure must align with existing zoning regulations, and that a conditional use permit, variance or rezoning may be needed if it does not7. Splitting a lot or creating new lots must also meet subdivision and zoning requirements such as minimum lot size, setbacks and frontage, and a survey and formal platting may be required9.

We could not confirm the village's rules on long-term RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, minimum house size, setbacks, lot coverage or building height. Ask the Village Clerk at Village Hall before you buy a lot or order a home. Lancaster County's zoning resolution covers only the unincorporated parts of the county, so the county's special-permit and accessory-dwelling rules do not apply inside Malcolm10.

How do septic permits work inside Malcolm?

Septic and lagoon permits for property in Malcolm run through the Lancaster County Health Department, not the village; the Village's own well-permit form directs applicants there3. The county's on-site wastewater regulation says no one may build a new on-site wastewater treatment system without a construction permit issued by the Health Director11.

A lagoon also needs a state permit, according to the village's building permit packet12. Statewide, most Nebraska on-site systems are built under "Authorization by Rule" without a state construction permit, but some systems still require one13. We could not confirm whether connecting to village sewer is mandatory or how close a sewer line must be to trigger it. Lancaster County soils matter too: only about 0.3% rate "not limited" for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation or an engineered system on a vacant lot14.

Do you need a well permit in Malcolm?

Yes. The Village requires a well permit for wells inside village limits, and the form limits wells to domestic use, not irrigation5. The Village fee is $50, and a late permit costs $250 if construction starts before approval5. Wells that pump more than 50 gallons per minute also need a Lower Platte South Natural Resources District permit, and the contractor must register a new water well with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources within 60 days of completion5.

Can you build your own house in Malcolm?

Owner-builders are allowed on residential work, but the village requires a separate "Homeowner Acting as Contractor" form, and the option is not available for commercial property6. Nebraska's contractor-registration exemption for work on your own property does not by itself exempt you from permits or inspections15. Electrical permits and inspections are completed by the State of Nebraska, and proof must reach the village within 10 days after completion4.

Building a home in Malcolm: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Village Clerk about zoning and setbacks for your lot before you design anything7.
  2. Complete the building permit application with blueprints and the fee, and submit it by noon on the Wednesday before the Planning Commission meeting2.
  3. If you are self-performing the work, add the Homeowner Acting as Contractor form6.
  4. Apply to the Lancaster County Health Department for a septic or lagoon permit, or confirm a village sewer connection3.
  5. Get the village well permit if you will drill5.
  6. After Village Board approval, pay the inspection fees in the approval letter before you start2.
  7. Schedule each required inspection: footing and foundation, plumbing, HVAC, framing, insulation and final4.

What stays with Lancaster County, and what to check before you buy

Septic permitting stays with the Lancaster County Health Department even for lots inside Malcolm3. For land outside village limits, the rules are different; see the Lancaster County page for unincorporated Lancaster County. Lancaster County's effective property tax rate is 1.6%16. Before you buy, confirm the lot's zoning with the village, whether the parcel is inside village limits or only within its one-mile jurisdiction, and whether any floodplain applies, since we could not confirm a Malcolm floodplain rule; state law requires a permit for all development in a floodplain17.

Watch-outs

  • The Planning Commission meets only on the last Wednesday of each month, so a permit submitted after the Wednesday-noon deadline waits for the next month7. We could not confirm which building code edition Malcolm enforces or whether it requires a certificate of occupancy; ask the Village Clerk.
  • Malcolm's well permit applies to wells in the village and its one-mile jurisdiction, so ask the village before drilling near the edge of town5.
  • Inspection fees are due before construction begins, and a late well permit costs $25025.
  • Do not assume Lancaster County's rules apply in Malcolm: county zoning covers only unincorporated land10.

Sources

  1. Village of Malcolm Building Permit Application Packet (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  2. Village of Malcolm Building Permit Application Packet (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  3. Village of Malcolm Well Permit Application (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  4. Permits & Inspections | Village of Malcolm (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  5. Village of Malcolm Well Permit Application (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  6. Village of Malcolm Building Permit Application Packet (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  7. Village of Malcolm (Village Hall) (malcolm.ne.gov)
  8. Building Permits; fee schedule (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  9. Village of Malcolm Building Permit Application Packet (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  10. Lancaster County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  11. Village of Malcolm Well Permit Application (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  12. Village of Malcolm Well Permit Application (Village of Malcolm), quoted and re-checked
  13. Onsite Wastewater Program (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. 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
  15. Nebraska Revised Statute 48-2104 — Registration required (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Floodplain Management Q&A: Permits (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Malcolm

Village of Malcolm’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential and commercial construction, remodeling, repairs, and other work on real property inside Malcolm village limits.

    • A completed application, supporting documents, fee payment, Planning Commission recommendation, and Village Board approval are part of the published process.
    “All Construction, remodeling, repairs, or other work on real property, which comprises, Residential or commercial premises shall require a building permit pursuant to Village Code §9-102.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner self-performance of construction work inside Malcolm village limits.

    • A separate Homeowner Acting as Contractor form is necessary.
    • The packet states the option is not available for commercial property.
    “Separate “Homeowner Acting as Contractor” form necessary if Self-Performing work by owner - Not available for commercial property.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction-related permits inside Malcolm village limits.

    • Inspection fees must be paid before construction begins; the packet lists footing/foundation, plumbing, HVAC, framing, insulation, and final building inspections among required inspections.
    • Electrical permits and inspections are completed by the State of Nebraska, and proof must be provided to the Village within 10 days after completion.

    inspection notice: >= 48 hours · inspection fee: 50 USD (For each required inspection; additional, failed, and extraordinary-review inspections are also $50.)

    “In addition, a $50.00 fee will be charged for the plan review and each required inspection, including footing/foundation, deck footings (if not inspected with the foundation), plumbing groundwork, plumbing rough-in, plumbing final, HVAC rough-in, HVAC final, framing, insulation, and the final building inspection.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Septic or lagoon systems proposed in connection with construction inside Malcolm village limits.

    • The Village well-permit form directs applicants to the Lancaster County Health Department for septic or lagoon permitting.
    “A Septic or lagoon permit has been applied for through the Lancaster County Health Department”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Septic or lagoon systems proposed for property inside Malcolm village limits.

    • The Village form identifies the Lancaster County Health Department as the permit channel.
    “No person shall construct a new on-site wastewater treatment system or cause the same to be done without an on-site wastewater treatment system construction permit issued by the Health Director.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Septic or lagoon sanitation proposed inside Malcolm village limits.

    • A septic or lagoon permit must be applied for through the Lancaster County Health Department.
    • The building-permit packet states that a lagoon requires a state permit.
    “No person shall construct a new on-site wastewater treatment system or cause the same to be done without an on-site wastewater treatment system construction permit issued by the Health Director.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Wells constructed inside Malcolm village limits, which are within Malcolm's one-mile jurisdiction.

    • The form limits wells to domestic use and not irrigation.
    • Wells pumping more than 50 gallons per minute require a Lower Platte South NRD permit and a copy submitted to the Village.
    • A site map and $50 Village fee are required.
    • A late Village permit costs $250 if work begins before the permit; water wells must also be registered with Nebraska DNR by the constructing contractor within 60 days after completion.
    • A replacement well requires Lower Platte South NRD permitting and proper abandonment of the prior well.
    • If not constructed and equipped within one year of approval, a new permit is required.

    Village well permit fee: 50 USD · late well permit application fee: 250 USD (Construction and use commenced before obtaining permit.) · NRD permit threshold: > 50 gallons per minute

    “Water well applications are required prior to completing construction and use of the water, if construction and use of the water well is commenced prior to obtaining a permit, a late permit must be obtained from the Village with a $250.00 application fee.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Lot splits or creation of new lots inside Malcolm village limits.

    • The project must comply with subdivision and zoning requirements; a survey and formal platting may be necessary.
    “Subdivision: If the project involves splitting a lot or creating new lots, it must comply with subdivision and zoning requirements (e.g., minimum lot size, setbacks, and frontage). A survey and formal platting may also be necessary.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits inside Malcolm village limits.

    • The schedule may be amended from time to time.
    • The published building packet separately states a $50 plan-review fee and $50 for each required inspection.

    construction value $1-$2,000 fee: 18 USD · construction value $50,000-and-over fee: 231.3 USD (Plus $3.00 per $1,000 thereafter.)

    “$50,000. – and over will be $231.30 plus $3.00/$1,000 thereafter.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential and commercial building permits inside Malcolm village limits.

    • Submit completed application, required blueprints/supporting documents, and full building-permit fee by noon Wednesday before the Planning Commission meeting.
    • The Planning Commission reviews and recommends; the Village Board considers only permits with that recommendation unless its chair deems an emergency.
    • Approval letter, inspection fees, and all applicable fees must be paid before construction begins.
    “At the meeting, the Planning Commission will review the permit and make a recommendation to the Village Board for approval or denial.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Malcolm or Lancaster County directly.

  • Building code adopted — Construction inside Malcolm village limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Malcolm village limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Malcolm village limits.
  • Setbacks — Structures inside Malcolm village limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lots inside Malcolm village limits.
12 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Malcolm publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lancaster County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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