Bolthole Index

Merrick County, Nebraska

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

43Index Score / 100
#62 of 93 in Nebraska

Unincorporated Merrick County, Nebraska requires a county zoning permit, issued by the Zoning Administrator, before covered construction, alteration, movement, occupancy or water and sewer connection work, and we could not confirm a separate county structural building permit.1 County zoning excludes areas where a city or village exercises its own jurisdiction.2 Septic permits are not a county matter: the state's onsite-wastewater program regulates septic systems everywhere in Merrick County, cities and villages included, and county sanitation rules also apply.34

At a glance

Building permit
A county zoning permit is required for covered construction, occupancy and utility-connection work1
Zoning
Yes; county zoning applies outside municipal zoning jurisdiction25
Septic
State-regulated; a construction and operating permit is required when Title 124 calls for one67
RV living
In an approved RV park, occupancy is limited to four continuous months; other private-land use was not confirmed8
Tiny home
County occupancy was not confirmed; Nebraska classifies tiny homes by how they are built9
Owner-builder
Own-property work is exempt from contractor registration, not from zoning permits101
Floodplain work
Development in a floodplain requires a permit11
RM-1 mobile homes
A leased mobile home must provide at least 500 square feet of livable floor area12

Who to call

Building permits

Merrick County Planning & Zoning

Zoning permits, applications, zoning requirements, complaints and violations for Merrick County and the Villages of Chapman, Palmer and Silver Creek

402-604-0226

1510 18th Street Central City, NE 68826

Septic permits

Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment Onsite Wastewater Program

State onsite-wastewater rules, certified professionals, system registration, 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 9, 2026.

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

Yes. Unincorporated Merrick County requires a zoning permit before covered excavation, construction, reconstruction, enlargement, alteration, movement, occupancy or water and sewer connection work1. The requirement is a county zoning permit; we could not confirm a separate county structural building-code permit or inspection program, so ask Merrick County Planning & Zoning what review applies13. The county issues no zoning permits for residential dwellings, mobile homes or manufactured homes on property adjoining a county road classified as minimum-maintenance or unimproved, so confirm the road's class before you buy.14 Nebraska's state building code can apply where a local jurisdiction has not timely adopted an authorized local code, except for construction on a farm or for farm purposes15. An owner may perform or arrange work on the owner's own property without contractor registration, but that exemption does not remove the zoning-permit requirement101.

Who issues building permits and zoning approval in Merrick County, Nebraska?

Merrick County Planning & Zoning issues zoning permits and handles applications, zoning requirements, complaints and violations13. Call 402-604-0226 or visit 1510 18th Street in Central City, Nebraska13. Submit the written application on the Zoning Administrator's form with a site plan showing lot dimensions, building locations and uses, and water and sanitary-sewer facilities when needed; plans must be based on an actual survey, and the lot and building location must be staked before construction16. The Zoning Administrator must issue a written permit or written denial within 15 days after accepting the application16. Permits expire after one year if work is unfinished unless a written extension is obtained1. The current fee and any building inspections remain unconfirmed; ask the office for those details13.

Does Merrick County, Nebraska have zoning?

Yes. Merrick County zoning governs unincorporated land except where an incorporated city or village exercises zoning jurisdiction.2 The county publishes district rules and an official zoning map, so identify the parcel's district before applying general standards.17 Merrick County Planning & Zoning also oversees zoning for the villages of Chapman, Palmer and Silver Creek, whose regulations are published separately; septic permits in those villages still come from the state program.135 Minimum lot size depends on the district: a single-family dwelling needs 3 acres in AG-1 and TA-1, and 8,000 square feet in LSR-1.18 Maximum lot coverage is 10 percent for listed AG-1 uses and 20 percent for listed TA-1 and RR-1 uses.19 In the RR-1 Rural Residential District, setbacks are 30 feet in front, 25 feet in back and 8 feet on the side, with different measurements from a county-road centerline.20 A second dwelling on an agricultural operation is allowed only by conditional use, and only if it is accessory to the operation and under the same ownership.21

How do septic permits work in Merrick County, Nebraska?

The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment administers onsite-wastewater requirements in Merrick County, while separate county sanitation rules also apply3. When Title 124 requires an application, obtain a construction permit before building the system and an operating permit before discharging wastewater or using it7. A newly constructed or changed system must be registered with the department2223. Septic permits and registration come from the state department for every address in the county, not from the zoning office. Reach the Onsite Wastewater Program at (402) 471-4285 or DWEE.onsite@nebraska.gov23. Merrick County prohibits occupying a living-purpose building without an approved waste system; absorption fields must be at least 25 feet from an adjacent property line4. Only 10.5% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so evaluate the site before fixing the house location24.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Merrick County, Nebraska?

Merrick County's located RV rule applies to county-approved RV parks and campgrounds, not every private parcel8. In those parks, an RV or trailer may be occupied for no more than four continuous months in a 12-month period and may remain only in storage for the rest of the year8. An auxiliary tent there is limited to 14 consecutive days25. We could not confirm a general private-land RV occupancy rule, so take the parcel address and proposed duration to Planning & Zoning13. Nebraska may classify a tiny house as a manufactured home, modular unit or recreational vehicle; a park model is temporary living space and cannot be permanently affixed as a permanent dwelling9. County zoning approval still depends on the parcel and unit1.

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

  1. Ask Merrick County Planning & Zoning to confirm the controlling jurisdiction, zoning district, allowed residential use, minimum lot size, setbacks, height limit and the class of the county road serving the parcel2613.
  1. Have the wastewater area evaluated and determine whether the onsite system needs Title 124 construction and operating septic permits from the state7.
  1. Prepare an actual-survey-based site plan showing lot dimensions, buildings, uses, and water and sewer facilities where required; stake the lot and building location16.
  1. Submit the county zoning permit application and confirm any structural-code review or inspections before work begins113.
  1. Obtain a floodplain development permit before development in a mapped floodplain11.
  1. If access connects to a state highway, obtain the state permit before constructing, relocating or altering the driveway27.

What should you check before buying land in Merrick County, Nebraska?

Verify the controlling jurisdiction, zoning district, allowed use, setbacks and legal access with Merrick County Planning & Zoning before closing2613. Review flood maps because all development in a Nebraska floodplain requires a permit11. Test septic feasibility early because only 10.5% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field24. Merrick County requires an approved waste system before a residence or other living-purpose building may be occupied28. Confirm the private-well approval path with the appropriate water authority because we could not confirm the applicable Merrick County rule. If the parcel fronts a state highway, a new, relocated or altered driveway requires a state permit27. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.2%, and the median annual property-tax bill is $1,9692930.

Watch-outs

  • Merrick County requires a zoning permit, but we could not confirm the county's structural building-code edition, inspection schedule or certificate-of-occupancy requirement; ask Planning & Zoning before construction113.
  • Merrick County does not allow occupancy of a residential or other living-purpose building without an approved waste system4.
  • Conventional septic conditions may be difficult because only 10.5% of county soils are rated without severe drain-field limitations24.
  • A driveway connecting to a state highway requires a state permit before it is constructed, relocated or altered27.

Sources

  1. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  2. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Wastewater Program, quoted and re-checked
  4. merrickcounty.ne.gov, quoted and re-checked
  5. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  6. Owner Construction/Operating Permit Checklist, quoted and re-checked
  7. Owner Construction/Operating Permit Checklist, quoted and re-checked
  8. merrickcounty.ne.gov, quoted and re-checked
  9. Housing and Recreational Vehicle (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Nebraska Revised Statute 48-2104 — Registration required (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Floodplain Management Q&A: Permits (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. merrickcounty.ne.gov, quoted and re-checked
  13. Merrick County Planning & Zoning (merrickcounty.ne.gov)
  14. Merrick County, Nebraska Zoning Resolution (2016), quoted and re-checked
  15. Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6403: State building code; adopted; amendments (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  17. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  18. Merrick County, Nebraska Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  19. Merrick County, Nebraska Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  20. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  21. merrickcounty.ne.gov, quoted and re-checked
  22. Onsite Wastewater Program (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment Onsite Wastewater Program (dwee.nebraska.gov)
  24. 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
  25. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  26. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  27. Title 410, Chapter 2 - Driveway and Approach Road Permits (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Merrick County Zoning Resolution 2016, quoted and re-checked
  29. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Median property tax bill: 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 all 6 of its neighbors, Merrick County has countywide zoning.

RuleMerrick CountyHamilton CountyNance CountyHoward CountyHall CountyPolk CountyYork County
Building permitRequiredRequiredLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsNDEENE Dept. of Env. & EnergyNDEENE Dept. of Env. & EnergyNDEENDEENDEE

County locator

Merrick County in Nebraska

43
County map
Merrick County highlighted among the Nebraska counties · colored by Index score

How Merrick County scores

Seclusion50100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency24100% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability35100% ev.
Property Autonomy53100% ev.
Carry Cost64100% 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 →

$236kTypical home
1.2%Property tax
$5,476Land / acre
27.7"Annual rain
18.8% of yrsSevere drought
14.9 / yr (+12.4)Mid-century 100°F days
21.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.7" (+6.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.57×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,445Home insurance / yr
5.4% / yrInsurance growth
2.38%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
44,600People within 30 min
1,277,832People within 2 hr
8,295Radius comparison (15 mi)
15.9People / sq mi
1%Federal land
98.7%Land at 15% slope or less
10.5%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
32,083 acWorkable land screen
5.8%Wooded land
40.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
50.6°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Merrick 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: Central Township · Chapman Township · Village of Chapman · Village of Clarks · Clarksville Township · Lone Tree Township · Loup Township · Mead Township · Midland Township · Village of Palmer · Prairie Creek Township · Prairie Island Township · Silver Creek Township · Village of Silver Creek · Vieregg Township

Answers from the rulebook for Merrick County

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

Merrick County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, movement, occupancy, and water or sewer connection activities regulated by the Merrick County zoning resolution in unincorporated areas.

    • The requirement is for a county zoning permit; the reviewed sources do not establish a separate building-code permit.
    • Temporary zoning permits may be issued for temporary construction-related uses for not more than six months.
    • Permits expire after one year when work has not been completed unless a written extension is obtained.

    permit decision period: 15 days (from acceptance of application) · permit validity: 1 year (unless a written extension is obtained)

    “until a zoning permit shall have been issued therefore by the Zoning Administrator”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Excavating, erecting, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, altering, or moving a building or structure, and specified changes in use or utility connection, in the county zoning jurisdiction.
      “no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered, except in conformity with the provisions of this Resolution herein specified for the district in which it is located and except after receiving a zoning permit from the Merrick County Zoning Administrator”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Merrick County zoning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • The regulations do not include jurisdiction explicitly granted to a municipality by Nebraska law.
    • The resolution was adopted in 2016 and states an effective date of April 12, 2016.
    “The area of jurisdiction shall be all the area within the limits of the county of Merrick, Nebraska, not including the jurisdiction explicitly granted to a municipality by the Nebraska Reissue Revised Statutes, 1943.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning regulation in Merrick County's unincorporated areas, excluding portions where incorporated cities or villages exercise zoning jurisdiction.
      “the use, conditions of use or occupancy of land in the unincorporated areas of the County”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    County aggregate: Merrick County regulates unincorporated areas, while incorporated cities and villages may exercise their own zoning jurisdiction.

    • This is an aggregate conclusion and does not claim the county administers each municipal ordinance.
    • The county forms page separately lists zoning regulations for the Villages of Chapman, Palmer, and Silver Creek.
    “Village of Chapman [...] Chapman Zoning Regulation [...] Village of Palmer [...] Palmer Zoning Regulation [...] Village of Silver Creek [...] Silver Creek Zoning Regulation”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Countywide aggregate of county and village zoning; incorporated jurisdictions have separately published regulations.
      “Merrick County Zoning Regulation [...] Chapman Zoning Regulation [...] Palmer Zoning Regulation [...] Silver Creek Zoning Regulation”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Merrick County zoning districts for unincorporated areas.

    • The resolution publishes AG-1, TA-1, PRC, RR-1, LSR-1, RM-1, UVD-1, C-1, I-1, I-2, PDO, AAA Airport Hazard Area, and FP Floodplain Overlay District sections.
    • Municipal jurisdictions are excluded where Nebraska law grants municipal jurisdiction.
    “For the purpose of these Regulations, the jurisdictional area defined in Section 1.03 is hereby divided into the following districts, the respective symbol for each district being set forth opposite its title:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Merrick County's unincorporated zoning districts and official zoning map.
      “The county is hereby divided into districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map, which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Resolution.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Leased mobile homes in the RM-1 Mobile Home Residential District.

    • The 500-square-foot minimum applies to each mobile home leased.

    minimum livable floor area: >= 500 square feet (Each mobile home leased)

    “Each mobile home leased shall have a minimum 500 square feet of livable floor area.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Minimum lot-area requirements for uses in Merrick County zoning districts, within the county's zoning jurisdiction and excluding jurisdiction explicitly granted to municipalities.

    • The regulations apply to the area within Merrick County not including jurisdiction explicitly granted to a municipality.
    • The required lot area varies by district and by use.
    • Examples include 3 acres for listed AG-1 and TA-1 uses, 8,000 square feet for a single-family detached dwelling in LSR-1, 5,000 square feet for listed RM-1 uses, and 3 acres or 10,000 square feet in UVD-1, C-1, and I-2 depending on wastewater treatment.
    • Public utility and public service uses may be exempt from district lot-size requirements under Section 3.33.
    • A density bonus may not reduce subdivision lots below three acres when lots use private wells and septic systems.

    AG-1 single-family dwelling lot area: 3 acres · TA-1 single-family dwelling lot area: 3 acres · LSR-1 single-family detached dwelling lot area: 8000 square feet · RM-1 single-family dwelling lot area: 5000 square feet · UVD-1 single-family dwelling lot area with on-site treatment: 3 acres (10,000 square feet with community waste treatment) · C-1 permitted use lot area with on-site treatment: 3 acres (10,000 square feet with community waste treatment) · I-2 permitted use lot area with on-site treatment: 3 acres (10,000 square feet with community waste treatment)

    “Single-family dwelling 5,000 70 25 25 8** 35 20”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Lots for single-family dwellings and other listed uses in RM-1.
      “Single-family dwelling 5,000 70 25 25 8** 35 20”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    RR-1 Rural Residential District setbacks in unincorporated Merrick County.

    • Front, rear, and side setbacks have different distances when measured from a county-road centerline.
    • At county-road intersections, permanent structures are prohibited in the no-build zone.
    • RR-1 access must meet County Highway Superintendent specifications.

    front yard: 30 feet (63 feet from centerline of a County Road) · rear yard: 25 feet (58 feet from centerline of a County Road) · side yard: 8 feet (41 feet from centerline of a County Road)

    “Front yard setback shall be 63 feet from the centerline of a County Road, or shall be 30 feet when abutting any other platted property, street, road or highway.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — RM-1 Mobile Home Residential District.
      “When a lot is a corner lot, the side yard setback shall be increased to a minimum of 30 feet.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Maximum lot coverage for uses in Merrick County zoning districts, within the county's zoning jurisdiction and excluding jurisdiction explicitly granted to municipalities.

    • Lot coverage is defined as the portion of a lot or building site occupied by buildings or structures, excluding paved areas, walks, and swimming pools.
    • The maximum coverage varies by district and use.
    • Examples include 10 percent for listed AG-1 uses, 20 percent for listed TA-1 and RR-1 uses, 35 percent for LSR-1 single-family detached dwellings, 30 percent for UVD-1 single-family dwellings with on-site treatment, 40 percent for C-1 listed uses, and 50 percent for I-1 and I-2 listed uses.
    • In LSR-1, total lot coverage of all buildings does not exceed 45 percent under the stated accessory-structure condition.

    AG-1 single-family dwelling maximum coverage: 10 percent · TA-1 single-family dwelling maximum coverage: 20 percent · RR-1 single-family dwelling maximum coverage: 20 percent · LSR-1 single-family detached dwelling maximum coverage: 35 percent · UVD-1 single-family dwelling with on-site treatment maximum coverage: 30 percent · C-1 permitted use maximum coverage: 40 percent · I-1 permitted use maximum coverage: 50 percent · I-2 permitted use maximum coverage: 50 percent

    “Max. Coverage (%) Single-family dwelling 3 100 * ** *** **** 10”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — RM-1 Mobile Home Residential District.
      “Single-family dwelling 5,000 70 25 25 8** 35 20”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildings and structures in the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • Applicable height control depends on the zoning district.
    “each required yard line is increased by at least one foot for each one foot of additional building height above the height regulations for the district in which the building is located.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — RM-1 Mobile Home Residential District.
      “Single-family dwelling 5,000 70 25 25 8** 35 20”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Recreational vehicles and trailers in a county-approved recreational vehicle park or campground.

    • A Conditional Use Permit is required.
    • The tract must be at least two acres.
    • Maximum density is 15 recreational vehicles, trailers, or campsites per acre.
    • Each site must be at least 30 feet by 60 feet and separated from another site by at least 15 feet.
    • Sites must meet road, ordinary-high-water-mark, and exterior-lot-line setbacks; exterior-lot-line setback is at least 50 feet.
    • Each site requires electrical, sanitary sewer, and potable water connections, subject to the stated community-building alternative.
    • A recreational vehicle or trailer may not be occupied for more than four continuous months in a 12-month period, but may remain stored for the rest of the year.
    • A tent may be erected as auxiliary shelter for no more than 14 consecutive days.

    minimum park or campground area: >= 2 acres · maximum density: <= 15 vehicles, trailers, or campsites per acre · maximum occupancy: <= 4 continuous months in a 12-month period (The unit may remain on site in a stored state for the rest of the year.)

    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Recreational vehicles or trailers in a Merrick County recreational vehicle park or campground.
      “shall not be occupied for more than four continuous months in a 12 month period.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping in a county-approved recreational vehicle park or campground.

    • A Conditional Use Permit is required for the park or campground.
    • An auxiliary tent may not be erected for more than 14 consecutive days.
    • The county resolution does not establish a general private-land camping rule in the located passage.

    maximum auxiliary-tent duration: <= 14 consecutive days

    “In addition to these units, a tent may be erected to serve as an auxiliary shelter, but shall not be erected for more than 14 consecutive days.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Tent use associated with an individual pad in a Merrick County recreational vehicle park or campground.
      “a tent may be erected to serve as an auxiliary shelter, but shall not be erected for more than 14 consecutive days.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured/mobile homes in the RM-1 Mobile Home Residential District.

    • The district has community-facility requirements, including community water and community sewage disposal facilities connected to each lot.
    • Each mobile home leased must meet the minimum livable-floor-area standard.

    minimum livable floor area for each leased mobile home: >= 500 square feet · minimum mobile-home-court lot width: >= 200 feet

    “Each mobile home leased shall have a minimum 500 square feet of livable floor area.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    More than one dwelling on an agricultural operation in unincorporated Merrick County.

    • A second or additional dwelling requires conditional-use treatment.
    • The residence must be accessory to an agricultural operation.
    • The residence must be under the same ownership as the existing dwelling or dwellings.
    “More than one dwelling may be permitted by conditional use on an agricultural operation”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Secondary dwellings on an agricultural operation.
      “More than one dwelling may be permitted by conditional use on an agricultural operation provided the residence is an accessory use to an agricultural operation and under the same ownership as the existing dwelling(s).”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation and wastewater systems serving residential or living-purpose buildings.

    • Occupancy is unlawful without an approved waste system.
    • The system must meet or be equivalent to Nebraska onsite wastewater criteria.
    • Waste absorption fields must meet NDEQ standards and required separation distances.

    waste absorption field setback from adjacent property line: >= 25 feet · private sewage lagoon setback from house served: >= 100 feet · private sewage lagoon setback from other house or residential boundary: >= 200 feet

    “It shall be unlawful to occupy a residential structure or any building for living purposes that does not have an approved waste system.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Sanitation for residential structures and buildings used for living purposes in unincorporated Merrick County.
      “It shall be unlawful to occupy a residential structure or any building for living purposes that does not have an approved waste system.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Construction or connection to water or sewer facilities in unincorporated Merrick County.

    • A zoning permit must be issued before construction or connection to water or sewer facilities.
    • The zoning permit application must identify existing and proposed water and sanitary sewer facilities where necessary for enforcement.
    “It shall be unlawful to commence or do any excavating, erecting, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, altering, or moving of any building or structure or to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building, land or premises, or construction or connection to water or sewer facilities or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a zoning permit shall have been issued therefore by the Zoning Administrator stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to these regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Water and sewer (with conditions) — Individual recreational-vehicle park or campground pad locations within Merrick County's zoning jurisdiction.
      “A sanitary sewer connection per Nebraska DEQ requirements. [...] A potable water connection per Nebraska HHS requirements.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Access drives associated with recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds.

    • No individual space may have direct access to an outside county road or highway.
    • Interior access drives must be at least 20 feet wide.
    • Interior access drives and parking areas must be surfaced with gravel, asphalt, or other material that frees the site of mud.

    minimum interior access-drive width: >= 20 feet

    “All interior access drives shall be at least 20 feet in width;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Access drives in Merrick County recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds.
      “No one space shall be designed for direct access to a county road or highway outside the boundaries of the recreational vehicle park or campground”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Merrick County zoning permit applications.

    • A written application must be submitted on forms prescribed by the Zoning Administrator.
    • The application must include a site plan with lot dimensions, building locations, uses, family or housekeeping-unit count, and existing and proposed water and sanitary sewer facilities as necessary.
    • Plans must be based on an actual survey, and the lot and building location must be staked before construction starts.
    • The Zoning Administrator must issue a written permit or denial with reasons within 15 days after acceptance.

    decision deadline: 15 days (From acceptance of application)

    “The Zoning Administrator shall issue a written permit, or denial, thereof, with reasons in writing within 15 days from the date of the acceptance of the application.”

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:”
  • 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 systems serving dwellings and non-dwellings in Merrick County.

    • Nebraska's program covers septic tanks, holding tanks, small lagoons, and other decentralized systems.
    • The county zoning resolution separately requires an approved waste system and compliance with state standards.
    “some systems will require a permit as a result of the quantity or quality of the wastewater generated or site conditions”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • State (with conditions) — Onsite wastewater systems serving property in Merrick County.
      “Title 124 Construction Permit issued by NDEE, date:”
    • 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

    Onsite wastewater systems in Merrick County when a Title 124 permit application is required.

    • Title 124 construction permit is required before onsite-system construction when a permit application is required.
    • An operating permit is required before wastewater discharge to or use of the onsite system.
    • Local requirements may also apply.
    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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”
  • 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”
  • 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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision in counties containing a city of the primary class, outside areas where a city or village has been granted and is exercising subdivision jurisdiction.

    • County-board approval is required before subdivision, platting, or laying out building lots and streets in the described area.
    • The county board may designate specific types of plats for approval by the county planning commission or planning director.
    • A plat has no force or effect and may not be recorded unless approved by the county board, county planning commission, or planning director.
    • The county has no power to regulate when the smallest parcel created is more than ten acres.
    • The county may prescribe subdivision standards, require installation of improvements, create public improvement districts, require a good and sufficient bond, and require dedication of land for public purposes.
    • The county planning commission approves plats on recommendation by the planning director and county engineer; the county board may withhold approval pending certified installation of required improvements, posting of a sufficient bond, or creation of public improvement districts.
    • Appeal procedures may be provided for actions of the county planning commission or planning director.

    smallest parcel exemption: > 10 acres (division is not subdivision when the smallest parcel created is more than ten acres)

    “Such a county shall have authority within the area described in this subsection (a) to regulate the subdivision of land”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision, platting, or laying out real estate in counties containing a city of the primary class, outside areas where a city or village is exercising subdivision jurisdiction.
      “Such a county shall have authority within the area described in this subsection (a) to regulate the subdivision of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or building development, except that the county shall have no power to regulate subdivision in those instances where the smallest parcel created is more than ten acres in area,”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    All development in a Nebraska floodplain, administered through applicable local floodplain programs under state and federal standards.

    • All development in a floodplain requires a permit, including additions and new structures.
    • A new structure must meet existing Base Flood Elevation requirements.
    • An addition must meet Base Flood Elevation requirements when it is a substantial improvement.
    • Substantial improvement means reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement costing 50 percent or more of the structure's pre-improvement market value.
    • Development includes human-made changes to improved or unimproved real estate, including construction, modifications, repairs, temporary stream crossings, roads, bridges, school buildings, storage, dredging, paving, filling, and grading.
    • Permits must ensure compliance with National Flood Insurance Program requirements, city ordinances, and county resolutions.

    substantial improvement threshold: >= 50 percent of pre-improvement market value

    “All development in a floodplain, whether an addition or a brand new structure, requires a permit.”
  • 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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections in Merrick County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Merrick 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.

Water rights & wells in Merrick County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Nebraska’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Domestic/household wells are exempt from NRD construction permits and generally from basin well moratoriums (domestic is a preferred use), so a newcomer can still drill a household well even in over-appropriated basins — it must be registered with the state.

Limit: Wells ≤50 gpm (household/stock) need no NRD construction permit; all new wells must be registered with NeDNR

Central Platte NRD / Neb. Rev. Stat. 46-602 ↗
  • Platte Basin Fully Appropriated Area (to Elm Creek reach)majority of county

    2004 final determination; no new groundwater-irrigated acres or new consumptive uses without offset. Domestic wells exempt.

    Nebraska DNR/DWEE — Orders; Tri-Basin NRD ↗

Hybrid state (appropriation + riparian). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Nebraska state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Merrick County, Nebraska

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

Merrick County scores 43/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (27.7″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.

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

Merrick 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 Merrick County, Nebraska?

Land in Merrick County runs about $5,476 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Merrick County?

Merrick County gets about 27.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 18.8% of years. On water rights, Merrick County lies in the Platte Basin Fully Appropriated Area (to Elm Creek reach) — 2004 final determination; no new groundwater-irrigated acres or new consumptive uses without offset. Domestic wells exempt..

How remote is Merrick County?

A representative private-land location has about 44,600 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,277,832 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 Merrick compares in Nebraska

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