Bolthole Index

Richardson County, Nebraska

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

65Index Score / 100
#1 of 93 in Nebraska

Unincorporated Richardson County, Nebraska lists no county building permits, but the state building code can apply by default, new electrical service needs a state inspection, and septic systems need state authorization1234. The county's proposed zoning regulations were never adopted and new ones are being drafted56. Inside Humboldt, the city issues building permits and sets zoning78.

At a glance

County building permit
Richardson County currently lists none; state electrical, septic and building-code rules remain separate192
Zoning
The proposed county regulations were never adopted; new regulations are being drafted, so confirm current status56
Septic permits
Nebraska DWEE; permit or general-permit coverage required unless a Title 124 exemption applies104
Owner-builder
You may build your own home and do your own electrical work on a qualifying principal residence; electrical permits and inspections can still apply1112
State electrical inspection
Required for new single-family installations needing new service equipment3
County-road access
Permit required; minimum fees start at $100 for small access and $150 for large access1314
High-capacity wells
Nemaha NRD permit required for wells over 50 gallons per minute; a temporary stay on new well permits was in effect as of March 202615

Who to call

Zoning

Richardson County Planning and Zoning

County planning and zoning; the county currently issues no building permits and has no adopted zoning ordinance, and is drafting a new comprehensive plan and zoning regulations

402-245-2911

Roads & driveways

Richardson County Roads and Bridges

Construction, maintenance and improvement of county public roads, bridges and culverts

402-245-2614

s.darveau@richardsoncountyne.gov

65087 706 Trail, Falls City, NE 68355

Septic permits

Nebraska DWEE Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite wastewater (septic) system registration, permitting and program guidance, including for Richardson County

(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 13, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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

Unincorporated Richardson County lists no county building permits; the Planning and Zoning permits page reads "None at this time, to be determined"19. That does not make a project code-free. Nebraska's state building code applies by default where a county did not adopt its own authorized code within two years of a state-code update, and we could not confirm which path Richardson County took2. The default rule excepts construction on a farm or for farm purposes16. The state code rests on the 2018 International Residential Code and 2018 International Building Code, with listed exceptions17.

State electrical inspection is the requirement most likely to reach a new home: a new single-family installation that needs new electrical service equipment is subject to inspection3. The request goes in at or before the start of work, with a $0.50 supervisory fee, and a late request carries a $250 delinquent fee3. An owner may do electrical work on a principal residence no larger than a single-family dwelling, or on farm property, without a license, but the exemption does not remove the permit and inspection requirements1218.

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

Richardson County lists no county construction-permit program, so call Planning and Zoning at 402-245-2911 to confirm what applies to your parcel and whether new regulations have taken effect16. The county's rules apply to unincorporated land. Inside Humboldt, the city issues its own building permits through a written application to the City Clerk, and sets its own zoning78. Septic permits for every address in the county, city or not, come from the state Onsite Wastewater Program1920.

County-road access permits come from Roads and Bridges, which handles the county's public roads, bridges and culverts21. Access to a state highway follows a separate state permit process22.

Does Richardson County have zoning?

Richardson County's proposed zoning regulations were never adopted, and the Planning Commission is working on a new comprehensive plan and possible zoning regulations56. Unincorporated Richardson County is therefore not zoned today as far as we could confirm, but the county pages do not expressly say so, and setbacks, minimum lot size and minimum home size are unconfirmed; ask Planning and Zoning before you buy. Zoning in Humboldt is the city's own8. Nebraska counties may regulate buildings, setbacks, lot coverage and land uses outside incorporated places once they adopt zoning23. Subdividing is not unregulated: county-board approval is required before platting building lots or streets in unincorporated areas24.

How do septic permits work in Richardson County?

Nebraska's statewide Onsite Wastewater Program regulates septic systems in Richardson County19. Construction, alteration, repair and operation need a state permit or qualifying general-permit coverage unless a Title 124 exemption applies4. Off-grid sanitation still needs a compliant system, and only domestic wastewater may enter it unless an operating permit approves otherwise25. Septic tanks must be inspected periodically by a qualified pumper, engineer or environmental health specialist and pumped when sludge or scum thresholds are reached26. About 13% of county soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so plan on a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system27. Contact the state program for permit guidance20.

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

We could not confirm a Richardson County rule on long-term RV living, private-land camping or tiny-home occupancy; ask Planning and Zoning about the parcel6. Nebraska classifies tiny houses as manufactured homes, modular units or recreational vehicles, and a park-model RV is temporary living space that cannot be permanently affixed as a dwelling28. The only county-area RV rule we found covers RV parks inside Falls City's zoning jurisdiction, which limits each RV to four continuous months in any 12-month period; it does not govern an RV on your own land29. A dwelling that generates wastewater must connect to public sewer or use a compliant onsite system30.

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

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is unincorporated or inside a city such as Humboldt, then ask Planning and Zoning about current county rules67.
  2. If creating lots or streets, get county-board approval for the subdivision or plat24.
  3. Confirm which building code applies and plan for state electrical inspection if the home needs new service equipment23.
  4. Evaluate soils, then ask the state Onsite Wastewater Program whether the design needs an individual permit, general-permit coverage or an exemption27420.
  5. Check well requirements with the Nemaha Natural Resources District; its cited rule covers high-capacity wells15.
  6. Apply to Roads and Bridges before installing or modifying a county-road access, or follow the state process for a state highway3122.
  7. Ask whether the parcel lies in a mapped floodplain; state law requires a permit for floodplain development32.

What to check before you buy land in Richardson County

A county-road access needs a permit approved by the Highway Superintendent; fees start at $100 for small access and $150 for large access, with the final fee set by the Superintendent and paid in full before installation1314. If a culvert is required it must be at least 18 inches in diameter and at least 30 feet long for residential access or 48 feet for agricultural access, and the owner maintains it31. Mail or email the completed form to the county Department of Roads31.

Floodplain development needs a permit under state law, but we could not confirm a county-specific floodplain ordinance, so ask Planning and Zoning32336. Get a soil evaluation before assuming a conventional septic field will work27. Richardson County's effective property-tax rate is about 1.4%, and the median annual bill is about $1,3293435.

Watch-outs

  • Richardson County lists no county building permits, but state building-code and electrical-inspection requirements can still apply123.
  • A late request for a required state electrical inspection carries a $250 delinquent fee3.
  • A Richardson County road-access permit, with the fee paid in full, is required before installing or modifying access to a county road1314.
  • A temporary stay of up to 180 days on new well permits was reported by the Nemaha Natural Resources District as of March 2026, with exceptions for previously approved, replacement and lower-capacity wells; confirm current status before planning a high-capacity well15.

Sources

  1. Forms, Permits and Regulations – Richardson County, quoted and re-checked
  2. Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6404, quoted and re-checked
  3. State Electrical Act Revised Version 01 08 2026, quoted and re-checked
  4. Nebraska Administrative Code Title 124 - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Richardson County Planning & Zoning - Forms, Permits and Regulations (2026 county census)
  6. Richardson County Planning and Zoning (richardsoncounty.ne.gov)
  7. Humboldt: Humboldt Code § 150.01, Requirement (Richardson County), quoted and re-checked
  8. Humboldt: Humboldt Code § 154.02, Zoning Regulations Adopted by Reference (Richardson County), quoted and re-checked
  9. Forms, Permits and Regulations – Richardson County, quoted and re-checked
  10. Nebraska DEE - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Permits (2026 county census)
  11. Nebraska law on county zoning and building authority
  12. State Electrical Act Revised Version 01 08 2026, quoted and re-checked
  13. Road Forms and Applications – Richardson County, quoted and re-checked
  14. Richardson County Access Permit, quoted and re-checked
  15. Well Permitting | Nemaha Natural Resources District, quoted and re-checked
  16. Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6406, quoted and re-checked
  17. Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6403, quoted and re-checked
  18. State Electrical Act, quoted and re-checked
  19. Nebraska Administrative Code Title 124 - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  20. Nebraska DWEE Onsite Wastewater Program (dwee.nebraska.gov)
  21. Richardson County Roads and Bridges (richardsoncounty.ne.gov)
  22. Title 410, Chapter 2 - Driveway and Approach Road Permits (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Nebraska Revised Statute 23-114 (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Nebraska Revised Statute 23-373, quoted and re-checked
  25. Nebraska Administrative Code Title 124 - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  26. Nebraska Administrative Code Title 124 - Maintenance of Septic Systems and Lagoons, quoted and re-checked
  27. 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
  28. Housing and Recreational Vehicle (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Falls City, Nebraska Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  30. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Just for Homeowners (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. Richardson County Access Permit, quoted and re-checked
  32. Floodplain Management Q&A: Permits (Nebraska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Nebraska Revised Statute 31-1019, quoted and re-checked
  34. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 13, 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 all 6 of its neighbors, Richardson County requires no county building permit for a home.

RuleRichardson CountyNemaha CountyPawnee CountyJohnson CountyOtoe CountyGage CountyCass County
Building permitNot requiredRequiredRequiredLimitedLimitedRequiredRequired
County zoningNoNoYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsNDEENDEENDEENE Dept. of Env. & EnergyNDEENDEENDEE

County locator

Richardson County in Nebraska

65
County map
Richardson County highlighted among the Nebraska counties · colored by Index score

How Richardson County scores

Seclusion65100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency37100% ev.
Admin Boringness90100% ev.
Durability52100% ev.
Property Autonomy53100% ev.
Carry Cost66100% 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 →

$119kTypical home
1.4%Property tax
$5,087Land / acre
33.7"Annual rain
6.8% of yrsSevere drought
15.9 / yr (+12.3)Mid-century 100°F days
20.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.85" (+2.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.65×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,304Home insurance / yr
5.6% / yrInsurance growth
2.7%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
8,420People within 30 min
3,056,708People within 2 hr
9,349Radius comparison (15 mi)
13.9People / sq mi
0.8%Federal land
90.4%Land at 15% slope or less
13.2%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
46,026 acWorkable land screen
10.6%Wooded land
40.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
52.8°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Richardson County

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

Not yet researched: Village of Barada · Village of Dawson · Falls City · Village of Rulo · Village of Salem · Village of Shubert · Village of Stella · Village of Verdon

Answers from the rulebook for Richardson County

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

Richardson County rules

  • Building permitNot required

    Permits listed by Richardson County Planning and Zoning for construction-related activity in Richardson County.

    • The county page states that permits are none at this time and are to be determined.
    • This county-level statement does not establish whether state electrical permits, septic authorizations, or incorporated-municipality requirements apply.
    “Permits None at this time, to be determined.”
  • Owner-builder exemption · follows from the permit answerNot needed

    Unincorporated Richardson County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical, plumbing and HVAC work may still apply.

    • The county page states that permits are none at this time and are to be determined.
    • This county-level statement does not establish whether state electrical permits, septic authorizations, or incorporated-municipality requirements apply.
    “Permits None at this time, to be determined.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water wells in Richardson County, which is entirely within the Nemaha Natural Resources District; the district’s cited permit rule specifically applies to high-capacity wells and identifies a stricter ranking threshold in eastern Richardson County.

    • Since 1999, a high-capacity well designed to pump more than 50 gallons per minute requires a Nemaha NRD permit.
    • Approval requires compliance with district standards and a ranking score above the applicable minimum: 201 points in most areas and 300 points in an area of eastern Richardson County.
    • Applications require a testhole geologic log from a licensed well contractor and a non-refundable filing fee, and must be received by the Thursday before the monthly board meeting for consideration.
    • All new wells since 1993, including domestic wells, must be registered; registration is distinct from the high-capacity well permit requirement.
    • The Nemaha NRD page dated March 12, 2026 states that an immediate temporary stay of up to 180 days was placed on issuance of new well permits, while listing exceptions for previously approved unexpired permits, replacement wells, public water supply wells, wells designed to pump 50 to 150 gallons per minute, test-hole drilling, and conversions to pivot irrigation.

    high-capacity well threshold: > 50 gallons per minute (The cited permit requirement is for wells designed to pump more than 50 gallons per minute.) · well permit ranking score: 201 points in most areas; 300 points in an area of eastern Richardson County

    “Since 1999, anyone installing a high capacity well (designed to pump >50 gpm) is required to obtain a permit from the District. To qualify for approval the well must meet certain standards and obtain a ranking score above pre-determined minimums, depending on the well’s location within the District (201 points in most areas; 300 points in an area of eastern Richardson County).”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Installing or modifying an access serving property on a Richardson County road.

    • The property owner or tenant requests a permit from Richardson County to install, have the County install, or modify an existing access.
    • If a culvert is required, the minimum diameter is 18 inches; minimum length is 30 feet for residential access and 48 feet for agricultural access.
    • The property owner is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of existing or newly installed culverts and for required culvert materials.
    • The permit fee must be paid in full to the Richardson County Department of Roads before installation.
    • The applicant agrees to act in accordance with Richardson County Resolution 2018-2019-47.

    culvert diameter minimum: >= 18 inches · residential access culvert length minimum: >= 30 feet · agricultural access culvert length minimum: >= 48 feet

    “requests a permit from Richardson County to install [...] an access”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Installing or modifying an access connecting property to a Richardson County road.
      “requests a permit from Richardson County to install”
    • Required — New or modified accesses administered by Richardson County, including accesses installed by the owner, contractor, or County.
      “(Property Owner) _______________________________________ requests a permit from Richardson County to install or have the County install an access or modify an existing access.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Richardson County road-access permits for installing or modifying an access to a county road.

    • A permit fee must be paid in full to the Richardson County Department of Roads before installation.
    • Small access permits have a minimum $100.00 permit fee.
    • Large access permits have a minimum $150.00 permit fee.
    • The final permit fee is determined by the Highway Superintendent.
    • The property owner is responsible for required culvert materials and maintenance.

    small access permit fee: >= 100 USD · large access permit fee: >= 150 USD · permit fee payment timing: before installation

    “Minimum $100.00 permit fee [...] Minimum $150.00 permit fee [...] to be determined by Highway Superintendent”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — Richardson County road-access permits for installing or modifying an access.
      “Permit for Small Access (Minimum $100.00 permit fee) Permit for Large Access (Minimum $150.00 permit fee)”
    • Variable (with conditions) — Permits to install, have the County install, or modify an access to a Richardson County road.
      “_____ Permit for Small Access (Minimum $100.00 permit fee) _____ Permit for Large Access (Minimum $150.00 permit fee) PERMIT FEE: $ __________________ (to be determined by Highway Superintendent) Permit Fee must be paid in full to, Richardson County Department of Roads, before installation.”
    • Published (with conditions) — Richardson County access permits for installing an access or modifying an existing access.
      “_____ Permit for Small Access (Minimum $100.00 permit fee) _____ Permit for Large Access (Minimum $150.00 permit fee) PERMIT FEE: $ __________________ (to be determined by Highway Superintendent) Permit Fee must be paid in full to, Richardson County Department of Roads, before installation.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Installation or modification of an access administered by the Richardson County Department of Roads.

    • The application identifies the owner or tenant, location, road location, work requested, existing access, and requested access width.
    • If a culvert is required, its minimum diameter is 18 inches; minimum length is 30 feet for residential access and 48 feet for agricultural access.
    • The property owner is responsible for culvert upkeep, maintenance, and any required culvert materials.
    • The applicant agrees to act in accordance with Richardson County Resolution 2018-2019-47.
    • Completed applications are mailed to the Richardson County Department of Roads, 65087 706 Trail, Falls City, Nebraska 68355-1438, or emailed to roads@richardsoncountyne.gov.
    • The Highway Superintendent approves the access, and the permit fee must be paid in full before installation.

    culvert minimum diameter: >= 18 inches (If a culvert is required.) · residential-access culvert minimum length: >= 30 feet (If a culvert is required.) · agricultural-access culvert minimum length: >= 48 feet (If a culvert is required.)

    “If culvert is required, the minimum size will be eighteen inch (18”) diameter with minimum length for residential access being thirty feet (30’) and minimum length for agricultural access being forty-eight feet (48’).”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Installation of a new access or modification of an existing access in Richardson County.
      “If culvert is required, the minimum size will be eighteen inch (18”) diameter with minimum length for residential access being thirty feet (30’) and minimum length for agricultural access being forty-eight feet (48’). [...] The undersigned further agrees to accept and act in accordance with Richardson County Resolution 2018-2019-47. [...] Mail completed application to: Richardson County Department of Roads 65087 706 Trail, Falls City, Nebraska 68355-1438 E-Mail: roads@richardsoncountyne.gov”
    • Not published — County-administered planning and zoning permits in Richardson County.
      “Permits None at this time, to be determined.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    A 2002 zoning draft was never adopted by the County Board; the county is only in 2025 contracting consultants to develop new zoning, so no county zoning regulations are currently in effect. STALENESS 2026-07-08: county contracted Marvin Planning Consultants (2025) and a comprehensive plan was in drafting as of 2026-03 — zoning could arrive within 1-2 years; re-verify.

    Richardson County Planning & Zoning - Forms, Permits and Regulations ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Nebraska rules that apply here

  • 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:”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Nebraska counties, cities, and villages that have not adopted a local building or construction code within two years after an update to the state building code, including Richardson County if that condition applies.
      “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.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Nebraska state building code as it applies statewide and to counties that have not adopted a local building or construction code within the statutory period.
      “There is hereby created the state building code. The Legislature hereby adopts by reference:”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Nebraska's state building code, including its statutory default applicability in a county, city, or village that has not adopted a qualifying local building or construction code; applicable to Richardson County only to the extent that statutory condition is met.
      “(1) There is hereby created the state building code. The Legislature hereby adopts by reference:”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Electrical installations in Nebraska, including work in Richardson County; this is not a general structural-building inspection determination.

    • All new electrical installations for commercial or industrial applications, public-use buildings and facilities, and installations requested by the owner are subject to State Electrical Act inspection and enforcement.
    • All new electrical installations for residential applications exceeding single-family residential applications are subject to inspection and enforcement.
    • All new electrical installations for single-family residential applications requiring new electrical service equipment are subject to inspection and enforcement.
    • State inspection does not apply within a county, city, or village that has qualifying wiring standards and provides inspection by a certified electrical inspector.
    • State inspection does not apply to routine maintenance.
    • For an installation required to be inspected, the licensee or owner must request inspection at or before commencement, pay the fifty-cent supervisory fee and required inspection fees; a late request has a two-hundred-fifty-dollar delinquent fee.

    supervisory fee: 0.5 USD (Due with a request for inspection for an installation required to be inspected.) · late request delinquent fee: 250 USD (Applies to a late request for inspection.)

    “(2) All new electrical installations for residential applications in excess of single-family residential applications shall be subject to the inspection and enforcement provisions of the act.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — State electrical inspections for new electrical installations, including residential installations exceeding single-family residential applications and single-family residential applications requiring new electrical service equipment.
      “All new electrical installations for single-family residential applications requiring new electrical service equipment shall be subject to the inspection and enforcement provisions of the act.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Public availability of local Nebraska municipal codes that may contain zoning districts; this does not establish a single statewide zoning-district map or ordinance.

    • Not all communities have published municipal codes online.
    • Where codes are unavailable online, the official source directs users to contact local town or city offices or the county courthouse.
    • Local zoning districts and ordinances remain community-specific.
    “Not all communities have published their municipal codes online; it may be necessary to contact the local town or city offices, or the county courthouse to access their codes and ordinances.”
  • 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”
  • 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 septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater treatment systems statewide in Nebraska, including septic systems, holding tanks, lagoons, mound systems, and other decentralized systems.

    • The Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Program administers statewide Title 124 requirements.
    • Any local city or county requirements are separate from and in addition to statewide Title 124 requirements.
    “Any local requirements (city, county) are separate from and in addition to the requirements found in Title 124 that apply statewide.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private onsite wastewater treatment systems in Richardson County, including construction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, repair, and operation.

    • The permit requirement is subject to exemptions in Title 124 Chapter 2.
    • General permit coverage may substitute for an individual construction or operating permit when the owner qualifies and complies with the general permit.
    • Systems not covered by a general permit require Department approval before construction.
    • A complete application must include requested supporting documents or reports; technical documents must be prepared and signed by a Professional Engineer; an application fee is required, with a fee due for each subdivision lot subject to approval.
    • A construction permit is valid for two years from issuance; written reauthorization or extension may be requested before expiration and is subject to the rules then in effect.

    construction permit validity: 2 years (Extensions or reauthorizations may be approved for no more than one year from reissuance.)

    “A private onsite wastewater treatment system is to be permitted by the Department before any construction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, or repair not exempted in Chapter 2 is performed or the system is operated.”
    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 inspectionRequired

    Septic tanks in Richardson County and statewide Nebraska.

    • The inspection must be performed by a Master or Journeyman Pumper, professional engineer, or registered environmental health specialist.
    • Inspection and septage removal are required when the sludge layer is less than 12 inches below the bottom of the outlet baffle or the scum layer is less than three inches above the bottom of the outlet baffle.

    sludge clearance threshold: < 12 inches (Measured below the bottom of the outlet baffle.) · scum clearance threshold: < 3 inches (Measured above the bottom of the outlet baffle.)

    “The owner of a septic tank will have a Master or Journeyman Pumper, a professional engineer, or a registered environmental health specialist periodically inspect the septic tank and remove septage from the tank whenever the top of the sludge layer is less than 12 inches below the bottom of the outlet baffle or whenever the bottom of the scum layer is less than three inches above the bottom of the outlet baffle.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Inspection of private onsite wastewater treatment systems statewide in Nebraska.
      “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 — Off-grid sanitation using a private onsite wastewater treatment system in Richardson County and statewide Nebraska.
      “The type of waste that can be directed to an on-site wastewater treatment system is limited to domestic wastewater. The following wastes are prohibited from entering an onsite wastewater treatment system unless approved in an operating permit issued for the system.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

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

    • The property must have an onsite wastewater treatment system complying with Title 124, or be connected to a public sewer system or other wastewater works.
    • Local city and county requirements are separate from and in addition to statewide Title 124 requirements.
    “A dwelling or non-dwelling that generates wastewater must have an onsite wastewater treatment (OWT) system [...] or be connected to a public sewer system”
  • 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.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available — Construction on a farm or for farm purposes where the Nebraska state building code applies in a county, city, or village that has not adopted an authorized local building code.
      “except that such code shall not apply to construction on a farm or for farm purposes.”
    • Available (with conditions) — Buildings utilized for agricultural purposes on a farmstead in Nebraska, including applicable farmsteads in Richardson County.
      “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.”
    • 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”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision, platting, or laying out real property in building lots or streets in unincorporated areas of Nebraska, including unincorporated Richardson County.
      “the approval of the county board is required, except that:”
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision, platting, or laying out real property in an unincorporated area of Nebraska, including applicable unincorporated areas of Richardson County.
      “Before an owner of real property located in an unincorporated area may subdivide, plat, or lay out the real property in building lots, streets, or other portions or for the use of the purchasers or owners of lots fronting thereon or adjacent thereto, the approval of the county board is required, except that:”
    • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Floodplain development within a Nebraska local government's zoning jurisdiction when sufficient floodplain data and maps have been provided.
      “When [...] sufficient data and maps [...] it shall be the responsibility of such local government to adopt, administer, and enforce flood plain management regulations”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”

Inside cities and towns in Richardson County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    RV occupancy in a recreational vehicle park or campground within Falls City's zoning jurisdiction.

    • A Conditional Use permit must be approved and issued by the City before construction of the RV park.
    • The tract must be at least two acres.
    • No manufactured home may be parked in the recreational vehicle park or campground.
    • The maximum density is 15 recreational vehicles, trailers, or campsites per acre.
    • Each site must be marked and at least 25 feet wide by 40 feet long.
    • Sites must be separated by at least 15 feet and located at least 50 feet from exterior lot lines, with required road and ordinary-high-water-mark setbacks.
    • Screening at least six feet high is required between the park or campground and adjoining residential areas.
    • Interior access drives must be at least 20 feet wide and surfaced with gravel, asphalt, or other material to eliminate mud.
    • There must be two off-street parking spaces per individual RV, trailer, or campsite.
    • Each pad requires electrical, sanitary sewer, and potable water connections meeting the cited Nebraska requirements, or a compliant community building.
    • RV parks are seasonal businesses; individual RVs or trailers may not be occupied for more than four continuous months in any 12-month period, though they may remain stored on site for the rest of the year.
    • Wheels and tires must remain in the in-transit position; permanent porches, lean-tos, and additions are prohibited, although canvas screen rooms or awnings are allowed.
    • A fire-safety/emergency plan approved by the local rural fire department is required.
    • One permanent dwelling may be constructed in the park only for the park owner and family or resident superintendent.

    minimum tract area: >= 2 acres · maximum RVs, trailers, or campsites: <= 15 per acre · minimum site width: >= 25 feet · minimum site length: >= 40 feet · minimum site separation: >= 15 feet · minimum exterior lot-line setback: >= 50 feet · maximum occupancy: <= 4 continuous months in any 12-month period (The RV or trailer may remain on site in a stored state for the remaining portion 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.”

Set by your township or city, not the county

In Nebraska, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Richardson 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
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for construction in Richardson County.
  • Local zoning — Local zoning within Richardson County, including the county’s unincorporated area and incorporated municipalities.

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 Richardson County, Nebraska

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

Richardson County scores 65/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (33.7″/yr rainfall).

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

Richardson County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide 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 Richardson County, Nebraska?

Land in Richardson County runs about $5,087 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Richardson County?

Richardson County gets about 33.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.8% of years.

How remote is Richardson County?

A representative private-land location has about 8,420 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,056,708 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 Richardson compares in Nebraska

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