Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Elmwood, Nebraska

Village of Elmwood’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Structural changes, new buildings/homes and fences inside Elmwood village

  • Reviewed by planning commission before village board; submit at least 14 days before board meeting.
  • Sheds up to 150 sq ft and decks under 30 inches not attached to main building do not need a permit (application FAQ).
  • Village interlocal agreement with Cass County zoning for building permit and inspection services.

  “building permits are required for any structural change, new buildings/homes, or fence.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Elmwood village

  • Application FAQ states 2012 editions; state electrical division requires most recent NEC statewide.

  building code: 2012 IBC and 2012 IRC plus mechanical and plumbing codes

  “the village has adopted the 2012 international building code, the 2012 international residential code, plus related mechanical and plumbing codes.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Elmwood village limits

  • Ordinance dated 2002 with later amendments (e.g. amend. #1 3/3/04); current amendments not confirmed.

  “5.07.01 intent: the single-family residential district is intended to permit low-density residential developments to accommodate residential and other compatible uses.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Elmwood village

  • Official zoning map dated 12-18-2002 reported on village Ordinances/Codes page (not opened).

  “t-a transitional agriculture district 42 r-s residential subdivision district 44 r-1 single-family residential district 45 r-2 multiple-family residential district 46”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district, single-family detached dwelling, inside Elmwood village

  • Other uses and districts (T-A, R-S, R-2, R-M) have different requirements.

  minimum lot area: >= 8250 sq ft (single-family attached 4,000 sq ft per unit) · minimum lot width: >= 50 ft

  “5.07.05 height and lot requirements: the height and minimum lot requirements shall be as follows: use single family detached residential single family attached residential (per unit) lot area (sq. ft.) lot width front yard side yard rear yard max. height max. lot coverage 8,250 50' 15' 10' 10' 35' 35% 4,000 40' 15' 10' 10' 35' 35%”

• SetbacksSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district, single-family detached dwelling, inside Elmwood village

  • Accessory structures have different yards.

  front yard: >= 15 ft · side yard: >= 10 ft · rear yard: >= 10 ft

  “5.07.05 height and lot requirements: the height and minimum lot requirements shall be as follows: use single family detached residential single family attached residential (per unit) lot area (sq. ft.) lot width front yard side yard rear yard max. height max. lot coverage 8,250 50' 15' 10' 10' 35' 35%”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district, single-family detached dwelling, inside Elmwood village

  • Accessory structures limited to 10% coverage and 900 sq ft for single family, with total coverage of all buildings not above 50% (per table footnote).

  max lot coverage: <= 35 percent

  “* provided total area of accessory structure for single family does not exceed nine-hundred (900) square feet and the total lot coverage of all buildings does not exceed fifty percent (50%).”

• Building heightSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district, single-family detached dwelling, inside Elmwood village

  • Accessory uses have a 17 ft maximum height.

  max height: <= 35 ft

  “5.07.05 height and lot requirements: the height and minimum lot requirements shall be as follows: use single family detached residential single family attached residential (per unit) lot area (sq. ft.) lot width front yard side yard rear yard max. height max. lot coverage 8,250 50' 15' 10' 10' 35' 35%”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Elmwood village

  • Subdivision regulations text not opened.

  “title xv and usage §150.01 of the municipal code/comprehensive plan zoning and subdivision regulations adopted: 2002”

• Permit processPublished

  Building and fence permit applications inside Elmwood village

  • Clerk checks completeness, two planning commission members and zoning administrator review, then zoning administrator approves; application is considered by village board of trustees.

  “the required forms and the application fee are submitted to the village clerk.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Elmwood village
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Elmwood village
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Elmwood village
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Elmwood village
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Elmwood village

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.