Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Ogallala, Nebraska

Ogallala’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, constructing, repairing, relocating or demolishing structures inside Ogallala city

  • Applies to structures 'requiring a building permit under this code'; the code excerpt reviewed does not list exempt work.
  • Application is filed in writing with the city clerk and checked by the planning and zoning administrator before issuance.

  “any person desiring to commence or proceed to erect, construct, repair, relocate, or demolish any structure requiring a building permit under this code of ordinances or cause the same to”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Buildings erected, enlarged, altered, repaired, relocated or converted inside Ogallala city

  • The 2009 edition of the International Building Code, with amendments, is incorporated by reference.
  • Plumbing, electrical and life safety codes are separately adopted in §§ 150.16-150.18 (not quoted).

  adopted code: 2009 International Building Code

  “the 2009 edition of the international building code, as printed in book or pamphlet form, is hereby incorporated by reference in addition to all amendments as though printed in full herein.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Ogallala city limits

  • Chapter 154 only adopts a zoning code by reference (the text says 'village zoning code', apparently a leftover from the code's template); the zoning code text itself was not in the 2019 PDF.
  • The planning and zoning administrator enforces the zoning provisions (§ 32.xx), advising the planning commission and board of adjustment.

  “the village zoning code is hereby adopted and incorporated as part of this code of ordinances as fully as if set out at length herein.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Ogallala city

  • City plumbing inspector issues the permit; systems must follow state department of public health recommendations.
  • Septic systems are barred where public sewer is available.

  “before construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the plumbing inspector.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Ogallala city where public sewer is not available

  • Permit and inspection fee set by council resolution, paid at application.
  • No permit for subsurface soil absorption where lot is under 10,000 square feet.
  • Additional requirements may be imposed by the city health officer.

  minimum lot area for subsurface absorption: >= 10000 sq ft

  “no permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities when the area of the lot is less than 10,000 square feet.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Ogallala city

  • Owner must notify the plumbing inspector for final inspection before underground portions are covered.

  “notify the plumbing inspector when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Privies, septic tanks and cesspools inside Ogallala city

  • Private systems allowed only where public sewer is unavailable and under permit.
  • Once sewer becomes available, connect within 60 days and fill the old system.

  connection after sewer becomes available: <= 60 days

  “except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Properties inside Ogallala city abutting a street, alley or right-of-way with a public sewer

  • Connection due within 90 days after official notice.
  • Applies only if the public sewer is within 500 feet of the property line.
  • § 51.002(a)(1) also states every building hereafter erected shall be connected with the wastewater system.
  • Water connection rule not found.

  distance to public sewer: <= 500 feet · connection deadline after notice: <= 90 days

  “is hereby required at his or her expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within 90 days after the date of official notice to do so; provided, that said public sewer is within 500 feet of the property line.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Ogallala city

  • Chapter 153 only adopts a subdivision code by reference (text says 'village subdivision code'); its content was not available.

  “the village subdivision code is hereby adopted and incorporated as part of this code of ordinances as fully as if set out at length herein.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permits inside Ogallala city

  • Fee amount set by council resolution; schedule kept at the city clerk's office. Amounts not found.

  “the amount of the fee shall be set by resolution of the council and a copy of the fee schedule shall be kept and made available in the office of the city clerk.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit applications inside Ogallala city

  • Application to city clerk, reviewed by planning and zoning administrator, clerk then issues permit if plans conform; no step-by-step guide beyond the code was reviewed.

  “said officials shall authorize the city clerk to issue the permit.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Ogallala or Keith County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Ogallala city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Ogallala city
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new buildings inside Ogallala city
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Ogallala city
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residential district inside Ogallala city

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.