Administrative overview · FIPS 31083
Harlan County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Harlan County Planning and Zoning
For a project in or near Harlan County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
(402) 432-0777
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Planning and Zoning mailing address: PO Box 112, Alma, NE 68920
Operating hours
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday; open through the lunch hour; closed weekends and holidays.
Review expectation
The building permit/zoning application is void after one year from its approval date; no general review timeline is published.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Harlan County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Harlan County Planning and Zoning is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
No verified online portal was located in the reviewed public materials. Contact (402) 432-0777 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.
How long might review take?
The building permit/zoning application is void after one year from its approval date; no general review timeline is published.
How are inspections scheduled?
N/A; the official application and planning pages do not publish inspection-booking instructions. Contact Zoning Administrator Ron Melbye at (402) 432-0777.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
N/A; the county application requires compliance with applicable Harlan County building, electrical, and plumbing codes but does not identify a technical 2026 edition. N/A; Harlan County states that no building or structure may be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a zoning application/building permit, and does not publish a minor or cosmetic exemption list.