LB 663: Nebraska Agricultural Zoning Reform Improves County Permitting Process

On February 25, 2026, Governor Jim Pillen signed Legislative Bill 663 into law while at the Nebraska Dairy Convention and Trade Show in West Point, Nebraska. Introduced by Senator Tanya Storer, and championed by The Platte Institute, LB 663 improves county zoning processes for agricultural producers by establishing a more uniform, transparent, and timely system for the application and approval of conditional use permits and special exceptions. 

For agricultural producers across Nebraska, and for all who value regulatory clarity, LB 663 represents a meaningful step toward consistency and predictability in local governance. 

LB 663’s Legislative Path 

LB 663 was originally introduced in the legislature by Senator Storer on January 22, 2025. After review and amendment by the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, the bill advanced to General File on April 15, 2025. Having been carried over into the 2026 session, LB 663 was placed on Select File on February 3, 2026, and passed on Final Reading on February 20, 2026, by a vote of 43–5–1. The bill was then sent to the Governor’s desk for signature. 

The Platte Institute’s Role: 

The Platte Institute’s work on LB 663 began in the summer of 2025. Throughout the summer, Platte conducted research on Nebraska’s county permitting process and their impact on agricultural producers across the state. Through conversations with producers and local officials, analysis of previous legislation, and observations of county-level proceedings, Platte identified significant inconsistencies in how conditional use and special exception applications were handled. These inconsistencies often created uncertainty, delays, and barriers to investment. 

Platte compiled its findings into a comprehensive report examining Nebraska’s permitting framework and highlighting the need for greater clarity and uniformity. The research was first presented to key stakeholders at Platte’s Legislative Summit in Lincoln on October 30, 2025. During a roundtable discussion organized by Platte and led by Senator Storer, participants, including producers and policy makers, reached a clear conclusion: the lack of consistency across counties was discouraging investment and creating avoidable obstacles for agricultural growth. 

Throughout the 2026 legislative session, Platte actively supported LB 663, advocating for reforms that would bring greater transparency, predictability, and fairness to the permitting process. We are proud to have contributed research and stakeholder engagement that helped shape the conversation and advance the bill to passage. 

The Final Product: What LB 663 Does 

LB 663 streamlines and unifies the conditional use and special exception permitting process across Nebraska’s counties through three primary reforms: 

• Required Education for County Officials 

LB 663 requires the county attorney, each member of the county planning commission, and each member of the county board in counties with zoning regulations to complete two hours of education per term on topics related to their zoning responsibilities. Research had indicated that, in some cases, county officials lacked sufficient familiarity with zoning statutes and their proper application. By requiring targeted education, LB 663 strengthens both the integrity of the permitting process and the effectiveness of local decision-making. 

• Clear Guidelines for Decision Making 

The bill clarifies that decisions on conditional use permits and special exceptions must be based solely on written county zoning regulations. It states:  

“Granting a conditional use permit or special exception by the commission or county board shall be based solely on county zoning regulations.” 

This provision reinforces the principle that permitting decisions should rest on established standards, not subjective considerations. At the same time, local autonomy is maintained as counties retain full authority to set their zoning regulations. LB 663 simply ensures that those regulations are applied consistently and fairly. 

• Defined and Enforceable Timelines 

Platte’s research, along with testimony from agricultural producers, revealed that permit applications were often subject to inconsistent timelines and prolonged delays. In response, LB 663 establishes a defined application timeline: 

Planning Commission: 

• 30 days to determine if an application is complete 

• 90 days after receiving a complete application to “Approve/Deny” or “Make a recommendation to the county board.” 

County Board 

• 30 days to determine if an application is complete 

• 90 days after receiving a complete application to approve or deny 

If the county board fails to act within the 90 days, the permit is automatically granted. Additionally, if materially new information arises, the board may require a new submission, which restarts the 90-day review period. 

Conclusion 

The Platte Institute is proud to have partnered with Senator Storer in advancing LB 663. Policies that reduce uncertainty, clarify regulatory standards, and remove unnecessary barriers are essential to expanding opportunity and economic growth in Nebraska. LB 663 represents a practical, measured reform, one that strengthens local governance while promoting fairness and predictability for producers and communities alike. In doing so, it takes a meaningful step toward reinforcing Nebraska’s promise as “The Good Life.”