Grand Island building department

Grand Island Building Services enforces the building, zoning, and construction codes adopted by the City. Its jurisdiction covers the City of Grand Island and the two-mile extraterritorial area around it. Hall County property outside that area is not handled here. The division issues building, trade, sign, demolition, and moving permits. It also licenses contractors and runs inspections. The office at City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What needs a permit

Grand Island’s General Information page lists work that needs a building permit:

• Shingling, siding, and all new construction, including additions and enclosing porches or garages
• Structural repairs, or repairs that enlarge or move openings
• Interior remodeling that removes walls or wall coverings or adds rooms, such as finishing a basement
• Fireplaces and other wood-burning appliances
• Decks more than 30 inches above grade
• Patio covers and carports
• Accessory buildings over 120 square feet
• Signs, including mobile signs
• Moving or wrecking a building

Repairs valued over $500 and flat concrete work on private property may also need a permit. Check with the division first.

Work you can do without a building permit	Limit
Accessory building	120 sq ft or less
Fence	7 feet tall or less
Deck	30 inches or less above grade, and not over a basement or story below
Window awning on a home	Projects 54 inches or less
Replacing an uncovered porch	Under 60 sq ft
Repairs	$500 or less in value (check with the division)

Painting, storm windows, gutters, and cabinet replacements that don’t touch plumbing, electrical, or structure are also exempt. See also do I need a permit for a deck.

Trade permits

An electrical permit is required for:

• All new wiring, fixtures, receptacles, and services
• Rewiring

Replacing existing fixtures or switches and minor wiring repairs are exempt.

A plumbing or mechanical permit covers:

• Water heater and furnace replacements
• Sewer and water services
• Backflow preventers and lawn sprinklers
• Water softeners and reverse-osmosis units

Adopted codes

Code	Edition
International Building, Residential, and Existing Building Codes	2021, with local amendments
Uniform Plumbing and Uniform Mechanical Codes	2021
National Electrical Code	2023
ICC A117.1 accessibility standard	2017
International Fire Code (enforced by the Fire Department)	2021
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code	2012, with 2019 Nebraska amendments

Local rules are in the City Code:

• Chapter 8: Buildings
• Chapter 15: Electricity
• Chapter 18: Mechanical
• Chapter 26: Plumbing
• Chapter 31: Signs
• Chapter 36: Zoning

Applying in CitizenServe

The Building Department moved to CitizenServe in April 2025. All applications are now digital, and licensing and payments can be done online. Online permit types include:

• Residential: new homes, garages and sheds, manufactured homes, additions and alterations, egress windows, pools and spas, roofing, siding, solar, and fences over 7 feet
• Commercial: new buildings, multifamily buildings, alterations, parking lots, and towers and antennas
• Signs: temporary 45-day signs, 4-day special-event signs, and permanent signs
• Other: private water services and trade-only permits

Plans must be drawn to scale and dimensioned. Some projects need plans certified by a Nebraska-registered engineer or architect. Permit extensions and fee refunds are requested through online forms.

The city’s typical review times:

• Simple add-ons and garages: 10 to 15 working days
• Residential permits: up to 15 working days
• Commercial new construction and remodels: up to 20 working days

Fees (FY2025–26 fee schedule)

Building, electrical, gas, plumbing, and sign permit fees are all based on project valuation.

Valuation	Fee
$1 – $1,600	$36
$1,601 – $2,000	$38 to $44, rising $2 per $100
$2,001 – $25,000	$44 plus $7.60 per additional $1,000
$25,001 – $50,000	$218.80 plus $5.30 per additional $1,000
$50,001 – $100,000	$351.30 plus $3.95 per additional $1,000
Over $100,000	$548.80 plus $3.45 per additional $1,000

Plan review adds 10% of the building permit fee for residential work and 50% for commercial work. The Fire Department charges a separate commercial review fee of 50% of the building permit fee. Other charges:

• Reinspection: $50
• Inspection outside normal business hours: $75
• Revised plans: at least $100

Contractor licensing

Contracting companies doing plumbing, mechanical, electrical, water softener, sign hanging, wrecking, or building moving work must be licensed with Building Services. Individual plumbers, mechanical fitters, electricians, and softener installers must also hold a master or journeyman license or apprentice registration. They have to work under a licensed company.

Fee	Amount
Contractor registration, new or renewal	$100
New contractor setup	$100
Master license (mechanical, plumbing, soft water)	$50
Journeyman license (mechanical, plumbing, soft water)	$25
Electrical, mechanical, or plumbing registration card (master or journeyman)	$25
Apprentice license	$0

Inspections and occupancy

Give 24 hours’ notice for every inspection. Call (308) 385-5325 during business hours or schedule online in CitizenServe at any time. Inspections run Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to noon. Requests outside those hours need approval from the Chief Building Official.

The standard sequence:

1. Footings, with rebar placed and property pins located
2. Foundation and backfill
3. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-ins, which must pass before framing
4. Framing
5. Final, once all site, building, and trade work is done

No building may be occupied, and no change of occupancy may be made, until the Chief Building Official issues a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion. Commercial projects also need a separate Fire Department final; call (308) 385-5450. Public Works permits and inspects sidewalks, curbs, driveway approaches, and sewer taps; call (308) 385-5455.