Hastings building department

Hastings Development Services handles planning and zoning, plan review, permits, inspections and code enforcement. The office has moved back into the renovated City Hall at 615 W. 3rd Street. The City’s Contractors Handbook, printed May 30, 2025, still gives the old Yost Avenue address. The City’s rules cover Hastings and its two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction, so many rural-fringe parcels in Adams County are permitted through the City, not the county.

Applying for a permit

All permit and planning applications go through the City’s iWorQ portal. The “Online Permits and Applications” link on the Development Services site sends you there. In the portal you can submit applications, upload plans, check permit status and pay online.

The handbook asks applicants to have drawings prepared by a qualified person and to show all trades (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) on the plans. Typical review times from the handbook:

• One- or two-family dwelling on a single lot: about 5 to 7 business days, if the application is complete and nothing needs to change.
• Commercial projects, including group-dwelling sites: about 2 to 3 weeks on average.

Commercial projects can use phased permits or deferred submittals (for example sprinkler, fire alarm or truss shop drawings). Approval of later phases isn’t guaranteed.

Development Services sends each application to the other City departments that need to review it: Fire (402-461-2350), Utilities (402-463-1371), Street (402-461-2344), Environmental Engineering for stormwater (402-461-2339) and Parks for terrace trees (402-461-2324). The City does not forward plans to state agencies. You file directly with the State Fire Marshal (commercial fire and life-safety review), the Department of Agriculture (food service) and DHHS (public pools, childcare, tattoo studios).

What needs a permit

Under Section 8-401 of the City Code, you need a building permit to erect, move or alter any building, and each structure needs its own permit. The handbook also lists these permits and exemptions:

Work	Permit rule
Plumbing	Required to build, alter or repair a system. Not required to clear stoppages, fix leaks, or replace fixtures or faucets without changing the drainage.
Gas	Required for system work. Not required to repair a leak.
Electrical	Required when the work involves more than 3 electrical devices. Not required for general repairs or maintenance.
Re-roofing	Required to replace any roof. Not required to repair a leak.
Siding	Required to replace or cover siding. Not required to repair damage.
Awnings	Building permit required. Awnings that project more than 6 ft need a Nebraska-licensed engineer or architect. Sign awnings get a sign permit instead.
Fences, signs, curb cuts/driveways, dumpsters in the right-of-way	Separate permits from Development Services
Demolition and moving a building	Demo permit (also covers leftover slabs and footings) or moving permit

Swimming pools and hot tubs are reviewed under the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.

Codes in the handbook

The 2025 handbook lists these codes:

• the 2018 IBC, IRC, IFC, IMC, IPC and IEBC
• 2018 NFPA 54 for fuel gas
• the 2017 NEC
• the 2010 ADA Standards

The handbook itself tells readers to confirm the current editions with Development Services, because codes update on a three-year cycle. Chapter 8 of the City Code holds the building, electrical, plumbing and gas articles. The Codes & Applications page links the Municode chapters.

Inspections

You call the inspector directly. The handbook says required inspections include:

• footings
• framing
• underground or rough-in for every trade
• insulation
• fire-resistive construction
• a firewall check by the Fire Inspector
• final inspections for the general contract and each trade

Inspections may need 24-hour notice. Inspectors can refuse service on sites that don’t meet minimum OSHA standards.

Contact	Phone
Development Services front desk	(402) 461-2331
Chief Building Official	(402) 461-2301
Building inspectors	(402) 461-2305, (402) 461-2373
Electrical inspector	(402) 461-2340
Fire inspector	(402) 462-7155, (402) 462-7151
City Planner	(402) 461-2314

Your permit expires if work doesn’t start within 180 days, or if more than 180 days pass between inspections. If you start without a permit, the fee can be up to double, and building-code violations carry fines of up to $500 a day. You can’t occupy a building until it passes final inspection and the City issues a Certificate of Occupancy. A temporary occupancy permit is possible once the Building Official and Fire Department sign off.

Contractors and homeowners

Plumbing, gas and electrical permits must be pulled by a City-licensed plumber, gas fitter or electrician. These trade permits can’t be transferred: if you change licensed contractors, you need a new permit. Homeowners or roofers and siding installers can apply for roofing and siding permits.

Independent contractors working in the City’s jurisdiction must:

• register with the City
• pay an annual occupation tax ($100 for electrical, gas, plumbing, water conditioner, lawn sprinkler and utility contracting), due December 31 and paid at Development Services
• file proof of liability insurance

Trade	Minimum liability insurance
Electrical	$300,000
Gas fitting	$500,000
Plumbing	$1,000,000
Utility contractors	$1,000,000, plus a maintenance bond

Site rules

• New homes must build a public sidewalk (Chapter 44).
• Every construction site needs at least one portable toilet, anchored on private property.
• Stormwater plans (SWPPP and NOI) are submitted with the building permit. Sites disturbing an acre or more also file with the state.
• The handbook sets construction hours at 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.