LINCOLN -- The City Council revised an ordinance for building permits to require permits for alterations or remodeling projects.
The ordinance exempts portable buildings and cosmetic alterations, such as new cabinets, replacing floor and wall coverings or replacing windows of the same size.
The new ordinance, which takes effect in 60 days, changes the covered structures requiring a building permit. The current ordinance says permits are required for construction or placement of any building or structure.
The new ordinance, known as the 2017 Remodel Building Permit Amendment, requires permits for projects that include construction, remodel, alter, or for placing a building or structure on land.
Permits also will be required for any roofing repair larger than 100 square feet within a one-year period. In addition, property owners will have to get permits for projects that include modifications involving structural work or work on the framing of the structure.
City business manager Rhonda Hulse said the city's building inspector recommended the changes so remodeling and construction projects will have to be inspected for safety reasons.
The council considered changes to the city's ordinance for building permits in March 2016, but tabled the proposal for more discussion. Several aldermen said it appeared the ordinance would require homeowners to get permits for home improvement projects, such as installing new carpet and painting jobs.
The ordinance approved last week also sets fees for building permits and inspections for remodeling projects.
For remodels, alterations, roofs or structural work not expanding the footprint of a structure, permit fees are based on estimated cost of work and will be $25 for the first $1,000 of work and $4 per additional thousand dollars.
NW News on 08/29/2017