Frequently Asked Questions

Permits are not required for cosmetic improvements such as painting, carpeting, or replacing kitchen cabinets. Permits are required for siding, roofing, replacing windows that are not the exact same size or replacing windows in bedrooms, apartments or hotels where the new windows are required to meet the egress requirements, installing fences, accessory buildings, interior remodels, and furnace/air conditioning replacement. Please contact City Hall if there is a question of whether a permit is or is not required.

Permit fees are figured one of three ways: 1. Based on the square footage of the project area, such as the finished area of a new house or addition, or the size of a garage. City hall will determine the fee and notify the applicant.
2. Based on the number of specific items involved with the permit, such as number of electrical receptacles, number of bathrooms, number of furnaces.
3. A flat fee for specific types of projects, such a roofing, siding or new sidewalk.
Most building permits also have a deposit ($50, $200 or $500) which is refunded once the project is completed and has passed the final inspection.
Contact the Building Department (402.426.4191) for specific fee information.

It usually takes three to five working days to process a permit requiring plan review and zoning review. Some permits can be approved while you wait at the service counter or within 24 hours.

For asphalt shingles, due to the fact that eastern Nebraska is an area subject to moderate or severe hail, all existing layers of roof coverings must be removed. For all other types of roof covering, if the existing roof covering is water soaked or has severely deteriorated, if the existing roof is wood shake, slate, clay, cement, or asbestos-cement tile, or if the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering the existing roof coverings must be removed before installing new roof coverings. (2009 IRC, Section R907.3)

Footings are required for all structures that require a permit. Accessory structures which are not greater than 120 sq/ft do not require a permit. Accessory structures 200 sq/ft or greater require footings in accordance with the Building Codes. Accessory structures greater than 120 sq/ft but smaller than 200 sq/ft can have alternate footings. See this attachment for details.

All footings, including poles and piers, shall be inspected when the excavating is complete and all required forms and/or reinforcing steel is in place prior to placing of concrete.

Effective 1/1/2008, a homeowner can only install electrical wiring in the home that is their principal residence. Homeowners are no longer allowed to install electrical wiring in a new home they are constructing or a home they have purchased to move into. Also, homeowners are no longer allowed to replace an electrical service due to the fact it is not considered routine maintenance.

The issuance or granting of a permit shall not be construed to be approval of any violations of any provisions of building code or ordinances of Blair. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data shall not prevent the building official from requiring corrections of errors in the construction documents and other data.

If no work has begun within 180 days of the issuance of a permit, then the project shall be deemed abandoned, unless an extension has been granted. If you need an extension for an unforeseen delay, please contact the Building Department at 402.426.4191.

According to state law, any project in which a commercial structure exceeds 5,000 square feet, 30 feet in height, or is to be occupied by 20 people or more, must have plans prepared by, or under the supervision of, an architect or professional engineer licensed in the State of Nebraska. Qualifying projects must carry the seal of the design professional before it is accepted by the local building official. (Nebraska Engineers & Architects Act)

The basement must have one egress window or door, and every sleeping room must have at least one egress window or door in the room. Egress windows shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor of the room. Basements with one or more sleeping rooms shall have at least one egress window in each sleeping rooms, but are not required to have additional egress windows in adjoining areas of the basement. (2009 IRC Code, Section R310.1)