In Columbus, building and plumbing permits are issued by the Community Development Department (the Building Department) at 2500 14th Street, Suite 3 (402-562-4236), for the city and its two-mile extraterritorial area, and applications are filed in the BS&A Online portal. Under the Schedule of Fees the City Council adopted for 2026–2027, the building permit is priced on valuation from $27.50, with a plan review fee of 10% for residential-code work and 25% for building-code work. Electrical permits come from the State Electrical Division.
What requires a building permit in Columbus?
Permit required
- All new construction, including additions, enclosures and garages
- Residential accessory buildings over 120 square feet
- Decks, fences and swimming pools
- Interior remodeling that removes walls or wall coverings, adds rooms or finishes a basement
- Moving or demolishing a structure
- Patio covers and carports
- Structural repairs, and repairs that enlarge or move openings
- Signs, including mobile signs
- Plumbing, gas lines, water softeners, lawn sprinklers and sewer or water connections
No permit
- Residential accessory buildings of 120 square feet or less (they must still meet setbacks and floodplain rules)
- Storm windows and roof gutters
- Painting, papering and similar finish work
- Re-roofing or re-siding an existing structure
The Chief Building & Code Official may also waive the permit for a temporary structure, or one under 120 square feet with no foundation.
Who issues permits in Columbus?
The Community Development Department administers and enforces building, zoning and construction laws in the city and the two-mile area around it, and also handles development review and the Comprehensive Plan. Andy Woehrer is the Chief Building & Code Official.
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Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Department | Community Development (Building Department) |
| Address | 2500 14th Street, Suite 3, P.O. Box 1677, Columbus, NE 68602-1677 |
| Phone | 402-562-4236 |
| CommDevPermits@columbusne.us | |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Water Department (taps) | 402-562-2008 |
| Street Department (tree permits) | 402-562-4253 |
Codes, the portal and registration
Columbus enforces the 2018 International Building and Existing Building Codes, the 2018 International Residential Code and the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code, each with city amendments, a limited adoption of the 2018 International Fire Code, and the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code. The 2018 International Energy Conservation Code applies through state adoption, and the 2010 ADA standards are part of the city’s commercial plan review under a State Fire Marshal delegation; the permits page also refers commercial plan review and inspection questions to the State Fire Marshal.
- Homeowners apply through the residential link of BS&A Online; only homeowners may use it.
- Contractors must register with the city first (no fee, with a certificate of insurance for $1,000,000 aggregate) and apply through the contractor section of BS&A Online with their account and Web PIN.
- Plumbers register too: master plumber $60 a year with insurance, journeyman $30, apprentice $20; a homeowner’s do-your-own plumbing registration is $30, and water conditioning contractors and installers pay $30.
A computer for online applications is available at City Hall, on the third floor of the Community Building.
Columbus permit fees (2026–2027)
The City Council adopted the Schedule of Fees for fiscal year 2026–2027 by Resolution R26-120 on September 21, 2026, effective October 1, 2026. The building permit fee is based on the total valuation of the work:
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Valuation | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 to $2,000 | $27.50 |
| $2,001 to $25,000 | $27.50 for the first $2,000, plus $5.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,001 to $50,000 | $154 for the first $25,000, plus $4.40 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 to $100,000 | $264 for the first $50,000, plus $3.85 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 to $500,000 | $456.50 for the first $100,000, plus $2.20 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,001 and up | $1,336.50 for the first $500,000, plus $1.65 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plan review, International Residential Code | 10% of the building permit fee |
| Plan review, International Building Code | 25% of the building permit fee |
| Online application administrative fee | $2 |
| Fence / demolition | $30 each |
| Signs | $35 (0–99 sq ft), $65 (100–199), $120 (200–300) |
| Mobile home set-down | $100 |
| New house plumbing | $80 for one bathroom, $15 per additional bathroom, $13 per additional half bath |
| New commercial plumbing | $75 plus $5 per fixture or trap opening |
| Plumbing remodel or extension | $15 plus $5 per fixture or trap opening |
| Gas piping | $30 up to five outlets, plus $5 for each outlet over five |
| Sewer and water inspection (not part of a new building permit) / lawn sprinkler | $25 / $20 |
| Work started before the permit | May be doubled at the Chief Building & Code Official’s discretion |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →For example, a new house valued at $300,000 carries a building permit fee of $896.50 ($456.50 plus 200 × $2.20), a residential plan review fee of $89.65 and the $2 online fee, $988.15 in all before plumbing and other permits. Fees shown when you apply are estimates; pay only after the approval email with the invoice arrives.
What to upload with the application
Residential
- Detailed site plan: lot lines, setbacks, existing buildings, parking, drainage and landscaping
- Detailed building plans, one digital set
- REScheck energy report (online version) for new homes
- Small Lot Notice of Intent for stormwater (SWPPP) when the lot is under 1 acre
- Deck layout form for decks; asbestos report for a full demolition
Commercial
- Detailed site plan
- Detailed building plans with mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans
- One digital and one physical set of plans
- COMcheck energy report (online version)
- Plans certified by a Nebraska engineer or architect where state law requires it
Applications missing documents are returned before review. The city gives typical review times of up to 15 working days for residential permits, 10 to 15 days for simple add-ons and garages, and 15 or more working days for commercial work.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →How to get a Columbus building permit
Confirm the address is inside the city or its two-mile area using the jurisdiction link on the city’s permits page.
Review the required-documents sheet and any project guide (decks, fences, accessory buildings, carports, egress windows, site plans).
Contractors and plumbers register with the city and file a certificate of insurance before submitting.
Fill in every field and attach the documents; homeowners use the residential link, contractors their contractor account.
The Permit Technician or Building Inspector emails any questions; pay only after the approval email with the invoice.
The permit comes with a weather card listing the required inspections, which you schedule with the Building Department.
Inspections in Columbus
Every inspection the job needs is listed on the weather card issued with the permit, and the applicant or contractor is responsible for scheduling each one with the Building Department (402-562-4236). Gas lines, propane or natural gas, need a pressure test, and the gas company will not connect service without a city inspection tag. Sewer and water connections are inspected by the Building Department, while tap fees are arranged with the Water Department. Permits are valid for two years from issue; permits left with incomplete inspections stay open and may face reissuance fees after two years.
Local Columbus details
Electrical work: the city does not issue electrical permits; it sends applicants to the State Electrical Division for permits and inspections.
Floodplain, streets and trees: the Engineering division takes structural and non-structural floodplain development applications, right-of-way occupancy and sidewalk, driveway or parking paving permits, and the Street Department issues tree permits.
Board of Adjustment: variance requests are heard on the third Monday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Community Room of the Columbus Community Building, 2500 14th Street, and must be filed by 6 p.m. on the first Monday of the month.
Planning Commission: meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the Council Chambers of the same building.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Nebraska building code
Nebraska's state building code applies by default where a city, village or county has adopted none; local codes must conform generally, and the energy code is mandatory statewide. Nebraska rules
Official Columbus permitting resources
- Columbus Community Development Department
- Columbus licenses and permits, guides and applications
- Columbus adopted building codes
- Columbus Community Development FAQs
- Columbus step-by-step building permit guide
- Residential permit required documents
- Commercial permit required documents
- Contractor permit submission guide
- Columbus Schedule of Fees 2026–2027
- Building permit fees (2026–2027 schedule)
- Plumbing licence and permit fees (2026–2027 schedule)
- Columbus BS&A Online permit portal
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Columbus permit FAQs
How much is a building permit in Columbus?
It is based on valuation, from $27.50 for work up to $2,000; a $300,000 house pays $896.50, plus a 10% plan review fee and a $2 online fee.
Do I need a permit for a shed?
Only if it is larger than 120 square feet; smaller sheds still have to meet setback and floodplain rules.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof or siding?
No. The city’s fee schedule says no permit is required for re-roofing or re-siding an existing structure.
How long does plan review take?
Up to 15 working days for residential permits, 10 to 15 days for simple add-ons and garages, and 15 or more working days for commercial projects.
Can a homeowner apply for their own permit?
Yes, through the homeowner link in BS&A Online; homeowners doing their own plumbing register for $30.
Who issues electrical permits in Columbus?
The State Electrical Division, which also does the electrical inspections.
How long is a permit valid?
Two years from the date of issue.
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More Nebraska permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Columbus permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.