City Building Permits
Tekamah, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Tekamah, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Incorporated limits of the City of Tekamah (population ~1,714). Tekamah is the Burt County seat and largest city in the county.
- Department
- City of Tekamah — Zoning/Building Administrator
- Address
- 1126 S. 13th Street, Tekamah, NE 68061
- Phone
- (402) 870-1498
- tekzoning@tekamah.net
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Paper-based • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact the Zoning/Building Administrator at (402) 870-1498 or tekzoning@tekamah.net to discuss your project scope and confirm permit requirements.
- Download the appropriate permit application (Building, Fence, or Conditional Use) from the city website.
- Complete the application with property information, project description, structure details, contractor name and registration, and any required plans or sketches.
- If your project requires Planning Commission review, submit your application by noon on Monday of the week of the Planning Commission meeting (first Thursday of each month). Administrative permits may be processed faster.
- Submit your completed application to City Hall at 1126 S. 13th Street in person or by mail.
- After approval, pay applicable fees and post the signed permit on the job site.
- Work may NOT begin until you have a signed copy of the permit in your possession.
- Schedule required inspections before concealing any work (foundation, framing, final).
Typical processing time: Planning Commission review applications (first Thursday of each month) must be submitted by noon on Monday prior. Administrative permits may be faster. Contact the Zoning/Building Administrator for current timelines.
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, and changes of use within the incorporated City of Tekamah. Separate fence permits are required for fence installation. Chicken permits are required for keeping chickens on residential property. Conditional Use Permits are required for uses not permitted by right in the applicable zoning district.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application (Building, Fence, or Conditional Use)
- Site plan or sketch showing structure location on the lot
- Description of work and project scope
- Contractor information (name and registration)
- Permit validity
- Permit is void if work does not start within 30 days of issuance. Permit is void if work is not completed within 180 days of issuance.
- Building code
- Tekamah's municipal code (Chapter TEK 9 BLDGS) governs building work within city limits. Nebraska state baseline is IBC/IRC 2018. Confirm whether Tekamah has adopted the state codes by ordinance by contacting the Zoning/Building Administrator.
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may self-permit. Confirm owner-builder provisions with the Zoning/Building Administrator.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must be registered under the Nebraska Contractor Registration Act. Registration fee $25/year; workers' compensation certificate required. See https://dol.nebraska.gov/conreg
Fees
- Payment note
- Fees are set by city ordinance. Payment likely by check.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Tekamah — Zoning/Building Administrator to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (402) 870-1498 (phone)
- tekzoning@tekamah.net (email)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections include foundation, framing, and final. Inspection required before any work is concealed. Certificate of Occupancy issued upon successful final inspection.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Tekamah's municipal code (Chapter TEK 9 BLDGS) governs building work within city limits. Nebraska state baseline is IBC/IRC 2018. Confirm whether Tekamah has adopted the state codes by ordinance by contacting the Zoning/Building Administrator.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Nebraska Contractor Registration
- Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED)
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal
- FEMA Flood Map Lookup
- License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Tekamah — Zoning/Building Administrator before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tekamah Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Tekamah, NE?
- A building permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, and changes of use within the incorporated City of Tekamah. Separate fence permits are required for fence installation. Chicken permits are required for keeping chickens on residential property. Conditional Use Permits are required for uses not permitted by right in the applicable zoning district.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Tekamah, NE?
- 1. Contact the Zoning/Building Administrator at (402) 870-1498 or tekzoning@tekamah.net to discuss your project scope and confirm permit requirements. 2. Download the appropriate permit application (Building, Fence, or Conditional Use) from the city website. 3. Complete the application with property information, project description, structure details, contractor name and registration, and any required plans or sketches. 4. If your project requires Planning Commission review, submit your application by noon on Monday of the week of the Planning Commission meeting (first Thursday of each month). Administrative permits may be processed faster. 5. Submit your completed application to City Hall at 1126 S. 13th Street in person or by mail. 6. After approval, pay applicable fees and post the signed permit on the job site. 7. Work may NOT begin until you have a signed copy of the permit in your possession. 8. Schedule required inspections before concealing any work (foundation, framing, final).
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Tekamah, NE?
- Typical processing time is Planning Commission review applications (first Thursday of each month) must be submitted by noon on Monday prior. Administrative permits may be faster. Contact the Zoning/Building Administrator for current timelines..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Tekamah, NE?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (402) 870-1498, tekzoning@tekamah.net.
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