City Building Permits

Broken Bow, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Nebraska Custer County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Approves and issues zoning permits within the corporate limits and up to a one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction surrounding the city. Residents within the one-mile corridor outside city limits must contact the City, not the County, for permits.

Department
City of Broken Bow Planning and Zoning Department
Address
314 South 10th Avenue, Broken Bow, NE 68822
Phone
(308) 872-5831
Website
https://cityofbrokenbow.org/planning-and-zoning/

Online Permit Portal

Open City of Broken Bow Planning and Zoning

Platform: City Website • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

  1. Confirm whether your parcel is within city corporate limits or the one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction. If within this area, the City (not the County) has permit authority.
  2. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 872-5831 to discuss project type and determine which permit application(s) are required.
  3. Download or pick up the appropriate application form from the Planning and Zoning Department or city website.
  4. Prepare required documents: plot plan, floor plan, elevation drawing as required by permit type. Confirm current requirements with City staff.
  5. Submit completed application and documents in person at 314 South 10th Avenue, Broken Bow.
  6. Pay applicable permit fee.
  7. Await zoning review. The department maintains permanent records of all issued permits, zoning regulations, maps, and amendments.
  8. For dwellings, confirm OWTS (septic) compliance and obtain state NDEE onsite wastewater registration if on a septic system.
  9. For electrical work, obtain permit through Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED District 2 - Tony Smith).
  10. For commercial/public structures, submit plans to Nebraska State Fire Marshal for plan review and approval.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated. Contact Jacob Holcomb at (308) 872-5831.

Source: City of Broken Bow Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

A zoning permit is required for residential construction, commercial development, demolition, sign installation, fence erection, accessory building construction, lot splits, conditional use permits, variance requests, subdivision approvals, and annexation applications within the City of Broken Bow and its one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Required Documents

  • Completed zoning permit application
  • Plot plan/site plan
  • Floor plan
  • Elevation drawing
  • Documentation as required by specific permit type
Permit validity
Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department for current permit validity and expiration rules.
Building code
The City of Broken Bow's specific adopted building code (whether IBC/IRC and which edition) was not confirmed from accessible public sources. Zoning Ordinance No. 1184 (2022) governs land use zoning districts. A separate building code ordinance may apply. Contact Jacob Holcomb at (308) 872-5831 to confirm what structural code, if any, the City currently enforces and whether building inspections are conducted.
Owner-builder
Same as county—Nebraska has no statewide mandatory general contractor license requirement. Property owners may construct their own single-family residences. However, electrical work requires either a licensed electrical contractor or an owner-occupant homeowner electrical permit through NSED. Confirm local plumbing requirements with City staff.
Contractor requirements
Nebraska Contractor Registration Act requires all contractors and subcontractors with one or more employees to register with the Nebraska Department of Labor ($25/year fee; Workers' Compensation Certificate of Insurance required).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Broken Bow Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Structural building inspections: Whether the City of Broken Bow operates a structural building inspection program (framing, foundation, final) was not confirmed at time of research. Given the small city size, a full-time building official is not guaranteed. Contact City Planning and Zoning to confirm.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Broken Bow Planning and Zoning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Broken Bow Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Broken Bow, NE?
A zoning permit is required for residential construction, commercial development, demolition, sign installation, fence erection, accessory building construction, lot splits, conditional use permits, variance requests, subdivision approvals, and annexation applications within the City of Broken Bow and its one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction.
How do I apply for a building permit in Broken Bow, NE?
1. Confirm whether your parcel is within city corporate limits or the one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction. If within this area, the City (not the County) has permit authority. 2. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 872-5831 to discuss project type and determine which permit application(s) are required. 3. Download or pick up the appropriate application form from the Planning and Zoning Department or city website. 4. Prepare required documents: plot plan, floor plan, elevation drawing as required by permit type. Confirm current requirements with City staff. 5. Submit completed application and documents in person at 314 South 10th Avenue, Broken Bow. 6. Pay applicable permit fee. 7. Await zoning review. The department maintains permanent records of all issued permits, zoning regulations, maps, and amendments. 8. For dwellings, confirm OWTS (septic) compliance and obtain state NDEE onsite wastewater registration if on a septic system. 9. For electrical work, obtain permit through Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED District 2 - Tony Smith). 10. For commercial/public structures, submit plans to Nebraska State Fire Marshal for plan review and approval.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Broken Bow, NE?
Typical processing time is Not publicly stated. Contact Jacob Holcomb at (308) 872-5831..

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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