City of Broken Bow

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.

Note: Contact the City of Broken Bow Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 872-5831 to confirm whether your project requires a permit. The department can provide details on any exempt work categories.

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.

Permit validity

Not publicly stated. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department for current permit validity and expiration rules.

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).

Source: City of Broken Bow Planning and Zoning Department ↗

1. 01
   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. 02
   Contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (308) 872-5831 to discuss project type and determine which permit application(s) are required.
3. 03
   Download or pick up the appropriate application form from the Planning and Zoning Department or city website.
4. 04
   Prepare required documents: plot plan, floor plan, elevation drawing as required by permit type. Confirm current requirements with City staff.
5. 05
   Submit completed application and documents in person at 314 South 10th Avenue, Broken Bow.
6. 06
   Pay applicable permit fee.
7. 07
   Await zoning review. The department maintains permanent records of all issued permits, zoning regulations, maps, and amendments.
8. 08
   For dwellings, confirm OWTS (septic) compliance and obtain state NDEE onsite wastewater registration if on a septic system.
9. 09
   For electrical work, obtain permit through Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED District 2 - Tony Smith).
10. 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 ↗

Typical 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.