City of Aurora

A building/zoning permit is required for any person intending to build a new structure, add to an existing structure, or make structural changes to the outside perimeter of an existing building within the city's zoning jurisdiction, regardless of cost. Repairs or maintenance of an existing building or structure where the cost exceeds $1,500 (excluding labor costs) also require a zoning permit. A separate Floodplain Development Permit is required for any construction or development within a Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A) as delineated on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. Electrical work requires a separate Nebraska State Electrical Division (NSED) permit; the city does not operate its own electrical inspection program.

Note: Contact the Building Inspection Division before proceeding with any project to confirm whether your project requires a permit. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements.

Building code

Aurora follows the Nebraska State Building Code per Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6406. Under that statute, if a municipality has not adopted a code within two years of the state updating its reference code, the state code applies automatically (with an exemption for farm construction). The state code references the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). The current state-adopted edition should be verified with the city or the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's office, as state code editions update periodically.

Permit validity

Not publicly specified; confirm with the city at time of issuance. Nebraska adopters of the International Building Code typically apply a 180-day commencement and abandonment rule.

Owner-builder

Nebraska generally allows property owners to perform work on their own residence. Confirm with the city whether trade work (plumbing, electrical) has specific owner restrictions.

Contractor requirements

All contractors (with one or more employees) must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor at $25/year and maintain workers' compensation insurance. The city also requires separate local registration for electricians and plumbers (Electrician Registration and Plumbers License Application are available from the city), in addition to state-level licensing/registration requirements.

Source: City of Aurora — Public Works Division (Planning and Zoning) ↗

1. 01
   Determine whether the proposed work is within Aurora city limits or the one-mile extraterritorial zone. If in the extraterritorial zone, contact the city to confirm it is not subject to county zoning instead.
2. 02
   Identify the permit type required: zoning/building permit, floodplain development permit, conditional use permit, subdivision, or variance.
3. 03
   Download the applicable application form from https://aurorane.gov/applications-and-forms/ or pick up in person at 905 13th Street.
4. 04
   Prepare supporting documents: site plan showing lot lines, proposed structure location, setbacks, and access; construction drawings for structural work; contractor information if applicable.
5. 05
   Submit the completed application and all supporting documents in person to City Hall (905 13th St.) or contact the Public Works Division at 402-694-6992 / publicworks@cityofaurora.org for submission instructions.
6. 06
   Pay applicable permit fees at time of submission.
7. 07
   Await review by the Zoning Administrator. Simple/counter permits may be issued same day; projects requiring Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Adjustments review will follow the applicable public hearing cycle.
8. 08
   If conditional use or variance is required, attend the public hearing before the Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Adjustments.
9. 09
   Upon approval, receive issued permit. Post permit on job site.
10. 10
    Schedule required inspections with the city at key construction milestones.
11. 11
    Request final inspection upon project completion.

Typical processing time: Not publicly specified. Simple zoning permits are likely counter-issued for straightforward projects; projects requiring public hearings add time based on the Planning Commission meeting schedule. Contact Jeremy Cattau (Zoning Administrator) at 402-694-6992 for current processing times.

Source: City of Aurora — Public Works Division (Planning and Zoning) ↗

• Public Works Division (402-694-6992) (phone)
• publicworks@cityofaurora.org (email)

Scheduling deadline

Contact the Public Works Division to schedule inspections. No online scheduling portal identified.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical sequence: Typical sequence (general IBC/IRC framework — confirm specifics with city): footing/foundation inspection (before pouring concrete), framing inspection (after framing is complete and before covering walls), mechanical/plumbing/electrical rough-in (before walls are closed; electrical coordinated separately with NSED inspector), final inspection (all work complete; Certificate of Occupancy or Compliance issued). Floodplain inspections are conducted or coordinated by the Floodplain Manager (Jeremy Cattau) for work in Special Flood Hazard Areas per Ordinance 1092.