How do I apply for a building permit in St. Paul, NE?

1. Contact the City Office at (308) 754-4483 or cityofstpaulwebsite@gmail.com to confirm whether your project requires a zoning permit or building permit. 2. Obtain the permit application from the City Office at 704 6th Street. 3. Prepare a site plan showing lot, structure location, dimensions, and setbacks; include a description of proposed use and contractor information as applicable. 4. Submit the completed application with required documentation to the City Office. 5. City staff reviews the application; the Planning Commission may provide a recommendation. 6. The City Council provides final determination on approval or denial. 7. If approved, the permit is issued. The project must be completed within one (1) year of permit issuance. 8. Schedule any required inspections with the city office. State electrical inspections must be coordinated through the Nebraska State Electrical Division.

What work is exempt from building permits in St. Paul, NE?

The following work is generally exempt: Structures 25 square feet or less in area; Routine maintenance and repairs that do not alter the structure, use, or footprint (confirm with City Office). Note: Exemption from a city zoning permit does not exempt the project from Nebraska State Electrical Division permit requirements or Nebraska DWEE on-site wastewater requirements where applicable. Contact City Office at (308) 754-4483 to confirm whether a specific project is exempt before commencing work.

How do I schedule a building inspection in St. Paul, NE?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (308) 754-4483, Nebraska State Electrical Division (electrical work only).

City Building Permits

St. Paul, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Nebraska Howard County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies to all property within the incorporated limits of the City of St. Paul, Howard County seat. St. Paul is a second-class city with an active Planning Commission and City Council that approve zoning permits.

Department: City of St. Paul Planning Department
Address: 704 6th Street, St. Paul, NE 68873
Phone: (308) 754-4483
Email: cityofstpaulwebsite@gmail.com
Website: https://stpaulnebraska.com/city-departments/planning/

Application Process

Contact the City Office at (308) 754-4483 or cityofstpaulwebsite@gmail.com to confirm whether your project requires a zoning permit or building permit.
Obtain the permit application from the City Office at 704 6th Street.
Prepare a site plan showing lot, structure location, dimensions, and setbacks; include a description of proposed use and contractor information as applicable.
Submit the completed application with required documentation to the City Office.
City staff reviews the application; the Planning Commission may provide a recommendation.
The City Council provides final determination on approval or denial.
If approved, the permit is issued. The project must be completed within one (1) year of permit issuance.
Schedule any required inspections with the city office. State electrical inspections must be coordinated through the Nebraska State Electrical Division.

Typical processing time: Processing time is tied to City Council meeting schedule. Contact (308) 754-4483 for current timelines and meeting dates.

Source: City of St. Paul Planning Department

General Requirements

A Zoning Permit is required before erecting, constructing, enlarging, moving, or using any building or structure over 25 square feet within the city limits (per Zoning Ordinance No. 953, adopted May 18, 2015, with 2021 revisions). Separate state electrical permits are required for all electrical installations.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Site plan showing lot, structure location, dimensions, and setbacks
Description of proposed use
Contractor information as applicable

Permit validity: Issued permit is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. The project must be substantially complete within this period.
Building code: No residential structural building code adoption confirmed in public sources beyond zoning ordinance framework. Review City Code at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/stpaulne/latest/stpaul_ne/0-0-0-1 or contact the City Office to confirm any adopted structural codes.
Owner-builder: Contact City Office at (308) 754-4483 for owner-builder rules and requirements.
Contractor requirements: Nebraska Contractor Registration Act registration required for contractors with employees ($25/yr with workers' compensation certificate; dol.nebraska.gov/conreg). Nebraska State Electrical Division licensing required for electrical work. No city-specific contractor registration identified.

Fees

Payment note: Fees are paid in person at the City Office at 704 6th Street. Contact (308) 754-4483 for payment options.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of St. Paul Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(308) 754-4483 (phone)
Nebraska State Electrical Division (electrical work only) (online)

Typical inspection sequence: State electrical inspection required prior to concealment of wiring and again at final. Any locally required structural inspections should be confirmed with the City Office at (308) 754-4483.

Additional Resources

Building code: No residential structural building code adoption confirmed in public sources beyond zoning ordinance framework. Review City Code at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/stpaulne/latest/stpaul_ne/0-0-0-1 or contact the City Office to confirm any adopted structural codes.
Zoning information: View zoning info
City Website
City Contact Page
Boards and Commissions
Nebraska State Electrical Division
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 St. Paul Planning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in St. Paul, NE?: A Zoning Permit is required before erecting, constructing, enlarging, moving, or using any building or structure over 25 square feet within the city limits (per Zoning Ordinance No. 953, adopted May 18, 2015, with 2021 revisions). Separate state electrical permits are required for all electrical installations.
How do I apply for a building permit in St. Paul, NE?: 1. Contact the City Office at (308) 754-4483 or cityofstpaulwebsite@gmail.com to confirm whether your project requires a zoning permit or building permit. 2. Obtain the permit application from the City Office at 704 6th Street. 3. Prepare a site plan showing lot, structure location, dimensions, and setbacks; include a description of proposed use and contractor information as applicable. 4. Submit the completed application with required documentation to the City Office. 5. City staff reviews the application; the Planning Commission may provide a recommendation. 6. The City Council provides final determination on approval or denial. 7. If approved, the permit is issued. The project must be completed within one (1) year of permit issuance. 8. Schedule any required inspections with the city office. State electrical inspections must be coordinated through the Nebraska State Electrical Division.
How long does it take to get a building permit in St. Paul, NE?: Typical processing time is Processing time is tied to City Council meeting schedule. Contact (308) 754-4483 for current timelines and meeting dates..
What work is exempt from building permits in St. Paul, NE?: The following work is generally exempt: Structures 25 square feet or less in area; Routine maintenance and repairs that do not alter the structure, use, or footprint (confirm with City Office). Note: Exemption from a city zoning permit does not exempt the project from Nebraska State Electrical Division permit requirements or Nebraska DWEE on-site wastewater requirements where applicable. Contact City Office at (308) 754-4483 to confirm whether a specific project is exempt before commencing work.
How do I schedule a building inspection in St. Paul, NE?: Inspections can be scheduled via: (308) 754-4483, Nebraska State Electrical Division (electrical work only).

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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.