McCook, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of McCook (first-class city); also exercises extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction two miles beyond corporate limits under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 16-901

Department

City of McCook — Building and Zoning Department

Address

505 W C Street, McCook, NE 69001-1059

Phone

(308) 345-2022, ext. 232

Email

bldginsp@cityofmccook.com

Website

https://www.cityofmccook.com/88/Building-Zoning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm project location is within McCook corporate limits or within extraterritorial jurisdiction (2 miles beyond city limits)
2. Download applicable permit application(s) from city website; separate permit required for each building or structure
3. Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan showing location/dimensions, setbacks, and construction plans as applicable
4. Ensure all contractors hold current City of McCook contractor licenses before submission
5. Submit completed application with applicable fee to Building and Zoning Department at 505 W C Street
6. Building Inspector reviews for compliance with McCook building codes and zoning ordinance
7. Upon approval, building permit is issued; no construction may begin until permit is in hand
8. Call Barry Mooney at (308) 345-2022 ext. 232 or (308) 340-9694 to schedule required inspections
9. For commercial and public-assembly projects, submit plans to Nebraska State Fire Marshal concurrently or prior to city permit process
10. After work completion and final inspection approval, project is closed

Source: City of McCook — Building and Zoning Department

General Requirements

All construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of buildings in City of McCook requires a building permit

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Site plan showing structure location and dimensions
• Setbacks from property lines and street rights-of-way
• Construction plans (as applicable)
• Current City of McCook contractor licenses for all contractors

Building code

McCook has adopted building codes based on 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), consistent with Nebraska state building code, with local amendments to IRC sections on temporary power, automatic fire sprinkler systems, footings for frost protection, and truss design drawings. Complete municipal code (Chapter 150 — Building Codes and Regulations) available through American Legal Publishing: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/mccook/latest/mccook_ne/0-0-0-1

Contractor requirements

Any contractor performing work in City of McCook must hold a current City of McCook contractor license before a building permit will be issued. License types: General Contractor ($200 new/$100 renewal), Building Contractor ($180/$90), Residential Contractor ($150/$75), Plumbing Contractor ($150/$75), Mechanical/HVAC Contractor ($150/$75), Roofing Contractor ($120/$60), Limited Contractor ($120/$60). All licenses valid January 1–December 31 annually. Insurance requirement: $1,000,000 per occurrence liability insurance with City of McCook as certificate holder. No bond required. Proof of experience required for new applications.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25.00 (for projects $0–$5,000)

Plan check fee

$100.00 minimum or agent's hourly rate + 10%

Permit fee formula

Based on project valuation: $0–$5,000 = $25 flat; $5,001–$25,000 = $25 + $5/additional $1K; $25,001–$50,000 = $125 + $4/additional $1K; $50,001–$100,000 = $225 + $3/additional $1K; $100,001–$500,000 = $375 + $2.50/additional $1K; $500,001–$1,000,000 = $1,375 + $2/additional $1K; $1,000,001+ = $2,375 + $1.50/additional $1K

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2023-03-06).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of McCook — Building and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: McCook conducts building inspections at key stages of construction: building, foundation, framing, plumbing, mechanical, and final inspections. Commercial and public-assembly projects are also subject to Nebraska State Fire Marshal inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: McCook has adopted building codes based on 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), consistent with Nebraska state building code, with local amendments to IRC sections on temporary power, automatic fire sprinkler systems, footings for frost protection, and truss design drawings. Complete municipal code (Chapter 150 — Building Codes and Regulations) available through American Legal Publishing: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/mccook/latest/mccook_ne/0-0-0-1
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Nebraska State Fire Marshal
• Nebraska State Electrical Division
• NSED Inspector — Red Willow County (Bruce Hoffman)
• McCook Contractor Licensing
• Nebraska DWEE Floodplain Management
• License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

McCook Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in McCook, NE?

All construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of buildings in City of McCook requires a building permit

How much does a building permit cost in McCook, NE?

The minimum permit fee is $25.00 (for projects $0–$5,000). Fees are calculated as: Based on project valuation: $0–$5,000 = $25 flat; $5,001–$25,000 = $25 + $5/additional $1K; $25,001–$50,000 = $125 + $4/additional $1K; $50,001–$100,000 = $225 + $3/additional $1K; $100,001–$500,000 = $375 + $2.50/additional $1K; $500,001–$1,000,000 = $1,375 + $2/additional $1K; $1,000,001+ = $2,375 + $1.50/additional $1K. Plan check fee: $100.00 minimum or agent's hourly rate + 10%.

How do I apply for a building permit in McCook, NE?

1. Confirm project location is within McCook corporate limits or within extraterritorial jurisdiction (2 miles beyond city limits) 2. Download applicable permit application(s) from city website; separate permit required for each building or structure 3. Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan showing location/dimensions, setbacks, and construction plans as applicable 4. Ensure all contractors hold current City of McCook contractor licenses before submission 5. Submit completed application with applicable fee to Building and Zoning Department at 505 W C Street 6. Building Inspector reviews for compliance with McCook building codes and zoning ordinance 7. Upon approval, building permit is issued; no construction may begin until permit is in hand 8. Call Barry Mooney at (308) 345-2022 ext. 232 or (308) 340-9694 to schedule required inspections 9. For commercial and public-assembly projects, submit plans to Nebraska State Fire Marshal concurrently or prior to city permit process 10. After work completion and final inspection approval, project is closed

How do I schedule a building inspection in McCook, NE?

Inspections can be scheduled via: , , , .

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