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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Papillion
New single-family residences; commercial/multifamily construction; residential additions and remodels; basement finishes; accessory structures (fences, sheds, decks, detached garages, re-roofing, pools, driveways/patios); electrical; mechanical; plumbing; fire sprinkler and alarm systems; signs; street/curb cuts; storage tanks; change of occupancy
Sheds completely in the backyard that are less than 200 square feet in area, less than 10 feet tall, and detached
Minor repairs and maintenance as defined in IRC Section R105.2 and IBC Section 105.2
- Exempt Sheds completely in the backyard that are less than 200 square feet in area, less than 10 feet tall, and detached
- Exempt Minor repairs and maintenance as defined in IRC Section R105.2 and IBC Section 105.2
Note: Specific exemptions under 'Permits shall not be required for the following' as stated in Ordinance 1740; contact department or review ordinance for full list
Required documents
- Completed online application
- Site/plot plan
- Construction drawings
- Energy code certification (Nebraska Energy Code Certification form)
- Specific checklists per permit type (deck brochure, detached garage/shed submittal, egress window handout, etc.)
- For commercial: Minimum Standards for Site and Building Plans and Civil Site Plan Guidance
- Emergency business contact form
- Building code
- 2018 International Residential Code (IRC); 2018 International Building Code (IBC); 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC); 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC); 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC); 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC); 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); 2018 International Fire Code (IFC); 2018 International Code Council Performance Code (ICCPC); 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC, effective 5/17/2023); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC, effective 8/1/2024); NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (2012 editions, per state delegation effective 3/3/2021)
- Permit validity
- Not separately published; contact department
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may pull electrical permits but must sign a Homeowner Verification Form in person at the city office; State of Nebraska electrician license is required for contractor electrical permits
- Contractor requirements
- Electrical contractors: State of Nebraska license required; other trades: confirm with department at 402-597-2029
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not published; contact department at 402-597-2029
- 01 Create an account at https://aca.accela.com/papillion/default.aspx.
- 02 Determine permit type (residential, commercial, accessory use, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, signs, etc.).
- 03 Download and review applicable submittal documents from https://www.papillion.org/186/Permit-Application-Forms before beginning online application.
- 04 Submit the permit application online; upload all required plans and documents.
- 05 Pay permit fees online; some permit types are automatically issued upon submission; others require plan review.
- 06 For electrical permits: state of Nebraska electrician license is required; homeowner verification form must be signed at the city office for owner-pull electrical permits.
- 07 If plan review is required, applicant is notified via Accela portal when approved or if corrections are needed.
- 08 Permit is issued; permit card must be posted on the job site.
- 09 Schedule inspections through the Accela portal or by calling the inspections hotline at 402-597-2072.
- 10 Receive final inspection and certificate of occupancy upon completion.
Typical processing time: Not published; contact department at 402-597-2029
§ 04
Fee schedule
Papillion building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Not separately published; consult Master Fee Schedule
02
Permit fee formula
Building Valuation Data (BVD) table used to determine estimated building value for permit fee calculation; BVD value is independent of actual bid amount; example rates: Agricultural/single-family dwellings: 0.84% of building permit valuation; Residential (single-family, townhouse, duplex): 77.9 cents per total square foot; Mobile Home: $1,649 per unit; additions, alterations, and repairs are generally not covered by BVD table and are valued by project scope
03
Reinspection fee
Not separately published; consult Master Fee Schedule
Online payment through Accela portal; in-person payment at City Hall
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Accela portal (online)
- 402-597-2072 (inspections hotline) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Leave project type, address, and contact information when calling hotline
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, standard business hours
Typical sequence: Foundation (after trenches excavated); frame inspection (after roof and framing in place and before insulation/covering); final inspection (after construction complete and ready for occupancy); trade-specific inspections for electrical, plumbing, mechanical as required
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Papillion permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Papillion, NE? ▸
New single-family residences; commercial/multifamily construction; residential additions and remodels; basement finishes; accessory structures (fences, sheds, decks, detached garages, re-roofing, pools, driveways/patios); electrical; mechanical; plumbing; fire sprinkler and alarm systems; signs; street/curb cuts; storage tanks; change of occupancy
02 How much does a building permit cost in Papillion, NE? ▸
Building permit fees in Papillion, NE are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Building Valuation Data (BVD) table used to determine estimated building value for permit fee calculation; BVD value is independent of actual bid amount; example rates: Agricultural/single-family dwellings: 0.84% of building permit valuation; Residential (single-family, townhouse, duplex): 77.9 cents per total square foot; Mobile Home: $1,649 per unit; additions, alterations, and repairs are generally not covered by BVD table and are valued by project scope. Plan check fee: Not separately published; consult Master Fee Schedule.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Papillion, NE? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Papillion, NE, follow these steps: 1. Create an account at https://aca.accela.com/papillion/default.aspx. 2. Determine permit type (residential, commercial, accessory use, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, signs, etc.). 3. Download and review applicable submittal documents from https://www.papillion.org/186/Permit-Application-Forms before beginning online application. 4. Submit the permit application online; upload all required plans and documents. 5. Pay permit fees online; some permit types are automatically issued upon submission; others require plan review. 6. For electrical permits: state of Nebraska electrician license is required; homeowner verification form must be signed at the city office for owner-pull electrical permits. 7. If plan review is required, applicant is notified via Accela portal when approved or if corrections are needed. 8. Permit is issued; permit card must be posted on the job site. 9. Schedule inspections through the Accela portal or by calling the inspections hotline at 402-597-2072. 10. Receive final inspection and certificate of occupancy upon completion.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Papillion, NE? ▸
Building permit processing times in Papillion, NE typically run Not published; contact department at 402-597-2029. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Papillion, NE? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Papillion, NE. The following work is generally exempt: Sheds completely in the backyard that are less than 200 square feet in area, less than 10 feet tall, and detached; Minor repairs and maintenance as defined in IRC Section R105.2 and IBC Section 105.2. Note: Specific exemptions under 'Permits shall not be required for the following' as stated in Ordinance 1740; contact department or review ordinance for full list When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Papillion, NE? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Papillion, NE via: Accela portal, 402-597-2072 (inspections hotline). Leave project type, address, and contact information when calling hotline.
last verified April 2026
source Building and Fire Safety Department ↗
entry id permits/nebraska/sarpy/papillion
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building and Fire Safety Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.