Building & Fire Safety | Permits and Approvals

Much like any municipality, building permits are required for nearly every construction activity on any given campus, or any of its outlying stations. A general workflow involves obtaining a permit, displaying it at the start of the construction, arranging required inspections at the proper time, and arranging for a final inspection at the end of the construction.

Externally Managed Projects

Apply for a Building Permit

Please note: If you are unsure whether your construction activity requires a building permit, we encourage you to contact us so that we can help you determine if you need one.

If authorized work is to be done outside of FP&CP, the person responsible for doing the work shall obtain a Permit. Acceptable plans and other documentation, as required, shall be submitted along with the Permit application. A Permit fee will apply, based on the value of the work. Once arrangements have been made to cover the Permit fee, and the plans have been approved, the Permit will be issued. The work shall not begin or proceed until the Permit has been obtained.

Permit Application Form

Professional Design Requirements & Acceptability of Documents

Per Sections 105 and 107 of the 2018 International Building Code, as adopted by the Nebraska Building Construction Act (Nebraska Revised Statute 71-6401 to 71-6407), as well as the Rules and Regulations of the State of Nebraska Engineer’s and Architect’s Board, the Code Official is responsible for determining the acceptability of Documents submitted for Permit.

In line with these requirements, professional design, by a Licensed Architect or Registered Professional Engineer is required whenever a project:

Exceeds $100,000 in cost
Exceeds the area limitations allowed as exempt from design requirements in Chapter 10, Section 10.3 of Title 110 of the Nebraska Administrative Code. Please note that the “total impacted area” may include areas outside of the actual work area if Life Safety, Structural, HVAC and Plumbing systems are to be affected by the work.
Is not exempted by the scope limitations established by Section 10.4 of the same document.

The Building Official will review each project to determine whether professional design is required. It is not acceptable to submit closely related smaller projects as a means to circumvent design requirements. Resources from the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architect are used as a basis of this policy. Contact us at buildsafe@nebraska.edu if you have any questions regarding these requirements.

Request an Inspection

Once the Permit has been posted, the person responsible for the work shall request required inspections at the appropriate times. Failure to do so may result in extra charges being incurred. Please email buildsafe@nebraska.edu to request an inspection.

Building Inspection Request Form

Internally Managed Projects

Most construction projects on University of Nebraska property, will be managed by Facilities Management and Planning. The assigned Project Manager will obtain a Building Permit. Permit Fees are included in the Project budget.

Once the Permit has been posted, FP&CP Project Managers will ensure that the person responsible for the work shall request the required inspections at the appropriate times throughout the project.

Permits and Approvals