Frequently Asked Questions

Zone changes require an application, which must appear before the Planning Commission for a recommendation and then before the City Council for approval. Zone changes must be consistent with the Future Land Use Map, and must not create a spot zone (one lot different than all the surrounding lots).
For more information, please contact the Building Department at 402.426.4191.

Zoning Regulations allow a 42-inch high maximum on fences in the front yard. In the case of a corner lot, no fence constructed in the second front yard (the side yard abutting the street) of a corner lot shall exceed 48 inches in height. Fences that are located in the side and back yards can be up to 6 feet in height. Finally, no fence, or other object, can exceed 30-inches in height in the sight triangle. (Article 11, Section 1102)

First, determine the zoning district your property is located in by checking the City's zoning map or calling the Planning Division at (785) 587-1853.

Next, look up the permitted uses for your zoning district. If your use is not listed in the permitted use section, check the conditional use section to determine if your use requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUOP).

Some general uses that typically require a CUP include drive-through restaurants, gas stations, childcare facilities, and educational facilities. For more information, please visit

The term setback means the required distance separating a building or structure from a property line. Setback regulations for buildings are included in the Zoning Ordinance under Title 18. Setback regulations for accessory structures are included in the Zoning Ordinance under Chapter 18.45. For more information, please view the Civic City

No. Permitted types of fencing include chain link fencing, wood fencing (including split rail), wrought iron, plastic, vinyl or other ornamental fencing. (Article 11, Section 1102 (5))

Yes. Fences can be placed either on or inside the property line. If you locate the fence on the property line, you automatically give permission to an adjoining neighbor to physically connect to your fence. Also, if your neighbor disputes the location of the property line, you must have the property line located by a surveyor licensed in Nebraska.

Yes. Article 11, Section 1111 covers the requirements for off-street parking spaces and off-street loading spaces. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also has specific requirements for parking spaces and the accessible path into facilities.

Accessory buildings are subordinate buildings that are incidental to the main/principal building on the premises in residential districts. Customary accessory buildings include, but are not limited to, detached garages, storage sheds, and garden houses. (Article 3 Section 303)

Only two accessory buildings can be constructed on each property. (Article 11, Section 1103.02)

No. No accessory building shall be constructed on a property that does not already have a primary building or structure. No accessory building shall remain if the primary structure is removed or demolished. (Article 11, Section 1103.02 (4))

Accessory buildings allowing vehicle access perpendicular to an alleyway shall be located a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the property line. Accessory buildings allowing vehicle access parallel to an alleyway shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet from the property line. (Article 11, Section 1103.03)

The best way to report a problem or complaint is to use the Citizen Request feature of this website. By creating an account, you can track the issue in the system and receive progress updates as City staff work to resolve the issue. Click on the "Citizen Requests" button to the lower left side of the screen. If you do not desire to use the Citizen Request feature, please call City Hall at 402.426.4191 and we will take your report over the phone.

Permits are not required for cosmetic improvements such as painting, carpeting, or replacing kitchen cabinets. Permits are required for siding, roofing, replacing windows that are not the exact same size or replacing windows in bedrooms, apartments or hotels where the new windows are required to meet the egress requirements, installing fences, accessory buildings, interior remodels, and furnace/air conditioning replacement. Please contact City Hall if there is a question of whether a permit is or is not required.

Permit fees are figured one of three ways: 1. Based on the square footage of the project area, such as the finished area of a new house or addition, or the size of a garage. City hall will determine the fee and notify the applicant.
2. Based on the number of specific items involved with the permit, such as number of electrical receptacles, number of bathrooms, number of furnaces.
3. A flat fee for specific types of projects, such a roofing, siding or new sidewalk.
Most building permits also have a deposit ($50, $200 or $500) which is refunded once the project is completed and has passed the final inspection.
Contact the Building Department (402.426.4191) for specific fee information.

It usually takes three to five working days to process a permit requiring plan review and zoning review. Some permits can be approved while you wait at the service counter or within 24 hours.

For asphalt shingles, due to the fact that eastern Nebraska is an area subject to moderate or severe hail, all existing layers of roof coverings must be removed. For all other types of roof covering, if the existing roof covering is water soaked or has severely deteriorated, if the existing roof is wood shake, slate, clay, cement, or asbestos-cement tile, or if the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering the existing roof coverings must be removed before installing new roof coverings. (2009 IRC, Section R907.3)

Footings are required for all structures that require a permit. Accessory structures which are not greater than 120 sq/ft do not require a permit. Accessory structures 200 sq/ft or greater require footings in accordance with the Building Codes. Accessory structures greater than 120 sq/ft but smaller than 200 sq/ft can have alternate footings. See this attachment for details.

All footings, including poles and piers, shall be inspected when the excavating is complete and all required forms and/or reinforcing steel is in place prior to placing of concrete.

Effective 1/1/2008, a homeowner can only install electrical wiring in the home that is their principal residence. Homeowners are no longer allowed to install electrical wiring in a new home they are constructing or a home they have purchased to move into. Also, homeowners are no longer allowed to replace an electrical service due to the fact it is not considered routine maintenance.

The issuance or granting of a permit shall not be construed to be approval of any violations of any provisions of building code or ordinances of Blair. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data shall not prevent the building official from requiring corrections of errors in the construction documents and other data.

If no work has begun within 180 days of the issuance of a permit, then the project shall be deemed abandoned, unless an extension has been granted. If you need an extension for an unforeseen delay, please contact the Building Department at 402.426.4191.

According to state law, any project in which a commercial structure exceeds 5,000 square feet, 30 feet in height, or is to be occupied by 20 people or more, must have plans prepared by, or under the supervision of, an architect or professional engineer licensed in the State of Nebraska. Qualifying projects must carry the seal of the design professional before it is accepted by the local building official. (Nebraska Engineers & Architects Act)

The basement must have one egress window or door, and every sleeping room must have at least one egress window or door in the room. Egress windows shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor of the room. Basements with one or more sleeping rooms shall have at least one egress window in each sleeping rooms, but are not required to have additional egress windows in adjoining areas of the basement. (2009 IRC Code, Section R310.1)

The purpose of this code is to provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health and general welfare.

The city requires that a request for an inspection be made 24 hours in advance of the desired inspection time. Although City staff always tries to accommodate same day inspection requests, City staff cannot guarantee the inspector will be available.

The snow load is 30 pounds and the wind speed is 90 mph.

When there is usable space both above and below the concealed space of a floor/ceiling assembly, draft stops shall be installed so that the area of the concealed space does not exceed 1,000 square feet. Draft stopping shall divide the concealed space into approximately equal areas. Where the assembly’s enclosed by a floor membrane above and a ceiling membrane below, draft stopping shall be provided in the floor/ceiling assemblies under the following circumstances: - Ceiling is suspended under the floor framing. - Floor framing is constructed of truss-type, open-web or perforated members.

Yes, enclosed accessible space under the stairs shall have walls, under stair surface and any soffits protected on the enclosed side with gypsum board. (2009 IRC Code, Section R311.2.2)

The floor or landing at the exit door shall not be more than 1.5 inches lower than the top of the threshold. (2009 IRC Code, Section R311.4.3)

No. The required exit door shall provide for direct access from habitable portions of the building without requiring travel through a garage. (2009 IRC Code, Section R311.4.1)

Yes. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is federal legislation, the ADA mandates enforcement of the ADA requirements by the City of Blair.

Yes. If a counter has a register for sales or distribution of goods or services to the public the counter must meet ADA requirements. If a business has an existing counter, and a remodel project is undertaken but the existing counter will be utilized, a folding shelf 36 inches in height and 36 inches in length is required to be attached. If a new counter is installed during an alteration, remodel or new construction project a portion of the main counter shall have a length of 36 inches and a maximum height above finish floor of 36 inches. (ADA, Title 156, Section 7.2, Page 61)

Is there a size requirement for egress windows? Yes, the minimum opening shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. Also, the window is required to have a maximum height of 44” from finish floor to the window sill plate. (2009 IRC Code, Section R310.1 & R310.1.1) What are the requirements for window wells? The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet, with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches. If the depth of the window well is greater than 44 inches the well shall be equipped with a ladder or steps usable with the window fully open. (2009 IRC Code, Section R310.2 & 310.2.1)*

Porches, decks, balconies or raised floor surfaces located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than 36 inches in height. This also includes open sides of stairs with a total rise of more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than 34 inches in height. (2009 IRC Section R312.1)

Are manufactured homes allowed in city limits? Manufactured homes are considered single-family dwellings under the City of Blair’s Zoning Ordinance and are allowed in any zoning district where single-family dwellings are permitted. However, some subdivisions are governed by covenants that may not permit manufactured homes. (MC Section 9-109) Does the city have any other requirements regarding manufactured homes? Yes, the city requires that manufactured homes have at least 900 square feet of floor area, at least an 18 foot exterior width, a roof pitch with a minimum vertical rise of 2.5 inches for each 12 inches of horizontal run, a non-reflective roof material, an exterior material similar to surrounding residences, roof eaves of at least 12 inches, meter service equipment permanently attached, and wheels, axles, transporting lights, and towing apparatus removed. (MC Section 9-110) Can I add a garage to a manufactured home? Additions and alterations are allowed on manufactured homes as long as they meet the requirements of Municipal Code Section 9-111, including an architect or engineers certification for additions affecting the home’s original roof. (MC Section 9-111)