Any person desiring to commence or proceed to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building or dwelling, or cause the same to be done, shall file with the Building Official an application for a building permit. The application shall be in writing on a form to be furnished by the Building Official for that purpose. Every such application shall set forth the legal description of the land upon which the construction, relocation or demolition is to take place, the nature of the use or occupancy, the principal dimensions of the building or dwelling, the estimated cost, the names of the owner, architect, and contractor, and such other information as may be requested thereon. Applications shall be accompanied by three sets of building plans. The Building Official will be responsible for the issuing of permits, plan review, collecting of permit fees, and ensuring that the repairing, remodeling or new construction is in compliance with zoning district regulations, and all adopted City building and housing codes. Fees payable upon a permit granted for the work listed and above set forth shall be based on the estimated costs as listed in Subsections A through H below:
A. 
Valuation schedule - residential.
(1) 
Residential construction fees shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of this section. The method used for the determination of value or valuation for the purpose of assessing the permit fee shall be made by the Building Inspector calculated from the square-footage costs provided below. The value to be used in computing the building permit and plan review fees shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued. The valuation will be set forth during the plan review, figured at no less than the following:
(a) 
Per square foot of finished new construction: $112.65.
(b) 
Per square foot for finished basement: $56.30.
(c) 
Per square foot for unfinished basement: $15.
(d) 
Per square foot for garage, attached or detached: $44.63.
(e) 
Note: The square footage costs indicated above are from the Building and Standards tabulation charts. These costs are periodically updated, and will be kept current by the Building and Inspection Department for establishing the valuation.
(2) 
Once the valuation of the building has been established, the fee will be calculated from the Fee Schedule provided below in Subsection D.
B. 
Valuation schedule - commercial. The commercial fee for each building permit shall be determined by the valuation provided by the owner and/or contractor on the building permit application. However, during the plan review this valuation will be adjusted to a valuation of no less than the square footage construction costs provided by the Building and Standards tabulation charts. Once the valuation of the building has been established, the fee will be calculated from the Fee Schedule provided below. The determination of value or valuation for the purpose of assessing the permit fee shall be made by the Building Inspector. The value to be used in computing the building permit and plan review fees shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued.
C. 
Valuation schedule method - remodels, additions, and accessory buildings.
(1) 
For all additional types of building permits, such as for remodel/additions and other accessory-type construction, the fees shall be determined by the valuation set forth by the owner and/or contractor on the building permit application. However, during the plan review this valuation will be adjusted to a valuation of no less than the square footage construction costs provided by Building and Standards tabulation charts. Once the valuation of the building has been established, the fee will be calculated from the Fee Schedule provided below.
(2) 
The determination of value or valuation for the purpose of assessing the permit fee shall be made by the Building Inspector. The value to be used in computing the building permit and plan review fees shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued.
D. 
Building permit fee schedule.
(1) 
Once the valuation of the building has been established, the subsequent fee will be calculated according to the fee schedule established from time to time by the City Council.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(2) 
Additional costs associated with the residential permit fee are as follows:
(a) 
The plan review fee is equal to 10% of the building permit.
(b) 
Energy fees are valued at $25 per dwelling.
(3) 
Additional costs associated with the commercial permit fee are as follows:
(a) 
The plan review fee is equal to 25% of the building permit.
(b) 
Energy fees are valued at $0.01 per square foot of building ($25 minimum).
(4) 
The building permit fees provided by the City ordinances shall apply and be controlling throughout the municipality and throughout its zoning jurisdiction.
E. 
Accessory permit fees.
(1) 
Permits are also required on the following accessory items, and the fees for each shall be set from time to time by the City Council:[3]
(a) 
Fences (regardless of valuation).
(b) 
Utility buildings (up to 200 square feet).
(c) 
Sign permits.
(d) 
Moving permits.
(e) 
Demolition permits.
(f) 
Re-roofing permits.
[3]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(2) 
Note: Buildings or structures over 200 square feet shall have the permit fee calculated by valuation of construction of said structure.
F. 
Moving permit requirements. For the purposes of this section and chapter, all houses and/or structures that are to be moved out of this jurisdiction shall be treated as a demolition of a structure, and therefore shall maintain the same fees and deposits as provided in Subsection G of this section for the demolition of structures. All houses and/or structures being moved into this jurisdiction shall be treated as a new construction addition and meet the applicable code guidelines and fees associated with this type of permit. (Refer to Article III for building moving regulations.)
G. 
Demolition permit requirements.[4]
(1) 
For demolition of a structure, in addition to the permit fee authorized in this section, a deposit in an amount set from time to time by the City Council shall be paid by the applicant to defray costs of services associated with the demolition of a structure as listed below:
(a) 
Sewer and water lines must be abandoned at the main and inspected before a demolition permit will be issued. The applicant shall ensure that the water service is disconnected from the water main, and that the sewer line is capped from the main at the property line. The customer shall hire a City-licensed plumber or drainlayer for this purpose.
(b) 
Electric and gas companies must be contacted and services must be disconnected before commencing any demolition work.
(c) 
A qualified inspection agency shall make an inspection of the structure to be razed to ensure that no asbestos or other hazardous materials are present prior to demolition, with the applicable report submitted to the Building and Inspection Department.
(d) 
Barricades must be provided and maintained around the location until the structure is completely demolished. Should the demolition of the structure/s include the removal and filling of a basement, and the job is not completed during daylight hours, barricades shall be maintained until the hole is entirely cleared of debris and completely filled and leveled, with clean fill materials.
(e) 
If during the course of demolition any damage is done to City sidewalks, alleys, streets or utilities, such damage shall be repaired at the contractor's expense.
(f) 
Streets and alleys that might be barricaded during the actual demolition will be cleared of debris and opened to normal traffic when work is completed each workday.
(2) 
Upon verification from all City departments that the project is completed, and has met with the above-listed requirements, and there are no outstanding debts, liens, or judgements against said property, the balance of the deposit, if any, will be refunded to the consumer with an itemized statement of costs.
(Neb. RS 16-222, 16-233, 16-234)
[4]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
H. 
Work exempt from permits. The following repairs and remodeling to structures are exempt from obtaining permits and payment of any fees therefor:
(1) 
The installation or replacement of storm doors and/or storm windows.
(2) 
The installation or replacement of gutters.
(3) 
Painting, papering, floor covering and similar work.
(4) 
Movable cases, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches high.
(5) 
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3, occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade.
(6) 
Residential handicap ramps.
I. 
Other inspections and fees shall be in an amount set from time to time by the City Council for the following:[5]
(1) 
Inspections outside of normal business hours (8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. week days).
(2) 
Re-inspection fees.
(3) 
Additional plan review (required by changes, alterations or revisions).
(4) 
Use of outside consultant costs.
(5) 
Investigation fees; work without a permit: double permit fee.
(a) 
Whenever any work for which a permit is required by the adopted codes of the City has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a investigative fee in addition to the permit fee shall be collected, whether or not the permit is then or subsequently issued. The minimum investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required.
(b) 
Exception: No double-fee penalty set forth in this section shall be imposed if:
[1] 
The work performed is due to an emergency situation where a delay in performing the work may cause a risk to life or health or will significantly increase the risk of property damage, provided a permit is applied for within 48 hours of completion of the work, in which case no penalty shall be imposed; or
[2] 
An applicant applies for a permit after the work has begun, but before the work is observed and recorded by a City inspector, in which case a 1 1/2 fee shall be imposed.
[5]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
J. 
Fee refunds.
(1) 
The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The Building Official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
(2) 
The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80% of the building permit fee when work authorized by said permit has not been commenced. The plan review fee is not refundable. Exception: If no plan review has been performed at the time an application for refund is received, the Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80% of the plan review.
K. 
Property maintenance inspector fees shall be set from time to time by the City Council for the following:[6]
(1) 
Failure to meet first notice compliance deadline.
(2) 
Failure to meet second notice compliance deadline.
(Neb. RS 16-222, 16-233, 16-234)
[6]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
If the work for which a permit has been issued shall not have begun within six months of the date thereof, or if the construction shall be discontinued for a period of six months, the permit shall be considered void. Before any work can be resumed, a new permit shall be obtained in the same manner and form as the original permit.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original 9-203 of Ord. No. 2017-05, Building permit fees; application to zoning jurisdiction, which immediately followed this section, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). See § 225-2.1D(4).
On each building permit application, on the plot plan, sidewalks will be drawn in before a permit is issued. Sidewalks will be required to be constructed in all zoned districts within the City limits. The person signing the building permit application will be the individual responsible for the construction of the sidewalk, whether he be the property owner, contractor or the subdivider. All sidewalks will be constructed as outlined by Chapter 340, Article II, Sidewalks, of the Seward Municipal Code.
Whenever a building permit is issued for the erection, alteration or repair of any building within the municipality's jurisdiction, and the improvement is $2,500 or more, a duplicate of such permit shall be issued to the County Assessor. (Neb. RS 18-1743)
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
A. 
Any person responsible for sediment deposited into or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, public way, storm drainage system, or public ground as a result of tracking, runoff or other erosion and sedimentation from a building or development site shall remove the same within a reasonable period of time as required by the City of Seward, Department of Environmental Quality, or other agency. Whenever the person responsible for sediment deposited into or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, public way, storm drainage system, or public ground refuses or neglects to remove the same, the City may elect to remove the sediment and the expense of such removal shall be recoverable by the City.
B. 
If the City of Seward, Department of Environmental Quality, or other agency determines that the conditions described above constitute an immediate nuisance and hazard to public safety, the City shall issue a written notice to abate and remove such nuisance or hazard within 24 hours. If such person responsible shall have failed or refused to abate and remove such nuisance at the expiration of 24 hours from delivery of notice, the City may remove such nuisance and the expense of such removal shall be recoverable by the City.