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Page 22 2016 Fall Home Improvement LINCOLN DAILY NEWS SEPT. 27, 2016
Lebegue would tell you what codes have been adopted
and what permits are required.
The Building and Zoning Officer “issues permits and
conducts field inspections for all construction projects
ranging from utility sheds to large-scale commercial
projects.” The department website says, “The review
of building plans, issuance of permits and conduction
of inspections are all done in an effort to protect
health, safety and general welfare of city residents as
well as to provide for the orderly development of the
city.”
When international codes appeared in 2000, many
states adopted them. Consistent and standardized code
helps people understand what is required. Lebegue
says many cities used to have their own codes, but
now across the country many are adopting a unified
code system.
Lebegue says new versions of codes come out about
every four years and that the city of Lincoln codes
were recently updated.
Lincoln has adopted several codes including the
international building codes, international fire codes,
plumbing codes, and electrical codes. If you are
remodeling, your plans may need to be reviewed to be
sure they comply. These codes are listed on the city of
Lincoln website.
He says whether or not a permit will be needed
depends on scope of what people are doing. For
instance, structural changes such as tearing down
walls require a permit.
The Lincoln Building and Zoning Department page
on the city’s website says a permit would also be
needed for building additions, utility structures such as
garages, storage, sheds, pools, fences; and electrical or
plumbing alterations or additions.
Unincorporated areas
of Logan County
New structures and additions
Logan County Zoning Officer Will D’Andrea says,
“Setbacks are the biggest consideration when doing
additions.” The setback refers to the distance a
building or part of a building is set back from the
property line. If you are adding on the house, you will
need to make sure you still follow the setbacks.
The setbacks are different based on the zoning district.
The Agricultural District just has a front setback, while
the residential district has minimum setbacks for both
front and back.
According to the Ordinance’s Section 3 of the
Residential District, the minimum distance in the front
needs to be 25 feet, and 30 feet in the back. The side
of the yard should only be ten percent of the lot width.
By example, D’Andrea says a 50-foot lot, the side
would need to have a five-foot setback.
For building, the maximum ground coverage is 30
percent of the lot area
Agricultural districts have their own ordinances.
Section 3.41-6a of the zoning ordinances says,
“Farmsteads not adjacent to or abutting a public road
right-of-way may have a private road right-of-way of
no less than 30 feet extending from the public road to
the existing farmstead.”
Section 8.2 of the zoning ordinances has additional
standards that may need to be considered when
renovating or adding on.
For instance:
• Uncovered stairs, landing, and fire escapes may
project into any yard, but not to exceed six (6) feet,
and not closer than three (3) feet to any lot line.
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