The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Lincoln - Building & Safety Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Lincoln, NE?

Adopted code

City of Lincoln - Building & Safety Department

No — Lincoln, NE does not require a permit for like-for-like roof replacement (City of Lincoln - Building & Safety Department). The department's Re-Roof Policy states: "Shingling a roof that has solid sheathing does not require a Building Permit, but all code requirements and the manufacturer recommendations and installation instructions apply." A Building Permit IS required if "there is rot damage to the roof sheathing and/or rafters" or if new plywood/OSB sheathing is used to cover the existing roof sheathing (not required where gaps between existing boards do not exceed 1/4 inch). "If the existing roof has two (2) or more layers of any type of roof covering, all of the layers must be removed.".

Jurisdiction
City of Lincoln, Nebraska
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
555 South 10th St, Suite 203, Lincoln, NE 68508
Contact
  • url: https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/PDS/Building-Safety
  • phone: 402-441-7521
  • email: [email protected]
Roofing permit required
Not required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
  • state_level: STATEWIDE, AND INDEPENDENT OF WHATEVER THIS JURISDICTION REQUIRES. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2104(1), in the Contractor Registration Act (48-2101 to 48-2117): "Before performing any construction work in Nebraska, a contractor shall be registered with the department." "Department" means the Department of Labor (48-2103(4)), and 48-2102 states the intent "that all contractors doing business in Nebraska be registered with the department." A roofer is inside the definitions rather than at their edge: "Construction" means "work on real property and annexations, including new work, additions, alterations, reconstruction, installations, and repairs" (48-2103(2)), and "Contractor" means a person or firm "engaged in the business of the construction, alteration, repairing, dismantling, or demolition of buildings ... and every other type of structure" (48-2103(3)). TWO EXEMPTIONS, BOTH IN 48-2104(1): a person who performs work, or has work performed, on his or her own property; and "any person who earns less than five thousand dollars annually for construction services." Read that threshold carefully - it is annual earnings for construction services, not the value of one job, so it will rarely reach a working roofer. An exemption from registration does not exempt anyone from Nebraska income tax withholding (48-2104(2)). WHAT REGISTRATION IS NOT: 48-2102 says in terms that it is "not the intent of the Legislature to endorse the quality or performance of services provided by any individual contractor," so this is not a competency credential and must not be described to a homeowner as one. WHAT IT IS TIED TO: workers' compensation. Under 48-2110 the Commissioner of Labor must revoke a registration when an investigation shows the contractor has failed to maintain workers' compensation coverage, and must revoke as of the time of cancellation if a cancellation notice arrives. HOW TO CHECK A CONTRACTOR: 48-2117 requires the Department of Labor, with the Department of Revenue, to maintain a database of registered contractors accessible on the Department of Labor's website, showing for each whether the contractor carries workers' compensation insurance, is self-insured, or is a sole proprietor.
  • city_level: PARTLY ESTABLISHED, AND STATED AS SUCH. Lancaster County's Forms & Permits page routes its contractor account and tradesperson registration forms to this department, which serves both the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County - so this department does administer contractor accounts and tradesperson registration for the shared jurisdiction. What was NOT established in this pass is the City's own ordinance basis, which classes of work require which registration, and whether a roofing contractor needs one to pull a re-roof permit. Confirm with Building & Safety before bidding. The state requirement above applies either way.
Permit process note
The department's Re-Roof Policy states: "Shingling a roof that has solid sheathing does not require a Building Permit, but all code requirements and the manufacturer recommendations and installation instructions apply." A Building Permit IS required if "there is rot damage to the roof sheathing and/or rafters" or if new plywood/OSB sheathing is used to cover the existing roof sheathing (not required where gaps between existing boards do not exceed 1/4 inch). "If the existing roof has two (2) or more layers of any type of roof covering, all of the layers must be removed."
Inspection requirements
The Re-Roof Policy's standing requirements (enforced regardless of the permit exemption) include: "Ice Barrier is required for all spaces (R905.1.2)," with the self-adhering sheet extending from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line; valley flashing at least 24 inches wide (4-inch minimum end lap); 4x4-inch step flashing where shingle rows abut a wall; drip edge on all eaves and gables; chimney crickets on chimneys 30 inches or wider; and replacement of damaged, rusted, or incorrectly installed flashing.
Adopted code
Lincoln Municipal Code 20.12.010 ("Adoption of International Residential Code") currently adopts "The International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings, 2021 Edition, second printing," together with Elevated Residential Structures F.E.M.A. Publication No. 54. The 2021 edition was adopted by Ord. 21820, § 1 (December 15, 2025), superseding the 2018 edition adopted by Ord. 20937, § 1 (June 29, 2020). Note that the Building & Safety department's Re-Roof Policy page has not been updated to match and still states the 2018 IRC and 2018 IBC; the codified Municipal Code is the controlling instrument. Re-roofing work is directed by that policy to Chapter 9 of the IRC, Chapter 15 of the IBC, the respective adopted amendments and the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Drip edge
Required — "Drip edge flashing is required on all eaves and gables." (City of Lincoln Building & Safety, Re-Roof Policy, rev. 12/10/2021). About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Required — "Ice Barrier is required for all spaces. (R905.1.2) The self-adhering sheet shall extend from lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point not less than 24” inside the exterior wall line of the building." (City of Lincoln Building & Safety, Re-Roof Policy, rev. 12/10/2021). Corroborated by the city's own amended climate-criteria table, which lists "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: Yes" (Lincoln Municipal Code 20.12.140, Table R301.2 Amended; Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria, Ord. 21820 §5, Dec. 15, 2025). About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 71-6403(1)(b) adopts the 2018 IRC statewide by reference "except section R313 and chapters 25 through 33," leaving Chapter 9 (Roof Assemblies) unmodified at the state level. Locally, the City of Lincoln's own instrument is Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 20.12, "Lincoln Residential Building Code" (Title 20, Building Code), read in full: its adopting section, 20.12.010 "Adoption of International Residential Code" (currently reading, per Ord. 21820 Section 1, December 15, 2025, "International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings, 2021 Edition, second printing," which superseded the edition adopted by the prior Ord. 20937 Section 1, June 29, 2020), and its complete amendment package of roughly 140 numbered sections running 20.12.010 through 20.12.820 plus Chapter 20.12 Figures. Of that full amendment list, only one section touches IRC Chapter 9, Roof Assemblies: 20.12.650, "Section R908.3.1.1 Amended; Roof Recover Not Allowed" (Ord. 20937 Section 129, June 29, 2020), which bars a roof recover where the existing roof covering is water-soaked or deteriorated, is wood shake, slate, clay, cement, or asbestos-cement tile, or already carries two or more roof-covering layers. No other Chapter 9 section, R901 through R910, is added, amended, or deleted anywhere in the chapter's amendment list. No UL 2218, Class 4, or impact-resistance provision appears. Corroborated by the department's Re-Roof Policy (City of Lincoln Building & Safety, rev. 12/10/2021), read in full, which likewise contains no such provision.
Wind design criteria
"TABLE R301.2 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA ... GROUND SNOW LOAD 25 psf, WIND SPEED 115 mph, SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY B" (Lincoln Municipal Code 20.12.140, Table No. R301.2 Amended; Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria; Ord. 21820 Section 5, December 15, 2025; Ord. 20937 Section 27, June 29, 2020). "All footnotes to Table R301.2 of this code shall apply," which under the base 2018 IRC identifies the wind speed as the ultimate design wind speed. Lincoln's amended table does not carry separate Topographic effects, Special wind region, or Windborne debris zone columns -- only Wind Speed and Seismic Design Category are stated for wind-related design.
Roof layer limit / recover
"Section R908.3.1.1 Roof recover not allowed. A roof recover shall not be permitted where any of the following conditions occur: Where the existing roof or roof covering is water-soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing. Where the existing roof covering is wood shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." (Lincoln Municipal Code 20.12.650, Section R908.3.1.1 Amended; Roof Recover Not Allowed; Ord. 20937 Section 129, June 29, 2020). Corroborated by the department's Re-Roof Policy: "If the existing roof has two (2) or more layers of any type of roof covering, all of the layers must be removed."
Deck & sheathing requirements
The department's Re-Roof Policy states: "A Building Permit is required if: There is rot damage to the roof sheathing and/or rafters. 7/16" plywood or OSB sheathing is used to cover the existing roof sheathing. IF the space between the existing boards does not exceed 1/4", new roof sheathing is not required." "Shingling a roof that has solid sheathing does not require a Building Permit, but all code requirements and the manufacturer recommendations and installation instructions apply." Rot damage to sheathing or rafters, or an existing-board gap exceeding 1/4", triggers new sheathing/deck work and a permit. R905.2.1 (the base solid-deck requirement for asphalt shingles) does not appear among Lincoln's amended IRC sections (LMC Chapter 20.12), so the unamended 2018 IRC solid-sheathing requirement applies alongside this local guidance.
Sales & use tax
7.25% combined (.0725) = Nebraska state rate 5.5% + City of Lincoln local-option rate 1.75%, effective July 1, 2026, per the Nebraska Department of Revenue's Local Sales and Use Tax Rates schedule (Form 6-545-2024 Rev. 3-2026). Lincoln is one of only a handful of Nebraska cities at the 1.75% local-option tier (most cities sit at 1.5% or 2.0%). Nebraska's local sales tax is state-administered, not self-collected by home-rule cities as in Colorado; no separate construction/use tax deposit at building-permit issuance was found for Lincoln. Roofing contractors are taxed on materials, not labor, under one of three DOR 'contractor options' elected in the Nebraska Dept. of Labor's Contractor Registration Database (per the DOR's Nebraska Taxation of Contractors information guide, 6-346, rev. 10/2007 with 6/22/2011 updates): 'Option 1 contractors must continue to collect sales tax on the amounts billed to other contractors and project owners for building materials they annex during the project' (separately-stated labor is untaxed); 'Option 2 contractor labor charges are not taxable... Option 2 contractors will continue to pay sales tax on their purchases of building materials and fixtures' (contractor pays tax on cost, does not charge the customer); 'Option 3 contractors will continue to remit use tax on building materials and fixtures withdrawn from inventory' at 'the rate in effect at the time and place of withdrawal.' A contractor who does not register and elect an option 'will be treated as a retailer under Option 1.'

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The permitting authority for the City of Lincoln, part of Lincoln's Planning & Development Services. Building & Safety issues building and trade permits and performs inspections for both the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County, which operates no separate county building department (see the paired Lancaster County, Nebraska record). Ordinary re-roofing over solid sheathing is permit-exempt; a permit is required only for rot damage or sheathing-overlay work.

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Roofing questions — Lincoln, NE

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Lincoln, NE?

Not required.

Is ice & water shield required in Lincoln, NE?

Required — "Ice Barrier is required for all spaces. (R905.1.2) The self-adhering sheet shall extend from lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point not less than 24” inside the exterior wall line of the building." (City of Lincoln Building & Safety, Re-Roof Policy, rev. 12/10/2021). Corroborated by the city's own amended climate-criteria table, which lists "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: Yes" (Lincoln Municipal Code 20.12.140, Table R301.2 Amended; Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria, Ord. 21820 §5, Dec. 15, 2025)..

Is drip edge required?

Required — "Drip edge flashing is required on all eaves and gables." (City of Lincoln Building & Safety, Re-Roof Policy, rev. 12/10/2021)..

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Lincoln, NE?

Required.

What building code does Lincoln, NE use?

Lincoln Municipal Code 20.12.010 ("Adoption of International Residential Code") currently adopts "The International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings, 2021 Edition, second printing," together with Elevated Residential Structures F.E.M.A. Publication No. 54. The 2021 edition was adopted by Ord. 21820, § 1 (December 15, 2025), superseding the 2018 edition adopted by Ord. 20937, § 1 (June 29, 2020). Note that the Building & Safety department's Re-Roof Policy page has not been updated to match and still states the 2018 IRC and 2018 IBC; the codified Municipal Code is the controlling instrument. Re-roofing work is directed by that policy to Chapter 9 of the IRC, Chapter 15 of the IBC, the respective adopted amendments and the manufacturer's installation instructions.