Gretna Building Permits / Personal Property Responsibility

[djc311]

I thought this was interesting as I don't agree with the permits / code compliance inspector here.

What is the purpose of filing for a permit for pretty much any type of improvement if the city can literally come back at any given time and tell you it shouldn't have been approved?

If you submit paperwork with your property layout that shows you want to install a fence, ADU, deck, etc I'm sure you're providing them with measurements and location information.

https://www.wowt.com/2026/03/12/gretna- ... -setbacks/

Don't stamp approved if you're simply going to come back later and say it's not in compliance. I get it - if you build outside of the approved plans, then that's a different story. However, if you are stating from the beginning that you want a fence 5' from your property line and the city "OK's" it, then that should be on them.

Reminds me of the recent story of the sewer backup where that older couple had to pay the cleanup bill, even though it probably should be Omaha's responsibility. That one was even more odd because Omaha supposedly paid for the cleanup, but then denied the claim. I've NEVER heard of the city choosing to simply be nice and spend $.01 to help anyone other than themselves.

[Busguy2010]

I saw that, and I too don't agree with the inspector. If it was permitted, then thats on Gretna. Yeah, 5 feet is close to the street, but I'd be upset if I did everything I was supposed to, only to lose 5 feet of my back yard on my dime. God forbid if a fella already put in some permanent landscaping right up against the fence. Sounds like the new guy is a real prick.

[djc311]

I saw that, and I too don't agree with the inspector. If it was permitted, then thats on Gretna. Yeah, 5 feet is close to the street, but I'd be upset if I did everything I was supposed to, only to lose 5 feet of my back yard on my dime. God forbid if a fella already put in some permanent landscaping right up against the fence. Sounds like the new guy is a real prick.

Right - I mean part of the disappointment, of course, would be to have to give up that backyard space you thought you could enjoy. But the other (worse part, IMO) is that the inspector told them to pound sand and fix it yourself.

I don't care if the previous employee that approved it was fired, quit, etc... someone rubber stamped it and marked it "APPROVED". What if it was a foundation, a garage, a pool, etc and it was in place for say 2 years? Do you think the home owner is going to say "OK, I'll pay to move it"? If I had any attorney friends and had to deal with it, they'd be getting a call for sure.

Sure, Gretna doesn't want the bill - at the same time, hire competent people and double/triple check these things if you're going to try and get out of being responsible for the mistakes.

I live under Gretna's jurisdiction and if it were me, I'd be fighting them for sure.

[Linkin5]

The part that is blowing my mind is the Gretna code compliance enforcer Josh Lubrano stating that it is on the homeowner to know every single local code enforcement, but somehow not on the city officials to know their own codes. I could not think of a better example for why there is distrust/contempt for local government.

[djc311]

The part that is blowing my mind is the Gretna code compliance enforcer Josh Lubrano stating that it is on the homeowner to know every single local code enforcement, but somehow not on the city officials to know their own codes. I could not think of a better example for why there is distrust/contempt for local government.

I agree - it's their job (they are actually hired specifically to enforce and know the codes, "OK" permits, etc)... why even bother filing one if they can simply revoke it at a later time because they claim it was a mistake? I'd hate to see someone start framing a home and have the same kind of |expletive| happen.

I'd even say it's understandable if you hired a contractor that didn't know the codes specific to locating certain things (again, they should probably know this, but if they're pulling the permits, it's up to the city, county, etc to deny it if it's not allowed).

[nebugeater]

One of the homeowners in Gretna won the appeal to leave their fence as is after the inspector's error.
He had pulled a permit

Two others that appealed were denied, but they had not pulled a permit for the fence.

Seems fair to me.



https://www.wowt.com/2026/05/21/gretna- ... GU7veUYZKw