All items will require a completed application. Commercial projects generally need 3 sets of plans. The city will need to know the names of your mechanical, electrical, and plumbing sub-contractors. New residential projects, and remodels, will need 2 sets of plans and will require the names of your mechanical, electrical, and plumbing sub-contractors. Smaller projects such as decks, sheds, fences, pools, etc. will require two sets of plans which include at least a hand-drawn site plan showing your property lines and the distances any such project is from the property line and/or any other structure on the property.

Yes, the City of La Vista requires that in any residential zoning district, a home occupation may be permitted with compliance of the provisions described within the City's Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.10. Primarily, before a home occupation permit will be issued, a minimum of 75% of the residents living within 200 feet of the proposed home occupation, shall sign a list prepared by the City, canvassed by the home owner, and indicate “no objections” in writing to the operation of a home occupation. Residents renting an apartment or home would follow a slightly different process. In some instances, a conditional use permit process would be necessary prior to initiating licensing for a home occupation. A proposed in-home day care must submit a form signed by the State of Nebraska Fire Marshall, in addition to the process described above. Call City Hall at 402-331-4343 for guidance prior to setting up any home base business within the La Vista City limits.

The City of La Vista uses the Nebraska Humane Society for animal issues. Please contact them at 402-444-7800 or visit their website.

The tax rate is 1% of the total gross receipts of restaurants and drinking places for food and/or beverages.

Please contact Deputy City Clerk Patti Anderson at (402) 331-4343.

Requests for repairs can be made through our website, www.cityoflavista.org, and clicking on the purple “Report a Concern” button at the bottom of this page. Repairs will be made as crews enter the district where the request was made, with a goal of completing the requested repair within 10 working days. (More time might be needed depending on the number of active requests.)

The tax would be calculated as a percentage of gross retail and/or entertainment receipts of a business as defined in Ordinance No. 1387.

Yes. However, the GBOT does not apply to foods and beverages that are included in the Restaurants and Drinking Places Occupation Tax. The GBOT does apply to the gross receipts of retail items such as t-shirts, coffee mugs, or drinking glasses.

There are two tax rates in the Enhanced Employment Area. For retail sales, the tax rate is 1.5% of the total gross receipts.  For entertainment sales, the tax rate is 3.5% of the total gross receipts.

Returns must be submitted to the City each month.  The tax is due on or before the last day of each month, calculated based on gross receipts of the immediately preceding month.  For example, tax due on the gross receipts for November would be due by December 31st. Mailed returns postmarked by the last day of the month will be considered timely filed.

As reimbursement for any additional administrative costs and expenses connected with the tax, at the time of monthly payment, a business may elect to withhold 2% of the amount that is otherwise due and payable to the City.

Returns and tax payments shall be filed and paid by (i) hand delivery or by United States mail, properly addressed, postage prepaid and postmarked no later than the last day of the appropriate month, or (ii) by electronic filing and payment by Automated Clearing Housing or Credit Card no later than the last day of the appropriate month.

Yes, if your business has been remitting GBOT and has a month without sales, complete the remittance form showing $0 sales and return to the City Clerk’s Department or email to cityclerk@cityoflavista.org.

Yes, you can complete the GBOT form and pay the remittance online.

The remittance forms are available on our GBOT webpage. Paper copies are also available at City Hall.

Please contact Deputy City Clerk Patti Anderson at (402) 331-4343.

Yes. In August 2020, the City Council passed Ordinance No.1396 establishing La Vista Municipal Code Section 113.11 which contains the rules, regulations, and licensing process for mobile food vendors.

Licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31, and they must be renewed annually.

The fee is $100.

Applications are available on the City’s website: www.cityoflavista.org/mobilefoodvendors. Applications are also available at City Hall.

Completed applications and fee are to be submitted to the City Clerk, 8116 Park View Blvd., La Vista, NE 68128.

Licensed mobile food vendors may operate seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.

With the written consent of the owner of the property and a temporary use permit issued by the Community Development Director, if applicable, you can operate on private property as long as you are following all provisions of Section 113.11 of the La Vista Municipal Code.

No. During non-hours of operation, a mobile food vendor motor vehicle or trailer shall not remain on any city property or city right-of-way, or on any private property on which any sales have taken place.

If a mobile food vendor is selling food and beverages that are subject to the Restaurant Tax, then, yes, they must remit Restaurant Tax to the City.  For more information on the Restaurant Tax, visit www.cityoflavista.org/restaurants.

Please email your questions to cityclerk@cityoflavista.org.

Qualified applicants will have a high school diploma or GED; some college preferred. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by graduation from the Police Academy, possess a valid driver’s license by hire date, a U.S citizen, no felony convictions, or a dishonorable discharge from military service.

Applications can be obtained online at cityoflavista.org, click on jobs.

The hiring process time frame varies but could take up to six months. The hiring process is as follows:

Step 1: Online Application

Step 2: Personal History Statement

Step 3: Physical Fitness and Written Test

Step 4: Background Investigation

Step 5: Police Panel Interview

Step 6: Civil Service Interview

Step 7: Conditional Offer which includes Polygraph, Psychological, and Medical Evaluation

The LVPD utilizes the Cooper Institute Fitness Test for law enforcement. The assessment measures health related components to fitness. The testing standards are age and gender specific. The LVPD minimum standard for successful completion of the Physical Agility Test is a 40% level, with a required finish in all events. The Five Foot Agility Wall Climb and Dummy Drag are pass/fail and not included in the Cooper Test scoring. Cooper Standards Course: To pass, you must successfully get over the Five Foot Wall, complete the Dummy Drag in the allotted time, and score at least 40% in the Cooper activities, with at least one point in each. Go to the “Selection Process” tab for more information.

Five Foot Agility Wall Climb

Dummy Drag

Vertical Jump

1 Minute Sit-Up

1 Minute Push-Up

300 Meter Run

1.5 Mile Run

You do not need to live in the City of La Vista to be an officer at LVPD. You can live anywhere in the surrounding area.

Officers work 12-hour, day or nighttime shifts with a three-day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) weekend every other weekend. Officers bid a year in advance for their shifts.

Applicants will be offered the minimum base salary of $64,137 and with experience will earn increases to a maximum base salary as follows:

• Health, Dental, and Life Insurance
• Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
• Paid Vacation, 11 Holidays, Personal, and Sick Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement / Education Incentive Pay
• Longevity Pay
• Bilingual Pay
• Military Leave with Pay
• Paid Uniforms and Equipment

The Sarpy Douglas Law Enforcement Academy is a 20-week program held in the Sarpy County area. The SDLEA runs Monday through Friday. It consists of classroom work, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operation, and physical fitness training.

Recruit and lateral officers are required to successfully complete the Field Training Program. The training period for lateral officers may be modified depending on their demonstrated performance and level of experience. Upon successful graduation of the Police Academy, recruits will complete the entire Field Training and Evaluation Program. The FTO Program is divided into four phases covering a period of 16-weeks.

No. La Vista voters approved the half-cent sales tax for street improvements in 1990 with an initial expiration of 10 years. It was renewed in 2000 and 2010, the last time with a 15-year sunset. Approval for continuation of the City’s half-cent sales tax would not be an increase from the current level collected in the City — it would be maintaining what exists.

Since its inception, the half-cent sales tax has generated over $35 million and funded most of the City’s major street improvements and other capital projects. Currently, the sales tax generates about $2.5 million annually, which helps pay for the annual debt payments for the City. Without the half-cent sales tax, other revenue sources would be needed to make debt payments.

The half-cent sales tax has paid for all or a portion of most major street improvement projects and other capital expenditures, including:

• Harrison Street widening (4 lanes/divided) – 72nd to 90th (Pine Drive)
• Giles Road widening (4 lanes/divided) – 72nd to 107th
• Cornhusker Road (Portal) 96th to 100th  
• 66th Street (Giles to Harrison)
• 84th & Park View Blvd. improvements
• 96th Street (Giles to Cornhusker) (Portal)
• 78th & Harrison signalization
• 72nd Street pedestrian crossing signalization & improvements (various crossings)
• Sports Complex parking improvements
• 114th Street improvements north of Giles
• 84th Street improvements (Giles to Harrison)
• Cornhusker/Portal/107th Street realignment
• West Papio Trail
• Keystone Trail
• 96th & Brentwood signalization
• 132nd & West Giles improvements
• 120th & Giles signalization
• Harrison Street Bridge improvements
• Annual street resurfacing projects
• Annual sidewalk district improvements

If voters do not approve the continuation of the City’s half-cent sales tax, alternative solutions such as service reductions or tax increases would need to be considered in order to pay for existing debt. The City Council would also have to determine which current and future projects to delay or cancel.

Some of the projects included in the City’s multi-year Capital Improvement Program that could potentially lose funding if the half-cent sales tax is not renewed include:

• East La Vista Sewer Project — pavement portion (FY23)
• 120th & Giles drainage improvements (FY23)
• Storm sewer inlet top repair (FY23)
• 73rd Ave. culvert rehabilitation (FY23)
• Giles Road rehabilitation (FY23)
• Ultra-thin bonded asphalt (UBAS) Harrison to Josephine (FY23)
• Asphalt mill and overlay Terry Dr. and 78th St. (FY23)
• Corridor 84 Streetscape phases (FY23-FY26)
• Central Park East access road (FY24)
• Harrison Street Bridge (FY25)
• Various concrete and asphalt street rehabilitation projects (FY25-FY27)

The revenue generated by the restaurant tax helps fund the City's basic operations and maintenance associated with police, fire, community development, parks, recreation, library, streets, swimming pool, public transportation and general government. 

An increase in this revenue will be used to ensure that quality services are maintained as the City continues to grow and expand services to ensure that new and existing areas are safe and well-maintained. 

Developments such as La Vista City Centre, Central Park, Nebraska MultiSport Complex and Southport are expected to generate hundreds of activities and events, bringing in more than 500,000 visitors to La Vista each year. This will increase the demand for public services for everything from traffic control and snow removal to calls for service and other public safety needs. Because of the types of development underway and anticipated, the number of visitors will also increase and grow food and beverage sales.

The City’s goal has always been to add top-notch amenities to the community without increasing the property tax burden. In addition to growth, the City must also keep pace with the rising prices for fuel, vehicles, equipment, construction materials, electronics, and more impacting operational and maintenance costs. The restaurant tax is a way to share these financial challenges equally with non-residents and residents alike.

Additional restaurant tax revenue will ultimately make the City less reliant on property taxes to provide services and amenities for its residents.

If voters do not approve the 2.5% restaurant tax, the 1.5% tax would remain intact. However, the City would be forgoing approximately $1.5 million per year in additional revenue.

No. While residents certainly shop and eat in La Vista, according to market studies, on average, 90% of the business transactions in La Vista involved visitors from outside the City’s limits.

All fines related to the code enforcement process must be paid at City Hall during normal business hours. 

I received a citation in the mail from Code Compliance, what should I do?

The letter included with the citation will explain why the citation was sent out. Normally it means that a violation was not corrected within the allotted time given. If you receive a citation, you should correct the violation as soon as possible. If you have any questions, you can contact Code Enforcement at 402-331-1582.

If you have received a violation tag, please see the “Violator” section. 

If a violator refuses to address their violations, the Code Enforcement Officer will take steps to ensure compliance. The homeowner(s) will receive a certified letter or first-class mail that shall be conspicuous to its importance requesting compliance, identifying a final date, and providing a notice of a City of La Vista clean up. This clean up, conducted by the City of La Vista Public Works is not free, and incurs heavy fees and penalties.  During the abatement process, the City of La Vista may elect to place a lien on your property to ensure payment for the City clean up.

Liens are a last resort during the abatement process. The goal of any code enforcement interaction is to gain voluntary compliance and return your property into good standing. If the homeowner addresses their violation during the initial phase of the investigation, no fees will be assessed. 

Traditionally, vehicles are towed:

Sarpy County Impound Lot

14242 S 156th St, Springfield, NE 68059

402-253-2590

Before removing your vehicle from impound, you must have proof of ownership (vehicle registration), proof of vehicle insurance, and a valid driver’s license. Any fees associated with your vehicle’s tow including any City of La Vista Tickets, must be paid prior to removing your vehicle. You may contact the Tow Lot or La Vista City Hall via phone during normal business hours for any additional questions. 

The goal of Code Enforcement is voluntary compliance. We ask each of our valued community members to do their part in keep our city and community an attractive place to live. The code enforcement process is a necessary part of that goal. 

After receiving a tag, you will be given a number of days to move back into compliance. Please utilize this time to make plans and execute on the necessary code enforcement changes required. 

If you fail to comply within the listed timeframe, additional, punitive measures may be taken. These measures are all documented in the Code Enforcement Manual. These measures are paid for by the homeowner to tenant and can be very costly. 

If you have questions about your code enforcement violations, or the steps necessary to return to compliance, please contact the Code Enforcement Officer at your convenience. 

During the abatement process, the City of La Vista may elect to conduct a cleaning of your property. Some of this property may be retained by City of La Vista Public Works. Other items identified as trash will be immediately thrown away. There may be an additional cost associated with storage and return of your property.