Omaha Zoning & Land Use Guide

Sources checked· 2026-10-04
Last updated: Verified:

Key Zoning Facts

Local Zoning / Building Office
City of Omaha Planning Department(402) 444-5150
Building Code Edition
2018 IBC/IRC and related locally adopted Omaha codes
ADU / Accessory Apartment
Yes
Example District
R1 — Single-Family Residential 1
Max Height
35 ft

Regulatory Layers That Apply in Omaha

Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.

Federal

State — Nebraska

  • Building Code: No mandatory statewide residential code; local adoption
View Nebraska zoning overview

County — Douglas County

  • Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning

City / Municipal

The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.

Overlay Districts

No overlay districts identified.

Private Restrictions

  • Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
  • Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.

Primary Zoning Districts

R1Single-Family Residential 1
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
50 ft
Side Setback
25–50 ft interior / 25 ft street side
Rear Setback
35 ft
R2Single-Family Residential 2
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
40 ft
Side Setback
10–20 ft interior / 20 ft street side
Rear Setback
25 ft
R3Single-Family Residential 3
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
35 ft
Side Setback
7–15 ft interior / 17.6 ft street side
Rear Setback
25 ft
R4High-Density Single-Family Residential
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
25–35 ft
Side Setback
5–10 ft interior / 15 ft street side
Rear Setback
25 ft
R5Urban Family Residential
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
25–35 ft
Side Setback
5–10 ft interior / 15 ft street side
Rear Setback
25 ft
R6Low-Density Multiple-Family Residential
Max Height
45 ft
Front Setback
25–35 ft
Side Setback
5–10 ft interior / 15 ft street side
Rear Setback
25 ft

ADU Rules in Omaha

ADUs:Allowed
Parking
No additional parking required for an ADU under Omaha's current ADU reform summary
Full ADU rules for Omaha →

Permit Costs & Timelines

Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines

Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.

Check current Omaha permit information →

Official Sources

City-specific

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an ADU in Omaha?
Omaha's March 2024 zoning reform allows ADUs by right in several districts and by conditional use in others. Check the parcel's zoning and current §55-763 before applying.
What building codes does Omaha use?
Omaha Municipal Code §43-121 currently adopts the 2018 IBC, 2018 IRC, 2018 commercial IECC provisions, and 2018 IEBC with local amendments and stated exclusions.