ADU rules in Lincoln, NE — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Lincoln permits one ADU by right in all single-family zones under LMC 27.62.040. Internal, attached, or detached allowed. Owner-occupancy required and deed-restricted.
Lincoln Municipal Code Section 27.62.040(c) permits one internal, attached, or detached ADU by right in all single-family zoning districts. No public hearing or special permit is required. Nebraska LB1166 also requires cities to allow at least one ADU per single-family lot. Current Lincoln standards address lot area (currently only about 24% of parcels qualify, though proposed 2026 amendments would expand eligibility to 80%), maximum unit size (detached ADUs generally capped around 1,000 square feet), height (typically 20-25 feet or one to one-and-a-half stories, and currently cannot exceed the primary building height), setbacks (detached units must maintain rear and side yard setbacks of 5-10 feet depending on zone), and parking (one off-street space required beyond the primary dwelling, with potential waivers near transit stops or for interior conversions). The property owner must reside in either the primary dwelling or the ADU as their principal residence, recorded as a deed restriction at permit time. ADUs may not be used simultaneously with a separate short-term rental on the same lot. Contact Lincoln Planning at (402) 441-7491.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Lincoln's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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