Tiny home rules in Lincoln, NE — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Lincoln allows tiny homes on foundations meeting building code. Lancaster County requires 320 sq ft minimum. Tiny homes on wheels are RVs and not allowed as permanent residences.
Tiny homes in Lincoln are regulated based on their construction type. Foundation-based tiny homes must meet all requirements of the adopted Nebraska Residential Code including minimum room sizes, ceiling heights, egress windows, plumbing, and electrical standards. Lancaster County sets a minimum size of 320 square feet for permanent tiny homes on foundations. A tiny home may qualify as an accessory dwelling unit under LMC 27.62.040 if it meets ADU standards including owner occupancy, lot area requirements, and deed restrictions. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are classified as recreational vehicles under Nebraska law and must meet RV Industry Association (RVIA) or ANSI A119.5 standards. THOWs may not be used as permanent residences on standard residential lots in Lincoln but may be placed on approved campsites or RV parks. The Nebraska Public Service Commission regulates manufactured and modular housing, and tiny homes built off-site may need to comply with those standards. Building permits are required for all permanent tiny home construction. Contact Lincoln Building and Safety at (402) 441-8384 and Planning at (402) 441-7491.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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