Omaha, NE Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Omaha Muni. Code § 18-3(r)
- Trigger
- Flaking, chipped, or peeling lead paint
- Enforcement
- Notice to abate, then city abatement
- Cost recovery
- Lien on property (§ 18-12)
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 6 months jail
Summary
Flaking or chipped lead-based paint in an Omaha dwelling is a declared nuisance the city can order abated, with liens and fines for noncompliance.
Any open or exposed surface or substrata in any dwelling which is coated with, consists of or contains any lead-based paint or other lead-based coating material is declared to be a hazard and a nuisance if such surface, substrata, or generated debris is accessible or may become accessible to ingestion or inhalation by any person, but particularly children under the age of six... and is flaking, cracking, peeling, scaling, blistered, chipped or loose.
Full Breakdown
Omaha Municipal Code § 18-3(r) declares any exposed dwelling surface coated with lead-based paint a "hazard and a nuisance" once it is flaking, cracking, peeling, scaling, blistered, chipped or loose and accessible to occupants: especially children under six. The planning director, chief of police, parks/recreation/public property director, or the county health director can enter the property (with consent, warrant, or emergency) under § 18-7, issue a written notice to abate under §§ 18-8–18-9, and if the landlord doesn't fix it, the city abates it itself and bills the owner, with the cost becoming a lien on the property under § 18-12.
Violations & Fines
Fine up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in jail per § 1-10; each day the hazard continues is a separate offense, plus the city can abate it directly and place a lien for its costs under § 18-12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is deteriorated lead paint illegal in Omaha rentals?
What happens if a landlord ignores an abatement notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Omaha
Compare Omaha to another location·View the Nebraska building safety overview
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