Accessory Structures in Lincoln, NE (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Lincoln, Nebraska, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Lincoln allows an accessory dwelling unit alongside a single-family home in the R-1 through R-4 districts, but caps its size, requires owner-occupancy, and limits it to one bedroom.
Lincoln ADU Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 27.62.040(b) (Household Living Use Group)
b. The main use of a lot for a single-family dwelling and an accessory dwelling is allowed in the R-1 through R-4 zoning districts under the following conditions: ... 2. The accessory dwelling shall comply with the following requirements: i. The total square footage of the accessory dwelling shall not exceed the lesser of 40% of the total square footage of the main building or 800 square feet. ...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Lincoln requires the property owner to live in either the main house or the accessory dwelling before an ADU can be added in R-1 through R-4 zoning districts.
Lincoln Accessory Dwelling Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 27.62.040(b)(3) (Household Living Use Group, R-1 through R-4 Residential Districts)
b. The main use of a lot for a single-family dwelling and an accessory dwelling is allowed in the R-1 through R-4 zoning districts under the following conditions: 1. The area of the lot must meet the required minimum lot area per family for single-family dwellings as set forth in Table 27.72.020(a) for the zoning district the lot is located in. 2. The accessory dwelling shall comply with the ...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Lincoln requires accessory dwelling unit owners to live on-site, bars selling the ADU apart from the main house via deed restriction, and caps short-term rental use to one unit per lot.
Lincoln ADU Deed Restriction and Rental Rules
Significant RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 27.62.040(b)(3), (b)(8), (c)(5) (Household Living Use Group — accessory dwellings, R-1 through R-4 districts)
The owner of the lot ... is required to reside on the property in either the main building or the accessory dwelling ... The property shall be subject to a deed restriction stating that the accessory dwelling shall not be sold separate from the main building ... An accessory dwelling may be used as a short-term rental if conditions (1) through (4) are met, provided it is the only short-term ren...
Shed & Carport Rules
In Lincoln's R-1 through R-8 residential districts, a detached carport must sit at least 60 feet back from the front lot line, stay at least 2 feet off the side lot line, and top out at 15 feet tall.
Lincoln Carport Placement and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsLincoln Municipal Code § 27.72.120 (Accessory Buildings, Ch. 27.72 Height and Lot Regulations)
Accessory buildings which are not a part of the main building: 1. May, if located not less than sixty feet from the front lot line, extend into the required side yard though not closer than two feet to the side lot line in the R-1 through R-8, O-1*, O-2, O-3, B-1*, B-3*, B-4, all H, and the I-2 zoning districts, provided that such accessory buildings shall not be more than fifteen feet in heig...
Looking for Lancaster County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lincoln city rules.
Accessory Structures in Lancaster County →