Home Business in Douglas County, NE (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Douglas County, Nebraska.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Douglas County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Unincorporated Douglas County splits home businesses into two tiers: Home Occupation I needs a special use permit, Home Occupation II is allowed by right with no customers or outside employees.

Douglas County Home Occupation Zoning

Some Restrictions

Douglas County Zoning Regulations § 5.11(A)

A. Home Occupations: Home Occupation I (MAJOR): These type home occupations require a special use permit and include any of the following; 1. Any business or use with a part time or full time employees not residing on the premises 2. Any business which involves customer visits to the location 3. Not located in the residence (such as a detached structure)

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Signage Rules

In unincorporated Douglas County, a home occupation may display just one sign, attached to the residence, capped at 3 square feet: freestanding signs are barred outright.

Douglas County Home Business Sign Limit

Significant Restrictions

Douglas County Zoning Regulations § 5.11(A)(1)(d)

One sign advertising the business is allowed, attached to the residence. Such sign shall not exceed three square feet in total area. Freestanding signs are not permitted. e. Not more than one-half of the area of one floor level of the dwelling or accessory building shall be used for such business, including the storage of materials or products.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Customer Traffic Restrictions

In unincorporated Douglas County, a home business that has customers visit the property is classified as a Major Home Occupation and cannot operate without a special use permit approved by the county.

Douglas County Home Business Client Visit Permit

Significant Restrictions

Douglas County Zoning Regulations § 5.11(A)

A. Home Occupations: Home Occupation I (MAJOR): These type home occupations require a special use permit and include any of the following; 1. Any business or use with a part time or full time employees not residing on the premises 2. Any business which involves customer visits to the location 3. Not located in the residence (such as a detached structure) Examples may include art/craft makin...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Daycare

Douglas County zoning treats a state-licensed home daycare serving six or fewer people as a permitted-by-right land use in every zoning district, including all residential districts: no special use permit needed. Applies only to unincorporated county land, not Omaha.

Home Daycare Zoning Rules in Douglas County, NE

Few Restrictions

Douglas County Zoning Regulations § 4.10, Table 4.1

Use Types AG RR R-1 R-2 R-3 MH MU ID Supplemental Regulations ... Day Care (Limited) P P P P P P P P 5.04 Day Care (General) S S S S P S P P 5.04

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Business by City in Douglas County

1 cities in Douglas County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

OmahaPop. 486,051

3 verified rules • Customer Traffic Restrictions, Home Daycare

All Douglas County ordinances

See every category we cover for Douglas County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Douglas County Ordinance Hub →