9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
Verified from official government sources
In Lincoln and Lancaster County, grass, weeds, or worthless vegetation over six inches above the ground must be cut. Owners get a notice to cut within five days, or the City cuts it and bills them.
Lincoln Municipal Code 8.46.010
It shall be the duty of every owner of real estate in the city to cut and clear, or clear, such real estate, together with one-half of the streets and alleys abutting thereon, of all weeds or worthless vegetation whenever such weeds or worthless vegetation shall extend more than six inches above the ground.
Nebraska law requires landowners to trim trees, hedges, and undergrowth along public roads at least once a year when they become a nuisance to travel or block sightlines. Trees must be cleared to eight feet from the ground.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 39-1812
shall keep the same trimmed not less than once a year by cutting back to within four feet of the ground, excepting trees, which shall be trimmed from the ground up eight feet, and the trimmings so cut shall be burned or removed from the road right-of-way within ten days after each cutting.
You can remove trees on your own private property in Lincoln without a city permit. A permit from the City is required to plant, remove, or destroy a street tree in the parkway or other public right-of-way.
Nebraska's Noxious Weed Control Act makes every landowner responsible for controlling noxious weeds. The Lancaster County Weed Control Authority enforces the Act and can order control or do the work and bill the owner.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 2-945.01
Sections 2-945.01 to 2-966 shall be known and may be cited as the Noxious Weed Control Act.
Nebraska has no statewide homeowner watering ban. Lincoln Water System uses voluntary conservation and, during drought, an odd/even watering schedule by address. Mandatory cuts are rare and were last imposed in 2012.
Nebraska places no restriction on residential rainwater harvesting. Homeowners in Lincoln and Lancaster County may legally collect roof runoff in rain barrels or cisterns for outdoor use without a permit.
Neither Lincoln nor Lancaster County bans native-plant or prairie landscaping. The six-inch weed rule targets uncontrolled or worthless vegetation, not a deliberately cultivated native garden that is maintained and kept off neighboring property.
Lincoln and Lancaster County have no ordinance specifically permitting or banning artificial turf in residential yards. Installations are governed by general zoning, drainage, and property-maintenance standards rather than a dedicated turf rule.
Nebraska bans grass clippings and leaves from landfills April 1 to November 30, so Lincoln separates yard waste to its compost facility during that window. Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged year-round.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-2039
A landfill may accept yard waste without condition from December 1 through March 31 of each year.
1 cities in Lancaster County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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