Short-Term Rentals in Lancaster County, NE (2026)

10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Lancaster County, Nebraska.

Verified from official government sources

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

Permit Requirements

In the City of Lincoln, which covers most of Lancaster County, you must hold a valid short-term rental license before you list or advertise a rental of 30 or fewer consecutive days. Unincorporated Lancaster County has no dedicated STR license; the County Zoning Resolution governs land use there.

Lincoln & Lancaster County Short-Term Rental License

Some Restrictions

LMC 5.39.020

Beginning September 20, 2021, it shall be unlawful for any person to make available, or advertise, a short-term rental unit for rent or lease within the corporate limits of the City of Lincoln unless such person holds a valid license therefor.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Lincoln short-term rental guests must obey the city noise ordinance, and the STR law bites directly: a licensed rental hit with three or more verified complaints of noise or other disturbance in one calendar year can have its license revoked by the Building Official. Hosts are responsible for guest conduct.

Lincoln STR Noise Rules & Complaint-Based Revocation

Some Restrictions

LMC 5.39.040

The Building Official may revoke any license issued under this article if: The licensed premises is the subject of three (3) or more verified complaints of noise or other disturbance in the course of one (1) calendar year.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

A Lincoln short-term rental owes a 4% city hotel occupation tax on the charge per occupied room per night, plus a 1% Nebraska state lodging tax and the 4% Lancaster County lodging tax, on top of state and city sales tax. The Lincoln STR license itself costs $250 per year.

Lincoln STR Occupation Tax, Lodging Taxes & License Fee

Some Restrictions

LMC 3.28.030 (hotel defined to include short-term rentals, LMC 3.28.020)

Beginning January 1, 2011, each person engaged in the business of operating a hotel in the City shall pay an occupation tax in the amount of four percent (4%) of the total consideration charged for occupancy per occupied room per night.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Lincoln's short-term rental ordinance (LMC Chapter 5.39) sets no rental-specific parking requirement. Guests use the dwelling's existing driveway and off-street parking and must obey the City of Lincoln's ordinary on-street parking rules. Unincorporated Lancaster County parking is governed by the County Zoning Resolution, not an STR rule.

Lincoln Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Lincoln caps a short-term rental at two guests per sleeping area, up to a maximum of 12 people, regardless of license status. A sleeping area is a habitable room with an operable egress window; hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms do not count, and hosts must tell renters which areas cannot be

Lincoln Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limit

Some Restrictions

LMC 5.39.020

it shall be unlawful for any person, regardless of license status, to rent or advertise a short-term rental unit to more than the number of persons calculated as the total number of sleeping areas on the licensed premises multiplied by two, up to a maximum of 12 persons.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Lincoln's short-term rental ordinance (LMC Chapter 5.39) does not require hosts to carry any specific liability or commercial insurance. Coverage is governed by your insurer, mortgage lender, and any HOA. A standard homeowner policy often excludes paid rental activity, so hosts should verify coverage themselves.

Lincoln Short-Term Rental Insurance Requirements (None)

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Lincoln imposes no cap on how many nights per year a home may be rented short-term. Once licensed under LMC Chapter 5.39, an operator may rent year-round. The ordinance regulates through licensing, occupancy limits, safety standards, and complaint-based revocation rather than an annual night limit.

Lincoln Short-Term Rental Night Caps (None)

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Lincoln STR hosts apply on a Building Official form giving the owner's name and address, the unit's location and dimensions, and a 45-minute emergency contact. The applicant must certify smoke alarms, carbon-monoxide detectors, two egress routes from sleeping areas, and proof of possession by deed or lease.

Lincoln STR Application & Safety Certification

Some Restrictions

LMC 5.39.030

Before any license under this article is issued, an application on a form provided by the Building Official shall be submitted setting forth the following information: The name and address of the applicant; the address of the short-term rental unit... and information sufficient... to identify the location and dimensions of the short-term rental unit within the dwelling.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Lincoln does not require the host to be on-site during a stay, but LMC 5.39.030 requires a designated contact who can respond on the licensee's behalf and physically reach the short-term rental within 45 minutes for any emergency or other issue. That contact information must also be provided to every

Lincoln STR Host-Presence & 45-Minute Responder Rule

Some Restrictions

LMC 5.39.030

contact information for someone who can respond on behalf of the licensee and reach the short-term rental within 45 minutes in case of an emergency or other issue.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Lincoln does not require a short-term rental to be your primary residence. LMC 5.39.030 expressly lets a non-owner apply, provided they show proof of possession and written permission from the property owner allowing short-term rentals. Investor-owned and absentee whole-house rentals are therefore allowed once licensed.

Lincoln STR Primary-Residence Rules (None)

Some Restrictions

LMC 5.39.030

If the applicant does not own the property where the licensed premises are located, the applicant must provide written documentation from the property owner allowing short-term rentals on the licensed premises.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Lancaster County

1 cities in Lancaster County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

LincolnPop. 291,082

13 verified rules • Extended Home Share, Host Platform Liability

All Lancaster County ordinances

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Lancaster County Ordinance Hub →