Nebraska law preempts cities, villages, and counties from adopting most firearms regulations. Neb. Rev. Stat. 17-556 and 18-1703, broadened by LB 77 in 2023, reserve gun policy to the state and override conflicting municipal ordinances on possession, carry, transfer, transport, and storage.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 18-1703, the ownership, possession, transportation, transfer, sale, purchase, taxation, manufacture, registration, and storage of firearms and ammunition are matters of statewide concern reserved to the Legislature. Section 17-556 mirrors that limit for villages and second-class cities. LB 77, enacted in 2023, broadened preemption by repealing former subsection language that allowed Lincoln and Omaha to impose certain handgun ordinances and concealed-handgun rules within their corporate limits. Cities may still enact ordinances on the discharge of firearms, on possession in city-owned buildings open to the public when posted, and on conduct constituting a public nuisance, but those rules cannot be more restrictive than state law. Any conflicting local ordinance is void.
A local ordinance that conflicts with section 18-1703 is unenforceable. Affected gun owners may sue for declaratory and injunctive relief, and prevailing plaintiffs may recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs from the political subdivision.
Lincoln, NE
Lincoln's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Political...
Lincoln, NE
Lincoln has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenants under...
Lincoln, NE
Lincoln has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA and condo covenants ...
Lincoln, NE
Outdoor kitchens in Lincoln require separate trade permits from the Building & Safety Department: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit ...
Lincoln, NE
Lincoln has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit balcony ...
Lincoln, NE
Lincoln enforces the International Fire Code through Title 16 of the Lincoln Municipal Code. IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas gri...
See how Lincoln's local firearms preemption rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.