Omaha, NE Holiday Decorations: Holiday Light Rules (2026)

Omaha does not regulate the duration, brightness, or schedule of residential seasonal holiday lighting through municipal ordinance. Single-family homeowners can display holiday lights without permit or notification, subject to a few practical rules: (1) Electrical compliance — outdoor circuits must be GFCI-protected under the National Electrical Code (2017 with Nebraska amendments), and light strings must be UL-listed for outdoor use; (2) Noise compliance — sound-synchronized 'spectacular' displays must respect Omaha Code Chapter 17.20 (Noise Control), which establishes a 50 dBA residential nighttime limit from 10 PM to 7 AM; (3) Property maintenance — damaged or hazardous displays can be cited under Code Chapter 18 (Nuisances) and Chapter 48 (Property Maintenance Code) if they create blight or safety hazards. Snow and ice are significant practical concerns — heavy ice loads on light strings can pull down gutters and create electrocution hazards if cables get nicked. Condo and HOA covenants under Nebraska's Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §76-825 et seq., adopted 2010) and the older Condominium Property Act commonly restrict the dates and types of permitted displays. Nebraska has no statutory cap on HOA fines, so association enforcement can be substantial.