Lancaster County, NE Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

001 of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Zoning Resolution lets a home occupation operate inside a dwelling unit or an accessory building under six conditions. The only allowed sign is a single non-animated, non-illuminated, non-reflecting nameplate of two square feet or less, with lettering no taller than two inches, attached to the building where the occupation is conducted. Nothing may be sold on the premises except goods grown, manufactured, processed or treated there in connection with the occupation. Outside of the operator's own family, no more than one person may participate in the occupation on-site, though deliveries do not count toward that limit.

In the R Residential District specifically, any outdoor activity connected to the home occupation must be screened from public streets and neighboring property, and no equipment, machinery, parts or other articles used in the occupation may be stored outdoors. The occupation cannot use materials or equipment that generate noise, vibration, odors, electrical interference, smoke or particulate matter beyond what is ordinary for the general area, and it cannot occupy more than 20 percent of the total floor area of all buildings on the property. These standards were last amended by Resolution No. R-09-0076 (September 29, 2009) and Resolution No. 032 for occupations that need to exceed these base limits.