Omaha actively encourages native prairie and pollinator plantings through the Omaha Stormwater Program and the Metropolitan Utilities District's lawn conversion rebates. Native plantings are permissible under Omaha's weed ordinance when properly designed and maintained.
Nebraska's prairie heritage is reflected in Douglas County's growing support for native landscaping. The Omaha Stormwater Program promotes rain gardens, bioswales, and native plant buffers as green infrastructure under its MS4 NPDES permit. Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District offer occasional lawn-conversion and rain-garden cost-share programs using Nebraska native species (big bluestem, little bluestem, prairie dropseed, coneflowers, milkweed). Under Omaha Municipal Code §18-8 and the Nebraska Noxious Weed Control Act (NRS §§2-945.01 to 2-970), properties must still control state-designated noxious weeds and cannot let grasses and rank vegetation exceed 12 inches in maintained yards. A managed native landscape with a design plan, defined edges, and maintenance is treated as a landscape rather than a nuisance. HOAs in Douglas County may restrict front-yard native plantings; Nebraska does not have a state native-plant-rights statute. The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum provides design resources.
Unmowed lawn over 12 inches without a documented native-landscape plan: weed notice under Omaha §18-8, 10 days to correct, city abatement at owner expense ($200+). Noxious weed violation (NRS §2-952): $100/day up to $1,500. HOA violations handled civilly per CC&Rs.
Douglas County, NE
Douglas County EV charger installations require an electrical permit. Omaha has no specific EV-ready new construction mandate as of 2025, but OPPD offers res...
Douglas County, NE
Omaha does not impose a blanket overnight street parking ban but enforces a 24-hour continuous parking limit and activates emergency snow routes. Vehicles pa...
Douglas County, NE
Omaha requires a 4-foot minimum barrier around residential pools, spas, and hot tubs per IRC Appendix G/V as adopted via NRS §71-6403. Gates must be self-clo...
Douglas County, NE
Douglas County fence materials are governed by Omaha Municipal Code §55 (Zoning) and Douglas County Zoning Resolution. Wood, vinyl, composite, wrought iron, ...
Douglas County, NE
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission discourages feeding deer and other wildlife and prohibits baiting for hunting under most circumstances. Omaha Municipal Co...
Douglas County, NE
Douglas County allows backyard chickens in Omaha under Omaha Municipal Code §6-55, with a permit required and a limit of typically 3 hens (no roosters). Coop...
See how Douglas County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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