Douglas County, NE Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Surface required
- Concrete, concrete pavers, or asphalt
- Rule covers
- Driveways and off-street parking areas
- Applies in
- Unincorporated Douglas County only
- Does not apply in
- Omaha and incorporated cities
- Penalty
- Class III misdemeanor per §13.12
Summary
In unincorporated Douglas County, off-street parking areas, a term that includes driveways, must be hard-surfaced with concrete, concrete pavers, or asphalt and kept free of mud, dust, and loose material.
Off-street parking facilities shall be hard-surfaced and maintained in a manner that prevents mud, dust or loose material. The intent is to minimize the transport of such materials and contaminants in general that might be transported off site via storm water runoff that eventually enters a creek, stream, or other waterbody.
2. Off street parking facilities shall be designed and built to prevent the free flow of water onto adjacent properties or public rights of way. Parking lot design shall make maximum use of techniques that reduce the flow and velocity of storm water utilizing the Best Page 16 of 20
Management Practices identified in the Comprehensive Plan, including, but not limited to pervious pavement, bioswales, and onsite retention and detention.
C. Landscape and screening requirements for parking facilities are set forth in Article 9.
D. Entrances and Exits
1. Adequate access to each parking facility shall be provided by means of clearly defined and limited driveways or access points. Such driveways shall be designed to direct non-residential traffic away from residential areas.
2. Parking facilities other than driveways for single-family, duplex, twofamily, or mobile home residential uses must permit vehicles to enter streets in a forward position.
Full Breakdown
Douglas County's Zoning Regulations require every off-street parking facility to be hard-surfaced and maintained so it does not shed mud, dust, or loose material (§10.06(B)(1)). "Off-Street Parking" is defined to cover driveways and access ways, and "Paved" means hard-surfaced with concrete, concrete pavers, or asphalt (§2.02). The standard attaches whenever a new building, new use, conversion, or building enlargement is developed (§10.02). It governs only the unincorporated county. Omaha, Bennington, Valley, Waterloo, and Ralston each administer their own zoning code and are not covered by this regulation.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance is a Class III misdemeanor under §13.12; the Zoning Coordinator can also order the surface corrected, and each 24-hour period the violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a gravel or dirt driveway in unincorporated Douglas County?
Does this driveway-paving rule apply inside Omaha?
What happens if a driveway isn't paved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Douglas County
Compare Douglas County to another location·View the Nebraska parking rules overview
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