Omaha, NE Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches
- Enforcing code
- Ch. 18, Art. III
- City can abate and bill owner
- § 18-28
- First-offense fine
- $75
- Repeat-year admin fee
- $105
Summary
Owners of vacant and occupied lots in Omaha must keep grass, weeds and nuisance vegetation under 12 inches tall or face city abatement and fines.
Permit, allow or maintain any growth of noxious weeds, grass or other nuisance vegetation 12 inches or more in height... It shall be the duty of each owner, agent, occupant or person in possession, charge or control of any lot or ground... to cut and clear such lot or ground... of all weeds, grass and nuisance vegetation which have reached a height of 12 inches or more.
Full Breakdown
Omaha Municipal Code § 18-22 bars any owner, agent or occupant of a lot from permitting noxious weeds, grass or nuisance vegetation to grow 12 inches or taller, or from letting uncontrolled brush and vines create a health, safety or rodent-harborage risk. Section 18-24 puts an affirmative duty on the owner to cut the lot plus half of the abutting right-of-way, rake and remove the cuttings, and keep vegetation under 12 inches year-round. If the owner ignores the city's published notice, section 18-28 lets the city cut or spray the growth itself and assess the cost against the property as a special assessment.
Violations & Fines
First violation $75, second at the same location $150, third and later $300 (or $500 if within 24 months of two prior violations); a $105 reinspection/repeat administrative fee can also apply, plus the city's abatement cost assessed against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can weeds be on a vacant Omaha lot?
What happens if I ignore a weed notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Omaha
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