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Omaha, NE Public Health Rules: Bed-Bug Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

Authority
Ch. 23 + NE URLTA
Landlord duty
Maintain habitable unit
Tenant duty
Report and cooperate
Inspection
Code Compliance complaint

Summary

Bed bugs in Omaha rentals are treated as a habitability issue under the Nebraska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and the city's housing code, with landlords typically responsible for prompt extermination.

76-1419. Landlord to maintain fit premises. (1) The landlord shall: (a) Substantially comply, after written or actual notice, with the requirements of the applicable minimum housing codes materially affecting health and safety; (b) Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary, after written or actual notice, to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition; (c) Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition; (d) Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by him or her; (e) Provide and maintain appropriate receptacles and conveniences for the removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit and arrange for their removal from the appropriate receptacle; and (f) Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and reasonable heat except where the building that includes the dwelling unit is not required by law to be equipped for that purpose, or the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the tenant and supplied by a direct public utility connection.

Source: Omaha Municipal CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

Omaha's Housing Code (Chapter 23) requires rental units to be free of vermin and infestation as part of habitability. Under Nebraska URLTA (NE §76-1419), landlords must maintain fit and habitable premises, which courts and code officials interpret to include responding to bed bug complaints. Tenants generally must report infestations promptly and cooperate with treatment. DCHD provides public guidance but does not directly inspect every complaint; tenants can also file housing-code complaints with city Code Compliance.

Violations & Fines

Landlord refusal to treat reported bed bug infestations may trigger habitability complaints, code orders, withheld rent under URLTA procedures, or rental license issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for bed bug treatment in Omaha?
Generally the landlord, since habitability under Nebraska URLTA includes vermin-free premises, unless the lease lawfully assigns costs after tenant-caused infestation.
Can I withhold rent over bed bugs?
Only by following Nebraska URLTA's strict notice-and-cure procedure; self-help withholding without proper notice can risk eviction.

Sources & Official References

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