Lincoln, NE Rental Property Rules: Source-of-Income Discrimination (2026)
Key Facts
- Source-of-income protection
- None
- Section 8 mandate
- Voluntary
- Fairness Ordinance
- LMC §11.01.020
- State authority
- NE §20-318
Summary
Nebraska law and Lincoln's Fairness Ordinance do not include source of income as a protected class. Lincoln landlords may legally decline Section 8 vouchers or other subsidy-based applicants if the decision is not a pretext for race, disability, or familial status discrimination.
Nebraska Revised Statute 20-318. Unlawful acts enumerated. Except as exempted by section 20-322, it shall be unlawful to: (1) Refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of or otherwise make unavailable or deny, refuse to show, or refuse to receive and transmit an offer for a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, or military or veteran status; (2) Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith because of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, or military or veteran status; (3) Make, print, publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, or military or veteran status [...]; (4) Represent to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, or military or veteran status that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available [...].
Full Breakdown
The federal Fair Housing Act does not list source of income as a protected characteristic, and Nebraska Fair Housing Act §20-318 mirrors that scope. Lincoln Municipal Code §11.01.020 (Fairness Ordinance, 2012) added sexual orientation and gender identity, but it does not extend to source of income. Consequently, Lincoln landlords may refuse Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers, VASH vouchers, or other subsidy programs as a category. Practical limits remain: discriminatory refusal that disparately impacts a protected class can still violate fair-housing law, and the Lincoln Housing Authority can decline to renew contracts on properties that fail HQS inspection.
Violations & Fines
Stated voucher refusals are lawful, but using subsidy refusal as a pretext to exclude families with children, racial minorities, or persons with disabilities can produce HUD complaints and Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Lincoln landlord reject a Section 8 voucher?
Where do I file a fair-housing complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.