Douglas County, NE Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy cap
- 2 per bedroom
- Total occupant ceiling
- 10 people, any bedroom count
- Guest vehicle cap
- 1 per qualifying bedroom
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Douglas County only
- Penalty
- Class III misdemeanor
Summary
Douglas County caps short-term lodging occupancy at two guests per code-compliant bedroom, with a hard ceiling of 10 total occupants, in the unincorporated county. Omaha and its municipalities regulate short-term rentals under their own codes.
The number of occupants shall not exceed two each per bedroom that meets residential building code standards. Regardless of the number of bedrooms, the total number of occupants shall not exceed 10. The number of guest vehicles shall not exceed the number of bedrooms that meet residential building code standards. Such uses including but not limited to; bed and breakfasts and Airbnb®.
D. Business Support Services Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the sale, rental or repair of equipment, supplies and materials or the provision of services used by office, professional and service establishments to the firms themselves but excluding automotive, construction and farm equipment. Typical uses include office equipment and supply firms, small business machine repair shops or hotel equipment and supply firms, messenger and delivery services, custodial or maintenance services, and convenience printing and copying. Page 19 of 33
E. Business or Trade Schools A use providing education or training in business, commerce, language, or other similar activity or occupational pursuit, and not otherwise defined as a home occupation, college or university, or public or private educational facility.
F. Campground A temporary use of land only for overnight, vacation or recreational purposes, and which may be occupied by tents, recreational vehicles or campers.
G. Cocktail Lounge
Full Breakdown
Article 3.07(C) of the Douglas County Zoning Regulations classifies short-term lodging (bed and breakfasts, Airbnb-style rentals) as a commercial use type and sets the occupant count directly: no more than two occupants per bedroom that meets residential building code standards, and never more than 10 occupants total regardless of bedroom count. Guest vehicles are capped at one per qualifying bedroom. These standards apply only in unincorporated Douglas County under the county's zoning authority; Omaha, Bennington, Valley, Waterloo, and Ralston each administer their own short-term rental rules and are not covered by this regulation.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the two-per-bedroom or 10-occupant cap is a zoning violation; the Zoning Coordinator can order the illegal use discontinued, and violators face a Class III misdemeanor, with each 24-hour period a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can a Douglas County Airbnb host?
Does this rule apply to an Airbnb in Omaha?
Are guest parking limits part of the rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Douglas County
Compare Douglas County to another location·View the Nebraska short-term rentals overview
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