Lincoln, NE Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Absolute I-80/180 buffer
- 660 feet, all directions
- Entrance-corridor buffer
- 800 feet within 1/4 mile of city limits
- Permit term
- Administrative permit, 10 years
- Eligible districts
- B-1, B-3, B-4, H-2, H-3, H-4, I-1
Summary
Off-premises signs near Lincoln's entrance corridors must sit at least 800 feet from Interstate 80 within a quarter mile of the city limits, and none may stand within 660 feet of I-80/180 at all.
6. Within one-fourth mile on either side of the corporate limits of the City, the minimum distance between an off-premises sign and any of the below listed entrance corridors to the City shall be 800 feet measured in all directions. i. Interstate 80 and 180; ... 9. No off-premises signs shall be located within 660 feet of Interstate 80 and 180.
Full Breakdown
Lincoln's off-premises sign rules apply in the B-1, B-3, B-4, H-2, H-3, H-4, and I-1 zoning districts under an administrative permit from the Director of Building and Safety, good for ten years. Within one-fourth mile of the city limits, a new off-premises sign must be at least 800 feet from listed entrance corridors, including Interstate 80 and 180, Nebraska Highway 2, U.S. 6, Cornhusker Highway, North 27th Street, "O" Street, and Nebraska Parkway. A separate absolute buffer bars any off-premises sign within 660 feet of Interstate 80 and 180, regardless of distance to the city limits.
Violations & Fines
Signs sited inside the buffer, or an off-premises sign structure without a current administrative permit, are subject to removal by the Director of Building and Safety; abandoned sign structures with no copy for six months must come down within ten days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to I-80 can an off-premises sign go in Lincoln?
Does Lincoln require a permit for a billboard near the freeway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.