Environmental Rules in Nebraska (2026)
20 rules on the books across Nebraska, 5 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Stormwater Management
Requirements for managing rainwater runoff on your property, including retention basins, permeable surfaces, and drainage plans.
Lincoln
Significant RestrictionsLincoln bans discharging any pollutant into the storm drainage system, with violations subject to fines up to $500 per…
Read full rule →Douglas County
Some RestrictionsDouglas County's zoning regulations require any project going through site plan review or a special use permit in the…
Read full rule →Omaha
Some RestrictionsOmaha prohibits dumping anything but stormwater into its storm sewer system, and puts upkeep of private drainage lines…
Read full rule →Erosion Control
Rules to prevent soil erosion during construction and landscaping, including required sediment barriers and ground cover standards.
Nebraska: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsNebraska Revised Statute 81-1506(2)(a) makes it unlawful to discharge pollutants into waters of the state without an…
Read full rule →Douglas County
Some RestrictionsDouglas County requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and erosion control plan for new development in the…
Read full rule →Lancaster County
Some RestrictionsAnyone seeking a special permit to excavate clay, sand, gravel or stone on more than an acre in Lancaster County's AG…
Read full rule →Lincoln
Some RestrictionsLincoln requires a Notice of Intent permit and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan before any construction activity…
Read full rule →Omaha
Some RestrictionsOmaha requires a grading permit before any grading, clearing, or excavation large enough to need an NPDES stormwater…
Read full rule →Coastal Development
Building restrictions near coastlines, including setbacks from the water, dune protection rules, and coastal commission permits.
Flood Zones
Building requirements for properties in FEMA flood zones, including elevation standards, flood insurance mandates, and construction limits.
Nebraska: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsNebraska requires participating communities to adopt floodplain management ordinances meeting state and federal…
Read full rule →Sarpy County
Heavy RestrictionsSarpy County enforces FEMA floodplain standards through Section 29 of its zoning regulations. A floodplain development…
Read full rule →Douglas County
Significant RestrictionsUnincorporated Douglas County requires a floodplain development permit before any construction, fill, or substantial…
Read full rule →Lancaster County
Significant RestrictionsAny development within Lancaster County's mapped 100-year floodplain needs a separate development permit from the…
Read full rule →Lincoln
Significant RestrictionsLincoln bars new construction, fill, and substantial improvements in the floodway unless a licensed engineer certifies…
Read full rule →Omaha
Some RestrictionsAny floodplain development or substantial improvement in Omaha requires a permit from the city's floodplain management…
Read full rule →Sustainable Procurement
City rules requiring sustainable, recycled, or low-emissions products in municipal purchasing, and how those rules trickle down to contractors and concessions.
Flood Elevation Requirements
FEMA NFIP minimum base flood elevation (BFE) construction standards for properties in mapped flood zones, including freeboard requirements above BFE.
Douglas County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Douglas County's flood fringe overlay district, new homes and substantial improvements must have…
Read full rule →Lancaster County
Some RestrictionsNew and substantially improved buildings in Lancaster County's floodway fringe must have their lowest floor at least…
Read full rule →Lincoln
Some RestrictionsNew residential and commercial buildings in Lincoln's mapped floodplain must have their lowest floor elevated at least…
Read full rule →Omaha
Some RestrictionsOmaha requires new and substantially improved homes in the flood fringe to elevate their lowest floor one foot above…
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