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Nebraska Statewide Rule

Nebraska Bans Local Rent Control

Few RestrictionsApplies statewide across Nebraska (2026)

Key Facts

Local rent control
Banned (state-preempted)
Statewide rent cap
None
Preemption statute
Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-331 (LB266, 2025)
Cities with rent control
None
Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Nebraska Legislature

Summary

Nebraska preempts local rent control. Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-331, enacted by LB266 in 2025, bars any city, village, county, or other political subdivision from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that has the effect of imposing rent controls on private property. There is no statewide rent cap, and no Nebraska city has rent control.

Rent control; ordinance, prohibited; applicability of section. (1) For purposes of this section: (a) Local government means any city, village, or county or any agency or subdivision of a city, village, or county; and (b) Ordinance means any local law, including, but not limited to, any ordinance, resolution, rule, or regulation. (2) Except as expressly permitted by other state law or by subsection (3) of this section, a local government shall not have the power to enact or enforce any ordinance which would have the effect of imposing rent controls on private property. (3) This section does not apply to an ordinance that: (a) Is adopted for the purposes of increasing the supply of affordable housing and that does so through land-use or inclusionary housing requirements; or (b) Provides for a program that a private property owner voluntarily and contractually agrees to participate in and that restricts rent and rent increases. (4) This section applies notwithstanding the provisions of any home rule charter. (5) Any ordinance in violation of this section is null and void. Source Laws 2025, LB266, § 1.

Source: Nebraska LegislatureView official code

Full Breakdown

Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-331, added by Laws 2025, LB266 and approved April 7, 2025, provides that a local government "shall not enact or enforce any ordinance which would have the effect of imposing rent controls" on private property, and that any such ordinance is null and void notwithstanding any home rule charter. "Local government" reaches any city, village, or county, or any agency or subdivision thereof. The statute carves out land-use or inclusionary housing requirements aimed at affordable housing and voluntary programs in which a private property owner contractually agrees to rent limits. Nebraska sets no statewide cap on rent or rent increases, so for private rentals a landlord may raise rent by any amount at renewal, subject only to standard notice for ending or changing a periodic tenancy.

Violations & Penalties

Any local ordinance imposing rent controls on private property in violation of Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-331 is null and void, even under a home rule charter. The statute sets no fine because a preempted measure simply has no legal force and a property owner can have a court strike it down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rent control legal in Nebraska?
No. Nebraska has no rent control. Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-331, enacted in 2025, prohibits cities, villages, and counties from imposing rent controls on private property, and there is no statewide rent cap.
Can a city in Nebraska pass its own rent control?
No. Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-331 expressly bars any local government from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that imposes rent controls on private property, and declares any such ordinance null and void even under a home rule charter. Narrow exceptions exist for affordable-housing land-use rules and voluntary owner programs.
Is there a limit on how much rent can increase in Nebraska?
No. Nebraska sets no cap on rent or rent increases for private property. A landlord may raise rent by any amount at lease renewal, subject only to giving proper notice to end or change a periodic tenancy.

Sources

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