Bellevue, Neb., Code of Ordinances ch. 15 (2026) § 15-49
BASIC EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling, or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking and eating of meals therein which does not comply with the following requirements: (A) Kitchen sink. Every dwelling unit shall contain an approved kitchen sink with running water. (B) Toilet--Required. Every dwelling unit, except as otherwise permitted under the following subsection shall contain a toilet. (C) Same--Sharing. The occupants of not more than two second class dwelling units may share a toilet providing the total number of occupants in the two dwelling units sharing a single toilet does not exceed eight. (D) Bath. Every dwelling unit created after the effective date of this chapter shall contain a bath. Every dwelling unit now in use on the effective date of this chapter shall: (1) Contain a bath; or (2) Have a bath which is available to be used by not more than eight occupants of not more than two dwelling units. (E) Privacy in a room containing toilet and bath. Every toilet and every bath shall be contained within a room or within separate rooms which afford privacy to a person within the room or rooms. (F) Location of communal toilets and baths. Every communal toilet and bath, required to be provided in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall be located within a room or rooms accessible to the occupants of each dwelling unit sharing such facilities without going through a dwelling unit of another occupant and without going outside of the dwelling, and such room or rooms shall be located on the same floor of the dwelling as, or on the floor immediately above or immediately below, the dwelling units whose occupants share the use of such facilities. (G) Hot and cold water lines to bath. Every bath required under the provisions of this section shall be properly connected with both hot and cold water lines. (H) Bath water heating facilities. Every dwelling required to have a bath under the provisions of this section shall have supplied water-heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in reasonably good working conditions, are properly connected with the hot water lines required under the provisions of this section and are capable of heating water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn for every bath at a temperature of not less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Such supplied water-heating facilities shall be capable of meeting the requirements of this section when the dwelling or dwelling unit heating facilities required under the provisions of the following section are not in operation. (I) Connection of sanitary facilities. Every kitchen sink, toilet, lavatory basin and bath shall be maintained in a reasonably good working condition and be properly connected to an approved water and sewer system. (J) Rubbish storage or disposal. All dwellings and every multiple dwelling unit located on premises where two or more dwelling units share the same premises shall be supplied with adequate rubbish storage facilities whose type and location are approved. (K) Garbage storage or disposal. All dwellings and every multiple dwelling unit located on premises where two or more dwelling units share the same premises shall be supplied with adequate garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage containers whose type and locations are approved. (L) Exits. Every exit from every building shall comply with the following requirements: (1) It shall be kept in a reasonably good state of repair. (2) It shall be unobstructed at all times. (3) All exit stairways of four or more risers shall have at least one handrail and all stairways which are five feet or more in width, or which are open on both sides, shall have a handrail on each side. (4) Every dwelling unit shall have two independent ways of egress. (5) All handrails shall be not less than 30 inches vertically above the nose of the stair treads and not less than 36 inches above stairway platform. (6) Every approved dwelling unit above the second floor shall have an approved fire escape available to all occupants. (1964 Code, § 12A-17)
Bellevue, Neb., Code of Ordinances ch. 15, art. III § 15-49 establishes the minimum physical equipment and facilities that every dwelling or dwelling unit must have before it can lawfully be occupied for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating. Requirements cover kitchen sinks with running water, toilets, baths with hot and cold water, properly connected sanitary systems, rubbish and garbage storage, and safe exits including handrails and fire escapes. Shared facilities between two dwelling units are permitted under specific conditions, such as limits on the number of occupants sharing a single toilet or bath, and shared facilities must be accessible without passing through another occupant's unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bellevue, Neb., Code of Ordinances ch. 15, art. III § 15-49, operators of rental dwellings generally ensure that every unit is equipped with a functioning kitchen sink, toilet, and bath connected to approved water and sewer systems before allowing occupancy. Compliant operators maintain water-heating equipment capable of delivering water at no less than 100°F independently of the unit's space-heating system, keep exits unobstructed and in good repair, and provide approved rubbish and garbage storage facilities. Where shared sanitary facilities are used, compliant operators verify that no more than two units and eight total occupants share a single toilet or bath, and that shared facilities are accessible without requiring passage through another tenant's unit.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bellevue, Neb., Code of Ordinances ch. 15, art. III § 15-49 gives occupants the right to a dwelling that meets baseline standards for sanitation, hot water, waste disposal, and safe egress before they move in or while they reside there. If a unit lacks required equipment—such as a working kitchen sink, properly connected toilet or bath, adequate rubbish storage, or compliant exits—that may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe their dwelling falls short of these standards may consider documenting the conditions, contacting the appropriate local code enforcement office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.