Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code ch. 11.06 § 11.06.065
Residential Real Estate Transactions; Discriminatory Refusal to Make Available Transactions
Operative Text
a. It shall be unlawful for any person or other entity whose business includes engaging in transactions related to residential real estate to discriminate against any person in making available such a transaction or in the terms or condition of such a transaction because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status , national origin, marital status, disability , ancestry, or lawful source of income . b. For purposes of this section, transaction related to residential real estate shall mean any of the following: 1. The making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance: i. For purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling ; or ii. Secured by residential real estate; or 2. The selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property. c. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person engaged in the business of furnishing appraisals of real property from taking into consideration factors other than race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, or lawful source of income. (Approved by voters at May 6, 2025 General Election per City Ordinance Initiative Petition, Charter Article IV, Sec. 22; Ord. 17031 §3; July 15, 1996: Ord. 15966 §8; September 9, 1991).
Lincoln Municipal Code § 11.06.065 prohibits any business involved in residential real estate transactions—including lenders, brokers, and appraisers—from discriminating against people based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, marital status, disability, ancestry, or lawful source of income. The rule covers a broad range of transactions, from making or purchasing loans and providing financial assistance to selling, brokering, and appraising residential property. Appraisers are permitted under this section to consider legitimate, non-protected factors when valuing property, but may not rely on any of the listed protected characteristics.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Businesses engaged in residential real estate transactions in Lincoln—including lenders, brokers, and appraisers—are expected under § 11.06.065 to apply consistent, non-discriminatory standards across all protected classes when offering or structuring any transaction. Compliant operators typically document their decision-making criteria, train staff on the protected categories enumerated in this section, and review policies to ensure that loan terms, brokerage services, and appraisal practices do not vary based on a customer's race, religion, sex, disability, lawful source of income, or other listed characteristics. Appraisers may factor in legitimate market considerations, provided those considerations are not proxies for any protected class identified in § 11.06.065.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Lincoln Municipal Code § 11.06.065, individuals have the right to access residential real estate transactions—including loans, financial assistance, brokerage services, and appraisals—free from discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, disability, familial status, or lawful source of income. Someone who believes they were denied a loan, quoted different terms, or received a biased appraisal on a prohibited basis may have grounds to raise a violation of this section. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with a local civil rights or human rights agency, contacting a tenant-rights or fair-housing organization, or consulting an attorney familiar with fair housing law to understand available options under § 11.06.065.
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 5, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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