Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code ch. 21.05 § 21.05.320
Section 304.19 Added; Maintenance of Buildings and Premises
Operative Text
Section 304.19 is added to the International Property Maintenance Code to read as follows: 304.19 Maintenance of Buildings and Premises. All buildings, or portions thereof, shall be adequately maintained so as to be free of deterioration that endangers or is likely to endanger the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the public or occupants thereof. All exposed exterior surfaces, windows and doors of buildings, structures and the premises upon which they are located shall be adequately maintained so as to not present a deteriorated or blighted appearance. Inadequate maintenance of buildings shall include but not be limited to the following: Any building or portion thereof which is determined to be an unsafe building in accordance with the International Building Code as adopted by the City. Buildings which for a period of three months or more are boarded up, left in a partial state of destruction, or left in a state of partial construction after expiration of a building permit for such construction. Broken windows constituting hazardous conditions. Unpainted buildings which have begun to dry rot, warp, or become infested with termites. Buildings which have substantial and noticeable conditions of blight or deterioration. Buildings which have cracked, chipped, flaking, peeling, or missing paint over 25% or more of any wall or face of the building. Buildings which have upholstered or other furniture which is designed or manufactured primarily for indoor use with no original outdoor weatherproofing qualities including, but not limited to, upholstered chairs, upholstered couches, and mattresses used or left on unenclosed exterior porches, balconies, or in an exposed open area including, but not limited to, decks, patios, roofs, yards, driveways, or walkways. Exterior porches shall not include any porch completely covered by a roof, when located at and attached to a building and completely enclosed by fully intact glass and/or fully intact screens which are designed to keep out insects and allow air flow. Inadequate maintenance of the premises shall include, but not be limited to the following: Accumulation of debris, litter, rubbish, rubble, solid waste, and similar materials or conditions. Dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth which by reason of rotting or deteriorating condition or storm damage constitute a health or safety hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof. Sources of infestation. Premises which have substantial and noticeable conditions of blight or disrepair. (Ord. 19349 §32; March 1, 2009).
Lincoln Municipal Code § 21.05.320 (Section 304.19) adds a local maintenance standard to the International Property Maintenance Code, requiring that all buildings and their surrounding premises be kept in a condition that does not endanger the health, safety, or welfare of occupants or the general public. The rule identifies specific conditions that constitute inadequate maintenance, including boarded-up or partially constructed buildings left unattended for three or more months, broken windows, significant paint deterioration covering 25% or more of any wall, indoor furniture placed on unenclosed exterior areas, and accumulations of debris or sources of infestation on the premises. Blighted or deteriorated appearances on exposed exterior surfaces, windows, and doors are also prohibited under this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code § 21.05.320 generally keep all building exteriors, structures, and premises in a state of active, ongoing maintenance that prevents deterioration from reaching hazardous or blighted levels. Compliant operators typically address paint failures before they cover 25% or more of any wall face, ensure that construction projects do not stall beyond permit expiration for three or more months, and remove indoor-style upholstered furniture from unenclosed outdoor areas such as decks, patios, and yards. Routine inspections of premises for debris accumulation, dead or dying trees, and potential infestation sources are also consistent with the maintenance obligations described in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code § 21.05.320, tenants have an interest in knowing that their building and its premises must be maintained free of conditions that endanger health, safety, or welfare — including broken windows, severe paint deterioration, blighted exteriors, and hazardous natural growth on the property. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to fall within the inadequate-maintenance categories listed in this provision, general enforcement paths can include reporting the conditions to the local code enforcement or building inspection authority in Lincoln. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help occupants understand how documented maintenance failures under this section may be relevant to habitability concerns or other remedies available under Nebraska law.
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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