Nebraska Lawmakers Build Support for Relaxing Density Restrictions

Nebraska could become the second state in the nation after Oregon to pass a statewide law on zoning. Single-family homes predominate in Nebraska’s largest cities, and local rules that prohibit the production of more housing are leading to rising costs. Housing prices haven’t reached the level of those in major coastal cities, but legislators want to take action to prevent drastic jumps in costs and resulting housing shortages.

State legislators are focusing on zoning and density, parking minimums, mixed-use developments, and low-income housing units. In many states, these are divisive issues that often lead to resistance campaigns at the neighborhood, city, and state levels. In Nebraska, though, that has not yet been the case.

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