Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code ch. 21.05 § 21.05.370
Section 403 Amended; Ventilation
Operative Text
Section 403 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows: SECTION 403 - VENTILATION 403.1 Habitable Spaces. Every habitable space shall have at least one openable window. The total openable area of the window in every room shall be equal to at least 45 percent of the minimum glazed area required in Section 402.1. Where rooms and spaces without openings to the outdoors are ventilated through an adjoining room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be at least 8 percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet (2.33m 2 ). The ventilation openings to the outdoors shall be based on a total floor area being ventilated. 403.2 Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Every bathroom and toilet room shall comply with the ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as required by Section 403.1, except that a window shall not be required in such spaces equipped with a mechanical ventilation system. Air exhausted by a mechanical ventilation system from a bathroom or toilet room shall discharge to the outdoors and shall not be recirculated. 403.3 Cooking facilities. Unless approved through the certificate of occupancy, cooking shall not be permitted in any rooming unit or dormitory unit, and a cooking facility or appliance shall not be permitted to be present in a rooming unit or dormitory unit, except: Where specifically approved in writing by the code official. Devices such as coffee pots and microwave ovens shall not be considered cooking appliances. 403.4 Clothes dryer exhaust . Clothes dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall be exhausted in accordance with the Uniform Mechanical Code as adopted by the City, except listed and labeled condensing (ductless) clothes dryers. (Ord. 19349 §37; March 1, 2009).
Lincoln Municipal Code ch. 21.05 § 21.05.370 amends Section 403 of the International Property Maintenance Code to establish ventilation standards for residential spaces. Every habitable room must have at least one openable window meeting a minimum area threshold, while bathrooms and toilet rooms may substitute mechanical ventilation for a window as long as exhaust air is discharged outdoors. Cooking in rooming or dormitory units is generally prohibited unless specifically approved in writing by the code official, and clothes dryer exhaust systems must vent independently to the outside in compliance with the City-adopted Uniform Mechanical Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Lincoln should ensure that every habitable space covered by § 21.05.370 has at least one openable window whose area meets the 45-percent-of-minimum-glazed-area standard set out in the provision. Bathrooms and toilet rooms with mechanical ventilation systems must have those systems exhausting directly to the outdoors with no recirculation. Rooming and dormitory units generally may not contain cooking facilities or appliances unless the code official has granted written approval, and clothes dryer exhaust must run as an independent system vented to the exterior per the City-adopted Uniform Mechanical Code.
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 ch. 21.05 § 21.05.370, tenants in habitable spaces are entitled to at least one openable window of adequate size, and bathrooms with mechanical ventilation must have that system exhausting to the outdoors rather than recirculating air. If a rooming or dormitory unit lacks proper ventilation or contains an unauthorized cooking appliance, that may constitute a code violation that can be reported to the local code enforcement authority. Tenants who believe their unit does not meet the ventilation standards of § 21.05.370 may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand 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 5, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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