Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code ch. 21.09 § 21.09.170
Criminal Violations; Penalties
Operative Text
Any person upon whom a duty is placed by the provisions of this title who shall fail, neglect, or refuse to perform such duty, or who shall violate a provision of this title shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not to exceed $500.00 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a period not to exceed six months, or both, except that each person so convicted shall be fined in a sum of not less than $200.00 for the first offense, not less than $300.00 for a second offense, and not less than $400.00 for the third offense and each offense thereafter. The penalty herein provided shall be cumulative with and in addition to the revocation, cancellation, or forfeiture of any license, permit, or right elsewhere provided for or as provided by law. Each day that a violation of this title continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense and shall be punishable as such. (Ord. 20058 §17; August 11, 2014).
Lincoln Municipal Code § 21.09.170 establishes criminal penalties for anyone who fails to fulfill a duty or violates any provision of Title 21.09. A violation is treated as a misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $500 and/or up to six months in county jail, with mandatory minimum fines that escalate from $200 for a first offense to $300 for a second and $400 for a third or subsequent offense. Importantly, every day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and these criminal penalties stack on top of any license, permit, or other administrative consequences that may also apply.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Lincoln Municipal Code Title 21.09 are generally expected to maintain continuous compliance with all duties the title imposes, since § 21.09.170 treats each day of ongoing noncompliance as a distinct criminal offense. Compliant operators typically conduct regular self-audits to identify and promptly correct any deficiencies before they accumulate into multiple separate violations. Because criminal penalties under this section can accompany—not replace—license revocations or permit cancellations, operators generally keep documentation of corrective actions taken in response to any identified issue.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Lincoln Municipal Code § 21.09.170, tenants should be aware that landlords or other duty-holders who violate Title 21.09 may face misdemeanor charges, escalating mandatory fines, and potential jail time, with each day of continued violation treated as a new offense. If a tenant believes a landlord is failing to meet obligations under Title 21.09, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the relevant local code enforcement or municipal authority, or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Lincoln housing regulations. Because criminal penalties under § 21.09.170 are cumulative with administrative remedies, tenants may have multiple avenues available to address ongoing violations.
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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