Omaha, Neb., Code of Ordinances ch. 48, art. II (2026) § 48-203
Definitions
Operative Text
For the purpose of this article the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Other terms used in this article and not expressly defined herein, but defined elsewhere in this Code, shall have the meaning as set forth in the Code, unless otherwise provided by the context. Annual inspection shall mean the inspection required under this article on an annual basis. Code or this Code shall mean the Omaha Municipal Code. Code official shall mean the structural superintendent of the permits and inspections division of the planning department, or his or her authorized designees. Inspection shall mean an on-site examination of a rental property or rental dwelling under this article. IPMC shall mean the International Property Maintenance Code, published by the International Code Council (ICC), as from time to time adopted, amended, or superseded by the city, and as incorporated in chapter 48 of this Code. The terms of the IPMC are incorporated herein by this reference. Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or any other entity or association. Property manager shall mean a person responsible for the management of the rental property other than the property owner. A property manager shall be deemed to be an agent to act on behalf of and bind the property owner in all matters arising out of or under this article, except to the extent such authority shall be expressly limited as provided in writing to the code official. Property owner shall mean any person holding legal title to a rental property as recorded with the Douglas County register of deeds, or otherwise having control of the rental property as heir, assignee, guardian, conservator, receiver, trustee, executor, administrator or other similar representative capacity of any such person or his or her estate, to the extent proof of such control is presented to the satisfaction of the code official; provided, however, that the term property owner does not include any person whose only interest in a rental property is as a tenant pursuant to a lease. Registration, or register, shall mean the filing of a registration of a rental property, with the permits and inspections division of the city, as required by this article. Rental dwelling shall mean one or more rooms for lease in an enclosed structure arranged, designed, and intended for use as a residence or living quarters for shelter, cooking, eating, sanitation and/or sleeping by one or more persons who are not its owners for a duration longer than 30 days and contained within a rental property as defined herein. In the case of a building containing multiple rental dwellings, each separately identifiable unit for lease shall constitute a rental dwelling separate from all other rental dwellings. For purposes of this article only, this definition of a rental dwelling shall not include assisted living, convalescent services, and hotels and motels, as defined by chapter 55 of this Code. Rental property shall mean a lot or other parcel of real property with a separate and distinct number or other designation shown on a plat, record of survey, parcel map, or subdivision map recorded in the county register of deeds, and which contains one or more rental dwellings leased or available for lease for occupancy. Ten-year inspection shall mean the inspection required under this article once every ten years. Transfer shall mean when a property owner sells, gives or disposes ownership interest of all or any part of a rental property to any other person; or when ownership of all or any part of a rental property is in any other manner voluntarily or involuntarily transferred or conveyed to any other person.
Section 48-203 of Omaha's Code of Ordinances establishes the foundational vocabulary for the city's rental property inspection and registration program. Key terms such as "rental dwelling," "rental property," "property owner," and "property manager" are given specific legal meanings that govern how the rest of Article II is applied. Notably, the definitions clarify that a property manager is treated as an agent who can legally bind the property owner, and that a person whose only interest in a property is as a tenant is not considered a "property owner" under this article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 48-203, the definitions set out in this section determine how Omaha's rental inspection and registration requirements apply to property owners and managers. Operators who use a property manager should be aware that, per this section, that manager is generally treated as their authorized agent in all matters under Article II unless a written limitation is filed with the code official. Owners holding title through trusts, estates, or similar arrangements should confirm that their ownership interest is properly documented with the Douglas County register of deeds or presented to the code official's satisfaction.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 48-203 makes clear that a person whose only interest in a rental property is as a tenant under a lease is explicitly excluded from the definition of "property owner" under Article II. This distinction can be relevant if questions arise about who bears responsibility for registration, inspections, or compliance obligations under Omaha's rental regulations. Tenants who have questions about how these definitions affect their rights or living conditions may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the broader provisions of Chapter 48 of the Omaha Municipal Code.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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