Omaha City Council Passes Plumbing Code Changes to Boost Affordable Housing

Omaha City Council approves plumbing code updates to lower housing costs

The Omaha City Council passed several changes to the city’s plumbing code on Tuesday, a move officials say is intended to increase the flow of housing projects across the metro area.

According to reporting from Nebraska Public Media, the new regulations aim to reduce construction expenses by loosening long-standing restrictions on building materials. These changes are designed to make both large-scale developments and individual residential dwellings more affordable to build.

The updates, which are scheduled to take effect in 2028, target specific material restrictions and labor shortages that have historically impacted local development costs.

Omaha debates plumbing code changes that could expand PVC pipe use

Rolling back restrictions on PVC and PEX pipe use

One of the primary shifts involves rolling back restrictions on the use of PVC pipe. Currently, Omaha heavily limits PVC use to single-family homes, restaurants, and multifamily buildings that are under four stories tall. As The Reader reported, neighboring communities do not maintain such strict requirements, which can put Omaha at a competitive disadvantage.

The new code will also permit the use of PEX, a durable pipe material, as an alternative to copper for water service lines. These material shifts are expected to provide immediate financial relief to developers and builders.

Omaha City Council Passes Plumbing Code Changes to Boost Affordable Housing — Photo: thereader.com

Le Nguyen, the superintendent of permits and inspection, presented the proposed changes during a council meeting last month to illustrate the economic impact. She noted that the current restrictions often drive projects toward neighboring jurisdictions.

“For a school project that has the same footprint, it was cheaper to build in Gretna than it is here in Omaha,” Nguyen said. “This is a significant cost saving without compromising safety.”

Planning Director Dave Fanslau echoed this sentiment when speaking to council members, stating that the revisions are a necessary tool to help reduce housing costs for citizens and keep Omaha competitive with other cities.

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Addressing the plumbing labor shortage

Beyond the cost of physical materials, the council is tackling a growing shortage of skilled plumbers in the metropolitan area. The current code requires a strict one-to-one ratio of plumbers to apprentices.

By comparison, electricians in the region operate under a much more flexible one-to-six apprenticeship ratio. The city is looking to implement a one-to-two ratio to help expand the local workforce and streamline training.

Public hearing on plumbing code changes

The proposal has not been without debate. During a meeting in late October, more than two dozen plumbers and contractors voiced their opinions to the City Council. The feedback was split, with roughly half of the speakers supporting the initiatives and the other half opposing them.

Some contractors expressed concerns regarding the long-term durability of PVC compared to traditional cast iron. Others questioned whether the projected savings would actually be passed down to future homeowners or if they would simply stay with the developers.

The Plumbing Debate Dividing Omaha

Barney Barrett, co-owner of Barrett Plumbing, noted that much of his business is currently conducted in Sarpy County because the plumbing codes there are less restrictive than Omaha’s. The Reader reported his perspective on the necessity of the shift.

“We’ve been in business over 50 years, and I’ve seen a lot of stuff come and a lot of stuff go,” Barrett said. “We’re overdue for changes.”

A broader push for affordability

These plumbing code adjustments represent one piece of a larger strategy to address the city’s housing supply. Mayor John Ewing recently announced that Omaha has been selected as one of 30 cities for a nationwide housing initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. This funding is intended to help expand accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.

The mayor has indicated that the city is looking at multiple regulatory fronts to solve the affordability crisis, including potential changes to the zoning code.

The approved plumbing changes will join a growing list of municipal efforts to lower the barriers to entry for new residents and developers alike.