On February 4, 2026, two accessory dwelling unit (ADU) conditional use permits were approved on the Omaha Planning Board's consent agenda — 6-0, zero opposition, no discussion. Byron Langenfeld received approval for an ADU at 18521 Locust Street in the R4 district. Cassandra Shea received approval for an ADU at 2242 South 84th Street in the R2 district. The quiet, routine nature of these approvals is itself the story. ADUs are becoming normal in Omaha.
Two ADU conditional use permits passed on consent with no opposition. In March 2024, Omaha's city council unanimously approved a major zoning update legalizing ADUs citywide — either by-right or via conditional use permit. Nebraska's LB 866 also encourages municipalities to allow diverse housing types including ADUs. According to Platte and Pine's Omaha ADU guide, the region needs approximately 30,000 additional housing units by 2030, and ADUs are part of the solution.
An accessory dwelling unit is a small, independent living space built on the same property as a primary home — whether that's a detached backyard cottage, a garage conversion, a basement apartment, or an addition that creates a self-contained second residence. According to the AARP's ABCs of ADUs, 86% of homeowners build ADUs to house a loved one or caregiver, 82% for guest space, 69% to increase property value, and 63% to generate rental income. For Omaha homeowners who locked in historically low mortgage rates before 2022, building an ADU lets you add living space and income potential without giving up that rate by moving. The math is compelling: Omaha was ranked the 7th most competitive rental market in the United States in 2024, with each vacant unit attracting an average of 13 applicants.
If you already have a walkout basement, you may be closer to an ADU than you think. A properly designed basement finishing project in Omaha can incorporate a separate entrance, kitchenette, bathroom, and living space that meets ADU requirements. Similarly, a home addition can be designed from the start as a connected but independent living space. Davis Contracting's design-build approach means we handle the design, permitting, and construction under one roof — which is particularly important for ADUs where zoning compliance, building codes, and utility connections all need to be coordinated. Whether you're in Elkhorn, Papillion, Bellevue, or anywhere across the Omaha metro, understanding the ADU landscape is worth your time.
Cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, and Washington DC have already demonstrated what happens when ADU regulations are relaxed: construction explodes. Seattle permitted over 1,000 ADUs annually after loosening regulations in 2019. Los Angeles saw ADUs account for more than 25% of all new housing units by 2021. Omaha is earlier in that curve, but the trajectory is clear. With the zoning update in place and permits moving through consent agendas with zero opposition, the infrastructure for ADU growth is set. For more on how to compare walkout versus standard basement finishing costs or explore home addition costs in Omaha for 2026, Davis Contracting has the local expertise to guide you through it.
