Studies have shown that poorly maintained properties and boarded up homes not only reduce property values, but also lead to an increase of crime and other undesirable behaviors in a neighborhood. By reducing the number of junk cars and inadequately maintaned buildings, homeowners and tenants can enjoy improved property values and greater neighborhood pride while making their neighborhood more secure and stable. To make a complaint, call the Neighborhood Hotline at 441-6300.

More Information/Background about Quality of Life Ordinances:
www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/urban/ownerop.htm

Hobbyist Permit Applications:
www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/urban/neigqual.htm

Health Department Hazardous Vehicle Info:
www.lincoln.ne.gov/health/environ/kllcb/vehicle.htm

Unregistered vehicles, hazardous vehicles, or wrecked/junked/dismantled vehicles may be in violation of the City's Quality of Life ordinances. Whether parked on private or public property, vehicles need to be registered within 30 days of purchase. To legally restore or repair up to 2 vehicles at your home, you need to have a hobbyist permit.

A hazardous vehicle is one that meets at least one of the following conditions:

* Has junk or garbage stored in it.
* Has heavy growth of grass over 12 inches high around it.
* Is in danger of falling or turning over.
* Is a safety hazard for children.
* Is possible nesting sites for insects or rodents.
* Is a potential source of soil contamination, explosion or fire, due to leaking petroleum products or battery acid.

8.02.020 Keeping of Hazardous Vehicles Unlawful; Exceptions

(a)It shall be unlawful for any peron in charge or control of any private property within the city, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise, to allow any hazardous vehicle to remain on such property longer than fifteen days; provided, that this sectioin shall not apply to a vehicle in an enclosed building; a vehicle on the premises or a business enterprise operated in a lawful place and manner, when necessary to the lawful operation of such business enterprise; or a vehicle in an appropriate storage place or depository maintained in a lawful place and manner.

(b)It shall be unlawful for the owner of any hazardous vehicle to leave or allow said vehicle to remain on any private property within the city for more than fifteen days, except as provided in the above paragraph (a) of this section.

(c)Whenever it shall come to the knowledge of the Health Director that there exists upon private property a hazardous vehicle, said Health Director shall place a notice on the vehicle citing the violation and stating that the vehicle must be removed within fifteen days. The Director shall also issue a written notice to the property owner and to the owner of record of the vehicle citing the violation and ordering that the vehicle be removed within fifteen days from receipt of said notice. The notice shall be served either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the Health Director is unable to determine the property owner, notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation. Notice to the owner of the vehicle need not be given if the vehicle does not display a license plate or does not have an identificatioin number traceable to the owner through the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.