Lincoln · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Lincoln?
In Lincoln, a church or other place of worship is needs a conditional use permit in 5 (R-1, R-2, R-3, B-P and A-D) (Lincoln use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R-1, R-2, R-3, B-P and A-D
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Lincoln Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a church or other place of worship can go
Lincoln's code calls this use “Churches (listed with schools, parks and playgrounds)”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.12.020 |
| R-2 Duplex Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.14.020 |
| R-3 Multiple Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.16.020 |
| B-P Business and Professional District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.20.020 |
| A-D Agricultural District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.29.020 |
What else applies
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: RPD 1-5 planned development and any other district not in the packet (district chapters 18.12-18.33 only); Lists are not exclusive: every district has an 'other uses of a similar nature' clause, and no rule says unlisted uses are prohibited, so zones that do not list a use are left out, not marked 'no'.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Lincoln
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the R-1 zone in Lincoln?
Only with a conditional use permit. Lincoln's use table lists it that way in R-1 (Single-Family Residential District) (§ 18.12.020).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a church or other place of worship at an address in Lincoln
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
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