Potential Omaha electrical code update could add hundreds of dollars to home cost

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) — The Omaha City Council is considering updated electrical codes that could add hundreds of dollars to new homes and electrical projects but supporters say the changes could save lives.

The council will vote on the ordinance December 9. If passed, the new code would require whole house surge protectors, ground-fault outlets and arc-fault breakers for new construction and electrical projects.

Local electrician Jon Nebel said the updates could cost homeowners an extra $500 per project but the safety benefits are worth it.

“It keeps us safe, it keeps anyone touching electricity or using electricity safe,” Nebel said.

Omaha’s electrical codes haven’t been updated since 2017.

“There’s better equipment and safer homes that could be built if you know about it. But if we don’t have it as these standards, then they just won’t be built unless you know to pay a little bit extra for them,” Nebel said.

City Council President Danny Begley said the requirements are safety necessities, not luxury add-ons.

“These are common sense things that we are looking to add to the city electrical codes. Because in my view, and the view of many, it’s protecting families, property, and our first responders. If there’s a fire in a house, you’d have that automatic shut off outside so that you can turn the power off so they can fight the fire,” Begley said.

Former mayor Jean Stothert vetoed the same ordinance last year, calling it an “unjustified cost” to affordable housing. Some council members share concerns about the price impact.

Councilman Don Rowe said the added costs don’t help Omaha’s affordable housing crisis.

“We’ve had some action to help with affordability, but in my mind, it’s not been to the level and moving the dial on the affordability issue,” Rowe said.

The new code would apply to new builds. Homeowners would not be required to bring their entire home up to the new code standards.

“In terms of lives and property, you can’t put a price tag on that,” Begley said.

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