La Vista rental policy OK'd by Neb Supreme Court

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that the city of La Vista's ordinance requiring landlords to obtain a rental license and submit to periodic property inspections does not violate the state's prohibition against special legislation.

Rental property owners in Omaha suburb sued after the ordinance was enacted in 2009, saying the requirement is unconstitutional because it subjects rental homes to different rules than owner-occupied homes. The landlords sought an injunction blocking the ordinance from being enforced. A Sarpy County judge ruled in favor of the city, and the landlords appealed.

On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the lower court's ruling, saying the city's regulation of rental properties is reasonably related to its goal of maintaining safe rental housing and livable neighborhoods.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.