The key to more affordable housing in Omaha could be in the pipes. City Council members are considering a handful of changes to the plumbing code that officials say will increase the flow of housing projects in the city.
Le Nguyen, superintendent of permits and inspection, presented the proposed changes at a council meeting Tuesday. On the list is a rolled-back restriction on the use of PVC pipe over cast iron. Omaha currently heavily restricts the use of PVC to single-family homes, restaurants and multifamily homes under four stories. Neighboring communities don’t have such strict requirements.
“For a school project that has the same footprint, it was cheaper to build in Gretna than it is here in Omaha,” Nguyen said. “This is a significant cost saving without compromising safety.”
The proposed codes would allow PEX, a durable pipe material, as an alternate material to copper for water service lines.
Code changes also look to address a labor shortage of plumbers in the metro. While electricians operate at a one-to-six ratio for apprenticeships, current code requirements call for one plumber to one apprentice. The city is looking to implement a one-to-two ratio.
More than two dozen plumbers and contractors spoke to the City Council about the suggested changes. About half were in support and half against the new initiatives.
Barney Barrett is co-owner of Barrett Plumbing. He said much of his business is done in Sarpy County, where plumbing codes are less restrictive compared to Omaha.
“We’ve been in business over 50 years, and I’ve seen a lot of stuff come and a lot of stuff go,” Barrett said. “We’re overdue for changes.”
Several concerns raised to council members included the durability of PCP over cast iron, safety codes and whether the projected savings would be passed on to future homeowners. Planning Director Dave Fanslau said the changes are needed, not only for affordability, but to keep Omaha competitive with other cities.
“The revisions to the plumbing code that are before you today are another way that we can help reduce the cost of housing for our citizens,” Fanslau told Council members, “and I think each and every one of us want to do that.”
The Omaha City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed changes Nov. 3. If approved, the changes will join a growing list of initiatives enacted by the mayor’s office in pursuit of more affordable housing options.
Mayor John Ewing announced Monday that Omaha is one of up to 30 cities selected for a nationwide housing initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The funding is slotted for an expansion of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.
“We also are looking at our zoning code,” Ewing said at a town hall Monday night. “So we are turning over every stone possible.”
