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Nevada building permits
Adopted codes, fees, and permit requirements for every covered Nevada city — browse by county, sourced from official records.
CountyCities
- Carson City1 city covered
- Churchill County2 cities covered
- Clark County6 cities covered
- Douglas County1 city covered
- Elko County5 cities covered
- Humboldt County2 cities covered
- Lander County1 city covered
- Lincoln County1 city covered
- Lyon County3 cities covered
- Mineral County1 city covered
- Nye County1 city covered
- Pershing County1 city covered
- Storey County1 city covered
- Washoe County3 cities covered
- White Pine County2 cities covered
Do I need a permit? — Nevada guides
- Window ReplacementUsually no — but yes if you change the size of the opening.
- FenceSometimes — many fences need only zoning/setback approval; a building permit kicks in mainly for fences over 7 feet or with structural elements.
- DeckYes — unless it's a small ground-level platform under 200 sq ft.
- Water HeaterYes — even for a like-for-like replacement.
- Basement FinishYes — any framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work requires a permit.
- Solar PanelsYes — both a building and electrical permit are required.
- Roof ReplacementYes — all roof replacements and re-roofing projects require a permit.
- Hot TubYes — at minimum an electrical permit for the 240V circuit.
- ShedUnder 200 sq ft and under 10 feet tall? Usually no. Bigger? Yes.
- Furnace ReplacementYes — even a like-for-like furnace swap requires a mechanical permit.
- EV ChargerLevel 2 (240V) chargers yes. Level 1 (120V plug-in) no.
- Patio Cover / PergolaSolid roof covers yes. Open-lattice pergolas may be exempt.
- Home BusinessYes — most cities require a home occupation permit.
- ADU / In-Law SuiteOften yes — many states now require cities to allow at least internal ADUs.
- Concrete / DrivewayOnly if it connects to the street, modifies drainage, or is a structural element.
- Commercial Tenant ImprovementAlmost always yes — a commercial tenant improvement needs a building permit, usually with electrical, mechanical, and fire permits alongside it.
- Nevada PermitsAlmost certainly — but which code applies is set by your city or county, because Nevada mandates no statewide building code edition. Under NRS 278.580(1) “the governing body of any city or county may adopt a building code, specifying the design, soundness and materials of structures, and may adopt rules, ordinances and regulations for the enforcement of the building code.” Note the permission: adopting is a power, not a duty, and the edition adopted is a local choice.
Permit types across Nevada
View all →Compare a permit type’s fees across every Nevada city we cover.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Casita) PermitAccessory Structure Permit (Shed / Detached Garage)Building Permit (Residential & Commercial Construction, Additions, Alterations)Building, Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical PermitCertificate of Business Occupancy (Change of Use / Business License)Certificate of Occupancy / Change of OccupancyCertificate of Occupancy / Change of UseChange of Occupancy PermitCombined Trade Permit (Electrical / Plumbing / Mechanical)Commercial Building PermitCommercial Tenant Improvement / Tenant Finish PermitDemolition PermitElectrical PermitEV Charger / EVSE Installation PermitFence / Retaining Wall PermitFire Alarm System PermitFire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm System Installation PermitFire Sprinkler System PermitFoundation Only PermitGrading / Excavation PermitManufactured / Mobile Home PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitOccupancy Permit / Change Of Use (Building, Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical Permit)Plumbing PermitProvisional Building Permit (Temporary/Accessory Structures)Residential Addition / Remodel PermitResidential Building Permit (New Construction)Roofing Permit (Reroof)Septic / Small Wastewater System PermitSign PermitSolar Photovoltaic (PV) PermitSwimming Pool / Spa Permit