Block / Screen Wall Permit in Carson City, Nevada
Required for construction of masonry block walls, screen walls, and retaining walls on residential and commercial properties in Carson City. Governed by the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted by CCMC 15.05.020. Seismic Design Category E applies — all masonry walls must be designed for seismic loads.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Fences and walls over 6 feet high require a permit (over 6 feet requires engineering), per Carson City 'Work Exempt from Permit' handout
- Retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) require a permit; walls 4 feet or under that support a surcharge or impound Class I, II, or III-A liquids also require a permit
- All fences and walls must satisfy the International Building Code and International Fire Code as currently adopted by Carson City (CCMC Title 18 Appendix C, Development Standards, Section 1.13)
- Height of a fence, wall or hedge is measured from the highest adjacent ground (natural or filled)
- Submit via online portal with structural plans (masonry walls in Seismic Design Category E require engineering)
- Plans must show wall location, height, dimensions, footing design, and reinforcing steel
- Seismic Design Category E: structural engineering required for masonry walls
Required documents
- Req
Building Permit Application
Carson City Building Division application
- Req
Site Plan
Showing proposed wall location, setbacks from property lines, and proximity to structures
- Req
Structural Plans and Calculations
Engineer-stamped plans and calculations for masonry walls, especially given Seismic Design Category E
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Block / Screen Wall Permit Fee | Varies — valuation-based (1.5% of value, $65 min) | Carson City has no separate block/screen-wall fee. Walls are assessed under the single Building Division Permit Fee Schedule: 1.5% of total project value (residential; 1% non-residential) per CCMC 15.05.020 Section 109, $65.00 minimum permit fee. Small residential screen/garden walls are typically at or near the $65 minimum; larger retaining walls with engineering are valued on materials and labor. |
| Reinspection Fee | $65.00 per hour (minimum 1 hour) | — |
Review timeline
~5–15 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Carson City building department
Inspection process
- 1
Footing / Foundation
Before concrete pour — verify reinforcing steel, footing depth (below frost line, 24 inches minimum), and seismic anchorage
- 2
Final
Wall complete, masonry units and mortar verified, drainage provided
Tips
- Permit thresholds (Carson City 'Work Exempt from Permit' handout): fences/walls up to 6 feet high are exempt — over 6 feet requires a permit and engineering; retaining walls up to 4 feet (footing bottom to wall top) are exempt unless they support a surcharge or impound Class I/II/III-A liquids.
- Zoning height limits (CCMC Title 18 Appendix C, Section 1.13): a fence, wall or hedge up to 6 feet is permitted in any yard, EXCEPT in a front-yard setback or within 5 feet of a street-side property line, where the limit is 4 feet (3 feet if sight-obscuring material); within a sight-distance area the limit is 3 feet. Height is measured from the highest adjacent ground (natural or filled).
- Split-rail fences up to 5 feet are allowed along the front/street-side line in MH1A, SF5A, SF2A and SF1A districts; barbed fences are a permitted accessory use in CR, A, MH1A, SF5A, SF2A and SF1A (elsewhere only with the Director's prior written approval).
- Carson City's Seismic Design Category E requires that masonry walls (block walls, retaining walls) be designed by a structural engineer to resist seismic loads.
- Frost line depth is 24 inches — wall footings must extend below this depth.
- Ground snow load is 30 PSF — retaining walls adjacent to areas with heavy snow accumulation should account for lateral snow/ice loads.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to build a block or retaining wall in Carson City?
- A fence or wall over 6 feet high requires a permit and engineering. A retaining wall requires a permit if it is over 4 feet (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall), or 4 feet and under if it supports a surcharge or impounds Class I/II/III-A liquids. Due to Carson City's Seismic Design Category E, masonry walls require engineer-stamped plans. (Carson City 'Work Exempt from Permit' handout; CCMC 15.05.020.)
- How tall can a fence or wall be in Carson City?
- Up to 6 feet in any yard, except in a front-yard setback or within 5 feet of a street-side property line, where the limit is 4 feet (or 3 feet if built of sight-obscuring material); within a sight-distance area the limit is 3 feet. Height is measured from the highest adjacent ground. (CCMC Title 18 Appendix C, Development Standards, Section 1.13, Ord. 2024-7.)
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- Carson City Building Division — Community and Economic Development — official building department
- Plan Submittal Information | Carson City Building Division
- CCMC 15.05.020 — Adopted Codes and Fees — Municode
- Adopted Codes and Design Criteria (including Seismic Category E)
- Carson City 'Work Exempt from Permit' handout (fence >6 ft / retaining wall >4 ft permit thresholds)
- CCMC Title 18 Appendix C, Development Standards, Section 1.13 — Fences, walls and hedges (height limits; Ord. 2024-7) — Municode
- Carson City Permit Fee Schedule (single Building Division fee schedule; no separate wall fee)
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Carson City building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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