Henderson building permit requirements

City of Henderson Building and Fire Safety Department — Development Services Center

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

12 permit types702-267-3620Mon–Thu 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Fridays and holidays); permit technicians Mon–Thu 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Department information

Address: 240 S Water Street, Henderson, NV 89015 (PO Box 95050, Henderson, NV 89009-5050)
Phone: 702-267-3620
Email: COHPermits@cityofhenderson.com
Office hours: Mon–Thu 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Fridays and holidays); permit technicians Mon–Thu 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Website: Official site

Codes adopted

Nevada does not mandate a single statewide building code edition. Under NRS 278.580, the governing body of each city or county may adopt its own building code, specifying design, soundness, and materials of structures, together with rules and ordinances for enforcement — a home-rule framework in which each jurisdiction selects and amends its code independently. There is no state-mandated IBC or IRC edition. The one statewide floor is for energy: under NRS 701.220, the Governor's Office of Energy (GOE) is required to adopt the most recently published edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) on a triennial basis. Upon adoption by GOE, local governments must incorporate that edition as the minimum energy standard and may adopt higher or more stringent requirements. GOE adopted the 2024 IECC, effective August 18, 2024, pursuant to NAC 701.185. Because building code editions, local amendments, and energy code effective dates vary by jurisdiction across Nevada, always confirm the current adopted edition and any local amendments with your specific city or county before submitting plans.

2024 International Building Code (IBC) with Southern Nevada amendments — effective January 2, 20262024 International Residential Code (IRC) with Southern Nevada amendments — effective January 2, 20262024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — effective January 2, 20262024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with Southern Nevada amendments — effective January 2, 2026; Climate Zone 3B applies below 4,000 ft elevation2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with Southern Nevada amendments — effective January 2, 2026 (NOTE: UPC, not IPC)2024 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) with Southern Nevada amendments — effective January 2, 2026 (NOTE: UMC, not IMC)2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) with Southern Nevada amendments — effective January 2, 20262024 International Fire Code (IFC) — effective January 2, 20262024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) with Southern Nevada amendments — effective January 2, 20262024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) — effective January 2, 2026

Permit types

Residential Building Permit — New Construction (Custom Single-Family)

Required for all new custom single-family dwellings in the City of Henderson. Covers structural construction, framing, envelope, and all associated systems. Plan check and inspection fees follow Henderson's Table A (Building Plan Check and Inspection — New Construction Fees). All MPE (mechanical, plumbing, electrical) plan checks and inspections are included in the Table A fee.

Residential Addition / Remodel Permit

Required for additions, structural alterations, and remodels of single-family and multi-family dwellings in Henderson. Fees are based on square footage of work area per Table A. Dwelling remodel projects (non-addition interior remodels) use the Miscellaneous Table B dwelling-remodel rate.

Electrical Permit

Required for standalone electrical work in Henderson, including panel upgrades, new circuits, service changes, EV charger installations, and appliance hookups. Governed by the 2023 NEC with Southern Nevada local amendments (effective January 2, 2026). Fees per Table C — Building MPE Items.

Plumbing Permit

Required for standalone plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in Henderson, including water heater replacements, fixture additions, re-piping, gas piping, and sewer/water service line work. Governed by the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with Southern Nevada amendments. Fees per Table C — Building MPE Items.

Mechanical / HVAC Permit

Required for standalone heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work in Henderson, including furnace replacements, A/C and heat pump installations, ductwork alterations, and boiler work. Governed by the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) with Southern Nevada amendments. Fees per Table C — Building MPE Items.

Residential Reroof Permit

Required for roof replacement and re-roofing on residential properties in Henderson. Henderson's hot-dry climate (Climate Zone 3B) requires appropriate roofing materials per 2024 IRC and 2024 IECC. Henderson is predominantly below 3,900 ft elevation so ice barrier underlayment is not required. Reroof permits are assessed under the 'Repair — Commercial/Multi-Family/Single-Family' category in Henderson DSC Fee Schedule Table A, effective 10/01/2025. Henderson uses a square-footage-based fee system for all permit types — there is no separate flat reroof fee and no valuation-based fee for reroofing.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

Required for rooftop solar panel and ground-mount PV system installations on residential and commercial properties in Henderson. Henderson's solar fees are among the most detailed in Southern Nevada. Governed by the 2023 NEC with SNBO amendments. Fees per Table B — Miscellaneous Building Items.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

Required for construction of a new accessory dwelling unit on a residential property in Henderson, including detached casitas, attached additions, and garage conversions. Henderson's Development Code (Title 19) §19.9.2.D.6 sets the ADU standards: an ADU is a building/structure (including a tiny house) on the same lot as a principal dwelling — detached, attached, or built within the primary residence — intended for occupancy as separate living quarters. Maximum size is the greater of 25% of the principal dwelling's floor area or 1,000 sq ft (a tiny house is capped at 400 sq ft excluding lofts); only one ADU is allowed per lot. Nevada NRS 278.257 (effective July 1, 2026, applicable to cities with 60,000+ population including Henderson) additionally requires Henderson to authorize ADUs on single-family-zoned residential property and bars Henderson from imposing an owner-occupancy condition, prohibiting separate kitchen facilities, or requiring more than one additional parking space; local conditions more restrictive than the statute are superseded as of July 1, 2026. Building permit fees follow Henderson DSC Fee Schedule Table A (new detached ADU or attached addition) or Table B Dwelling Remodel (garage conversions), effective 10/01/2025.

Demolition Permit

Required for demolition of any structure in Henderson, including full building demolition, partial demolition, and accessory structure removal. Flat fee per Table B — Miscellaneous Building Items.

Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit

Required for interior improvements to existing commercial spaces in Henderson, including remodels, buildouts, change of occupancy, and alterations. Fees are per Table A occupancy-based rates (TI/Remodel category). Henderson's commercial TI market is large given its position as Nevada's 2nd-largest city.

Swimming Pool / Spa Permit

Required for installation of in-ground swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and water features in Henderson. Henderson's hot desert climate drives high residential pool volume. Pool/spa permits are governed by the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) with Southern Nevada amendments. Fees per Table B — Miscellaneous Building Items.

Block / Screen Wall Permit

Required for construction of masonry block walls, screen walls, and non-masonry fences in Henderson. Common for property line walls, patio enclosures, and screen walls between residential lots. Henderson's arid climate and lot sizes make masonry block the dominant fence/wall material. Fees per Table B — Miscellaneous Building Items.

Tips & gotchas

Henderson's City Hall and Development Services Center are CLOSED on Fridays — the City operates a 4-day work week (Mon–Thu). Plan accordingly for permit submissions and inspections.
Henderson adopted 2024 building codes (IBC, IRC, IEBC, IECC, UPC, UMC, NEC, IFC, ISPSC, IWUIC) effective January 2, 2026. Projects submitted before January 2, 2026 may have been processed under 2021/2018 codes.
Henderson uses the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) — NOT the International Plumbing Code (IPC) or International Mechanical Code (IMC). This is standard throughout Southern Nevada.
Henderson's DSC fee schedule was updated October 1, 2025 — the first update in 20 years. Fees increased; verify current amounts at the DSC Fees Schedule page before estimating project costs.
For new residential construction, all MPE (mechanical, plumbing, electrical) plan checks and inspections are INCLUDED in the Table A building permit fee — no separate trade permits needed.
Ice barrier underlayment is NOT required in Henderson (below 3,900 ft elevation, which is virtually the entire city).
No solid-fuel burning fireplaces are allowed in the Las Vegas Valley below 4,000 ft elevation unless EPA Phase II certified or complying with the masonry/factory-built exception in IRC Section R1007.
Henderson enforces the 2024 ISPSC — all residential pools require a safety barrier (fence/gate) permit at time of pool construction.
Block/masonry walls are the dominant fence material in Henderson — standard plan designs are available from the city, which reduces engineering costs for 0–6 ft walls.
Apply for permits via DSC Online at cityofhenderson.com — the Virtual Counter is available for qualifying permits. Submit early in the week to avoid processing delays over the long weekend.
Henderson's Building Plan Check can be reached at 702-267-3650 (bldgplancheck@cityofhenderson.com); Permitting at 702-267-3620 (cohpermits@cityofhenderson.com).
Inspections are performed Monday through Friday 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM (unlike the office which is closed Fridays — the inspection crew does work Fridays).

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.

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 Henderson building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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