Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Henderson, Nevada

Henderson requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: ADU maximum size: no more than 25% of the principal dwelling's floor area OR 1,000 sq ft, whichever is greater; a tiny house may be no larger than 400 sq ft (excluding lofts); an attached garage is not counted toward ADU size (Henderson Development Code §19.9.4.B.6.b.ii); No more than one ADU per lot (§19.9.4.B.6.b.iii); ADUs do not count toward maximum residential density (§19.9.4.B.6.b.iv); Setbacks: front and corner-side setbacks must match the principal dwelling; for a detached ADU 14 ft or less in height the side/rear setback is 5 ft; an ADU taller than 14 ft must meet the principal dwelling's setbacks; a detached ADU must be at least 6 ft from other buildings or be connected to the principal structure by a roof at least 10 ft wide (§19.9.4.B.6.b.i); Design: the ADU must be aesthetically compatible with the principal structure (materials, colors, building mass); if in a front or corner-side yard the design must match the principal structure; a rear-yard tiny house is exempt and must sit on a permanent foundation (§19.9.4.B.6.b.v); An ADU may not be sold apart from the principal dwelling on the same lot (§19.9.4.B.6.b.vi); ADU must meet all applicable building codes including 2024 IRC with Southern Nevada amendments; a manufactured ADU built to ANSI 119.5 must also comply with the adopted IRC (§19.9.4.B.6.b.vii); Per NRS 278.257 (eff. July 1, 2026): Henderson may not, as a condition of ADU approval, prohibit separate kitchen facilities, require more than one additional parking space where existing + street parking satisfies anticipated need, impose setbacks more restrictive than the primary residence, or (absent narrow exceptions) require public street improvements, and may not prohibit long-term rental use of the ADU (though transient/short-term lodging may still be prohibited) — these supersede any more-restrictive Title 19 condition as of that date. The statute contains no owner-occupancy provision; Apply via DSC Online or in person at 240 S Water St. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Henderson Building and Fire Safety Department — Development Services Center at 702-267-3620 before starting work.

In Henderson, the published ADU — New Detached (Custom Single-Family schedule, Table A) is: Varies by sq ft — plan check $2,945–$4,040; inspection $796–$2,877. Additional published fees: ADU — Attached Addition (Single-Family Residential — Addition, Table A) — Varies by sq ft — plan check $1,398–$1,761; inspection $389–$1,943; ADU — Garage Conversion (Dwelling Remodel, Table B) — $817 first 200 sf, plus $211 per additional 100 sf. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit in Henderson typically runs 10–30 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Henderson Building and Fire Safety Department — Development Services Center at 702-267-3620.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Construction Drawings; Energy Code Compliance. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Henderson requires 4 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Foundation, Framing, MEP Rough-In, Final. Schedule each through City of Henderson Building and Fire Safety Department — Development Services Center (702-267-3620).

Apply through City of Henderson Building and Fire Safety Department — Development Services Center at 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. Official information: https://www.cityofhenderson.com/government/departments/building-and-fire-safety.

Yes. Henderson Development Code §19.9.4.B.6 allows an accessory dwelling unit — detached, attached, or within the primary residence — on a lot with a principal dwelling. The ADU may be no larger than 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), only one is allowed per lot, and a detached ADU 14 ft or less in height has a 5 ft side/rear setback. Separately, NRS 278.257 (effective July 1, 2026) requires Henderson to authorize ADUs on single-family lots and bars Henderson from prohibiting separate kitchen facilities, requiring more than one additional parking space where existing plus street parking is adequate, or imposing stricter setbacks, as a condition of approval; any Title 19 condition more restrictive than the statute is superseded as of that date. Neither the statute nor Title 19 requires the owner to occupy the property.

No. Henderson's ADU standards (Development Code §19.9.4.B.6) do not require the property owner to live on site, and this is not something Nevada NRS 278.257 addresses — the statute (effective July 1, 2026) contains no owner-occupancy provision. What NRS 278.257(2)(e) actually does is bar Henderson from prohibiting long-term rental use of an ADU as a condition of approval; the City may still prohibit its use as transient/short-term lodging.