Are ADUs permitted citywide in Las Vegas?

No. ADUs with kitchen facilities (Class I accessory structures) are only permitted in R-A, R-E, R-D, and R-1 zoning districts, require a Special Use Permit, and require a lot larger than 6,500 sq ft. Check your parcel's zoning district before applying.

What is a 'Class I Accessory Structure' in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas Title 19.04 defines a Class I accessory structure as an accessory structure on a residential parcel that provides living quarters with full kitchen facilities — this is effectively the city's term for an ADU or guest house/casita.

Do ADU permit fees differ from new residential construction fees?

No separate ADU fee category exists. ADU building permits are assessed at the same residential construction rate (valuation/sq ft basis) as a new single-family home. Use the City of Las Vegas Permit Fee Estimator selecting 'New Construction / Residential' for your ADU square footage.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Guest House — Class I Accessory Structure) in Las Vegas, Nevada

In the City of Las Vegas, ADUs/guest houses are regulated as 'Accessory Structure (Class I)' under Title 19.04 of the Las Vegas Municipal Code. A Class I accessory structure provides full living quarters including kitchen facilities ancillary to the principal dwelling. A Special Use Permit (SUP) is required in addition to a building permit. Zoning eligibility is limited to R-A, R-E, R-D, and R-1 residential districts only. Must comply with 2024 IRC.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

Special Use Permit (SUP) required prior to building permit — file with City of Las Vegas Planning Department
Zoning district must be R-A, R-E, R-D, or R-1 — Class I accessory structures (with kitchen) are NOT permitted in R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-MH, or R-MHP districts
Lot or parcel must exceed 6,500 square feet (required by Title 19.04 Class I Special Use Permit Requirements)
Owner-occupancy of the principal dwelling is NOT a condition of renting the ADU as of July 1, 2026: NRS 278.257 (effective 2026-07-01) bars Las Vegas (population 60,000+) from prohibiting an owner from using an ADU as rental housing, superseding the prior LVMC Title 19.04 owner-occupancy-if-rented condition (the city may still prohibit transient/short-term lodging)
Building permit required for ADU construction plus separate permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
ADU floor area must not exceed 50% of the floor area of the principal dwelling unit (Title 19.08 accessory structure size limit)
ADU height: not to exceed two stories or 35 ft, whichever is less
One additional parking space required beyond the number normally required for the main dwelling
ADU must be aesthetically compatible with the principal dwelling unit
ADU must be located in rear or side yard; minimum 3 ft from side/rear property lines and 6 ft separation from main dwelling
Must comply with 2024 IRC with Southern Nevada amendments effective January 5, 2026

Required documents

Req
Special Use Permit Application
Filed with City of Las Vegas Planning Department before building permit submittal; required for Class I accessory structure (ADU with kitchen)
Req
Building Permit Application
City of Las Vegas permit application for ADU construction
Req
Site Plan
Showing ADU location on parcel, setbacks from property lines and main dwelling, parking spaces, dimensions
Req
Construction Drawings
Full plan set for ADU structure including floor plan, elevations, structural details

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
ADU building permit (Class I accessory structure — same fee schedule as new residential construction, based on square footage)	Varies — same valuation/sqft schedule as new residential construction	No ADU-specific fee category in the LV fee estimator; assessed at the same New Construction/Residential rate. Example: 800 sq ft ADU ≈ $1,200–$1,500 total building permit (Admin $55 + Plans Check + Inspection). Use City of Las Vegas Permit Fee Estimator (New Construction / Residential) for actual ADU sq ft.
Special Use Permit (Planning Department)	Varies	SUP application fee payable to the City of Las Vegas Planning Department; fee varies by application type — contact Planning at (702) 229-6301 for current SUP fee schedule
Additional fees: Sewer Connection	$3,235 per ERU — effective January 1, 2026	May apply if ADU adds a new sewer connection or increases sewer load beyond existing ERU

Review timeline

10–21 business days

Las Vegas’s published plan-review target

Inspection process

1
Foundation Inspection
Required before concrete pour
2
Framing Inspection
Required when framing complete, before insulation
3
Final Inspection
Required upon completion; Certificate of Occupancy or equivalent issued

Tips

In Las Vegas, ADUs with kitchen facilities are called 'Accessory Structure (Class I)' in the zoning code — they require a Special Use Permit (SUP) in addition to a building permit
Eligible zones for Class I (ADU with kitchen): R-A, R-E, R-D, R-1 ONLY — confirm your parcel's zoning before applying; R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-MH zones do NOT allow a full ADU with kitchen
Lot must exceed 6,500 sq ft — smaller lots do not qualify for a Class I accessory structure (ADU)
As of July 1, 2026, NRS 278.257 bars Las Vegas from requiring the principal dwelling to be owner-occupied as a condition of renting the ADU; the older Title 19.04 owner-occupancy-if-rented rule is superseded (short-term/transient lodging may still be prohibited)
ADU building permit fees are assessed at the same residential construction rate as new construction — use the city's Permit Fee Estimator for your ADU square footage
Plan review standard is 2-3 weeks (structural) per published Building & Safety timelines
Sewer connection charges ($3,235/ERU) may significantly increase total project cost for detached ADUs

Frequently asked questions

Are ADUs permitted citywide in Las Vegas?: No. ADUs with kitchen facilities (Class I accessory structures) are only permitted in R-A, R-E, R-D, and R-1 zoning districts, require a Special Use Permit, and require a lot larger than 6,500 sq ft. Check your parcel's zoning district before applying.
What is a 'Class I Accessory Structure' in Las Vegas?: Las Vegas Title 19.04 defines a Class I accessory structure as an accessory structure on a residential parcel that provides living quarters with full kitchen facilities — this is effectively the city's term for an ADU or guest house/casita.
Do ADU permit fees differ from new residential construction fees?: No separate ADU fee category exists. ADU building permits are assessed at the same residential construction rate (valuation/sq ft basis) as a new single-family home. Use the City of Las Vegas Permit Fee Estimator selecting 'New Construction / Residential' for your ADU square footage.

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

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