Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Mesquite, Nevada
Required for construction of a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Mesquite. Mesquite has its own ADU program in the Unified Development Ordinance (Mesquite Municipal Code Title 9, §9-7Y-4 Accessory Dwelling Units, adopted by Ord. B24-004 eff. 8/15/2024). An ADU is a habitable secondary dwelling unit added to, created within, or detached from a single-family dwelling on the same lot, including its own kitchen/cooking facilities, subordinate to the primary dwelling. Key local standards: maximum 1,000 sq ft of habitable area OR 60% of the primary unit's habitable area (whichever is less); only one ADU per parcel; an owner-occupancy affidavit is required (either the primary or the ADU must be owner-occupied); and one additional off-street parking space is required. Mesquite (population under 60,000) is NOT subject to the NRS 278.257 statewide ADU mandate, so these local rules — including the owner-occupancy requirement — govern. A 'casita' (a room/suite without separate cooking facilities) is regulated as an accessory building under §9-7Y-2.J, not as an ADU. ADUs use the Residential/Dwelling Building permit type.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Mesquite allows an ADU under MMC Title 9 §9-7Y-4 (Unified Development Ordinance, Ord. B24-004 eff. 8/15/2024); the ADU must be a permanent structure
- Maximum one ADU per parcel (§9-7Y-4.3)
- Floor area: maximum 1,000 sq ft of habitable area, or 60% of the primary unit's habitable area, whichever is less (§9-7Y-4.6)
- An owner-occupancy affidavit must be recorded — either the primary or the accessory dwelling unit must be owner-occupied (§9-7Y-4.4); NRS 278.257 does not apply to Mesquite (pop. <60,000), so this requirement is not superseded
- Setbacks, development standards, and off-street parking follow the applicable zoning district; building separation 10 ft (3 ft from property lines if a public utility easement is released) (§9-7Y-4.7–9)
- Maximum height 35 ft (14 ft within 6 ft of a property line), not to exceed the primary structure's height; an ADU may be placed on the upper floors of an existing residence (§9-7Y-4.10)
- One additional off-street parking space beyond that required for the principal dwelling (§9-7Y-4.12)
- Water and sewer served by the existing primary residence connection/meter — the meter may not be upsized to serve the ADU (§9-7Y-4.13)
- Design/materials must match the principal dwelling (siding, roofing, colors, window style) and maintain the single-family character of the lot/neighborhood (§9-7Y-4.11, .18)
- ADU may not be sold separately from the property or converted to condominium ownership; ADUs are prohibited in manufactured housing, mobile home, and non-residential zones (§9-7Y-4.15, .17)
- A tiny home used as an ADU must be on a permanent foundation, receive a certificate of occupancy, and be classified as an ADU on the building permit (§9-7Y-4.2)
- Comply with 2024 IRC and 2024 IECC
- Soils report and pad certification required (same as new construction)
- Submittal Fee ($75 BSF) applies
Required documents
- Req
Residential Dwelling Permit Application
City of Mesquite permit application; available at mesquite.onlinegovt.com
- Req
Construction Drawings
Full set of construction drawings for the ADU
- Req
Soils Report
Required per Mesquite local amendment §302.3.1
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based per Table 3-A | Same valuation table as new residential construction; see Residential Building Permit type for full table | Mesquite City Code §7-1-3, Table 3-A |
| Residential/Dwelling Building Submittal Fee (BSF) | $75.00 (non-offset) | Mesquite City Code §7-1-3, Item 8 |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of building permit fee | Mesquite City Code §7-1-3, Item 9 |
| Administrative Fee | 10% of building permit fee | Mesquite City Code §7-1-3, Item 10 |
Review timeline
~5–30 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Mesquite building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation
Footings and foundation before concrete pour
- 2
Framing / Rough-In
Structural framing and all trade rough-ins before insulation or wall cover
- 3
Final
All work complete, smoke/CO detectors, address posted, ready for occupancy
Tips
- Mesquite adopted a dedicated ADU program in 2024 (MMC §9-7Y-4): an ADU is capped at the lesser of 1,000 sq ft of habitable area or 60% of the primary dwelling's habitable area, and only one ADU is allowed per parcel.
- Unlike the larger Nevada cities, Mesquite (pop. <60,000) is NOT covered by the NRS 278.257 mandate, so Mesquite's owner-occupancy affidavit requirement (either the primary or the ADU must be owner-occupied) remains in force.
- A structure without its own kitchen is a 'casita' (regulated as an accessory building under §9-7Y-2.J), not an ADU — adding cooking facilities makes it an ADU subject to §9-7Y-4.
- Water and sewer must run off the existing primary residence's connection and meter; the meter cannot be upsized for the ADU.
- Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are required separately.
- Confirm ADU zoning eligibility with the Mesquite Planning and Zoning Division at (702) 346-2835 before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- Are ADUs allowed in Mesquite?
- Yes. Mesquite's Unified Development Ordinance (MMC Title 9, §9-7Y-4, adopted 2024) expressly allows accessory dwelling units. An ADU is capped at the lesser of 1,000 sq ft of habitable area or 60% of the primary dwelling's habitable area, only one is allowed per parcel, a recorded owner-occupancy affidavit is required (the primary or the ADU must be owner-occupied), and one additional off-street parking space is required. Because Mesquite's population is under 60,000, the NRS 278.257 statewide ADU mandate does not apply, so these local rules govern. Confirm zoning eligibility with the Mesquite Planning and Zoning Division at (702) 346-2835.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Mesquite Building Division (Development Services) — official building department
- Mesquite Municipal Code §9-7Y-4 — Accessory Dwelling Units (Unified Development Ordinance, Ord. B24-004 eff. 8/15/2024), American Legal
- Mesquite Municipal Code §9-2 — Definitions (Accessory Dwelling Unit, Casita, Guest House)
- Mesquite Residential Building Permit Information
- Mesquite City Code §7-1-3 — Building Permit Fee Schedule
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 Mesquite building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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