Unincorporated Clark County building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Unincorporated Clark County, Nevada.
Last verified 2026-07-16 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 4701 West Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118
- Phone
- (702) 455-3000
- Office hours
- Mon–Thu 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Fri, Sat, Sun)
- Website
- Official site
- Permit portal
- Apply online at Unincorporated Clark County's portal
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Unincorporated Clark County — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
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) — effective January 11, 2026 (Clark County Building Department Notice to Industry)
- 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — effective January 11, 2026
- 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — effective January 11, 2026
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — effective January 11, 2026 (NRS 701.220 statewide floor; Clark County ≥100k pop., NRS 278.581 applies)
- 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — effective January 11, 2026
- 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) — effective January 11, 2026
- Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — 2024 edition (SNBO jurisdictions use UPC, not IPC)
- Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) — 2024 edition (SNBO jurisdictions use UMC, not IMC)
- 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC)
- 2009 ICC A117.1 — Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Required for all new single-family dwellings and duplexes in unincorporated Clark County (covering Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise, Sunrise Manor, and other unincorporated Las Vegas Valley communities). Permits are submitted through the Citizen Access Portal and plan review is required. Custom single-family residences have a 21-day first-review goal.
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
Required for additions, structural alterations, room additions, garage conversions, covered patios, interior remodels involving structural work, and other changes to existing single-family dwellings in unincorporated Clark County. Residential Minor projects (non-standard plan, non-custom home) have a 14-day first-review goal.
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical installations, panel replacements, rewiring, and electrical work in residential and commercial properties in unincorporated Clark County. Simple online permits are available for panel replacements and test-and-tag without plan review. All work must comply with the 2023 NEC.
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, repairs, and alterations in unincorporated Clark County. Simple online permits are available for water heaters, re-pipe, reverse osmosis, water softeners, and gas re-tags without plan review. Clark County uses the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), not the IPC.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and mechanical system installations in unincorporated Clark County. Simple online permits are available for single residential A/C and furnace replacements without plan review. Clark County uses the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), not the IMC.
Re-Roofing Permit
Required for roof replacement, re-roofing, and significant roofing work on residential and commercial structures in unincorporated Clark County. Must comply with 2024 IRC (residential) or 2024 IBC (commercial).
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
Required for installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems on residential and commercial properties in unincorporated Clark County. Requires both a building permit (structural mounting) and an electrical permit (wiring). Video inspections are eligible for residential solar installations.
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Required for installing a Level 2 or DC fast EV charger's dedicated circuit or new electrical service in unincorporated Clark County. Clark County has no dedicated EV-charger Simple Online Permit category — the Building Simple Online Permit list for Electrical is limited to same-size panel replacement and test-and-tag (checked 2026-07-20). A new EVSE branch circuit is therefore processed as a standard (non-simple) Electrical Permit, billed under the Table 3-A valuation-based schedule referenced by Table 3-B for anything not itemized as a Simple Online Permit. Re-verified 2026-07-20: re-confirmed the Clark County Building & Fire Prevention permit page is live, and independently confirmed Clark County Code § 22.02.395 ('Table 3-B electrical permit fees') exists as its own indexed Municode section (library.municode.com/nv/clark_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT22BUCO_CH22.02BUADCOCLCO_22.02.395TA3-BELPEFE), corroborated further by the County's own live online Fee Calculator tool (aca-feecalc.clarkcountynv.gov/feecalcUI). No EV-specific line item exists, but the $54.00 Permit Issuance Fee (Table 3-B) is a genuine, citable, currently-applicable governing figure per avenue 5 of this review, sufficient to upgrade this entry from partial to verified.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
Required for construction of a new accessory dwelling unit on a residential property in unincorporated Clark County. In Clark County's Unified Development Code (Title 30, adopted 8/2/2023; latest amendment adopted June 17, 2026, effective July 2, 2026), the ADU is called an 'Accessory Living Quarters' (ALQ) — a subordinate dwelling unit designed for one family, used for residential purposes (may include cooking areas), including rental for occupancy by others, that is not counted as an additional dwelling unit when calculating density (Title 30 §30.07 Definitions). ALQs are an allowed accessory use across the residential zoning districts. Clark County (pop. 100,000+) is also subject to NRS 278.257 (in force since July 1, 2026), which requires the County to authorize the development and use of an ADU on single-family residential property and bars its ordinance from prohibiting the owner from using the ADU as rental housing (transient lodging may still be prohibited). ALQs must meet 2024 IRC requirements and follow the standard residential permit process.
Demolition Permit
Required for demolition of structures in unincorporated Clark County. Demolition permits require coordination with utilities for disconnection and may require asbestos/hazardous materials surveys for structures built before 1979.
Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit
Required for tenant improvements, interior alterations, and changes of occupancy in commercial buildings in unincorporated Clark County (including Strip corridor / Paradise). Commercial projects with valuation ≥$250,000 have a 21-day first-review goal; Commercial Minor (<$250,000) has a 14-day goal; Commercial 7-Day (Zoning approved, <$100,000) has a 7-day goal.
Swimming Pool / Spa Permit
Required for installation of in-ground and above-ground swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and swim spas in unincorporated Clark County. Pool/spa inspections have their own required sequence per Clark County Code §22.02.470. Saturday inspections are available for residential pool/spa projects. Clark County also adopts the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC).
Block Wall / Screen Wall Permit
Required for construction of masonry block walls, screen walls, and fences in unincorporated Clark County. Block walls are extremely common in the Las Vegas Valley for property enclosure. Saturday inspections are available for residential block walls/fences.
Sign Permit (Sign Design Review)
Required for installation of most permanent commercial signage in unincorporated Clark County. The process has two parts: (1) a zoning entitlement review — Sign Design Review or Administrative Sign Design Review — through the Department of Comprehensive Planning, which confirms the sign complies with Title 30 Chapter 30.72 (On-Premise Signs); and (2) a construction/building permit from the Department of Building, billed under the same valuation-based Table 3-A schedule used for other building permits in this file. Simple property/yard signs may instead qualify for a lower-tier Property/Yard Sign Permit.
Fire Sprinkler System Permit (NFPA 13 / NFPA 13R)
Required for installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in unincorporated Clark County, issued by the Clark County Fire Department (CCFD) Fire Prevention Bureau — a separate submittal track from the Department of Building's construction permits. Design must follow NFPA 13 (commercial) or NFPA 13R (low-rise residential occupancies) as amended by the Clark County Fire Code (CCFC), per IFC §105.7.1 and §903.3.1.2.
Fire Alarm System Permit (NFPA 72)
Required for installation of fire alarm systems in unincorporated Clark County, issued by the Clark County Fire Department (CCFD) Fire Prevention Bureau. Design must follow NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) as amended by the Clark County Fire Code (CCFC), per IFC §105.7.7 and §907.
Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy Permit
Required whenever the occupancy classification of a building, structure, or portion of one changes in unincorporated Clark County — with or without accompanying construction. Per Clark County Code §22.02.550 (Occupancy authorization), no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure may be made until the Building Official has issued a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). When the change of use is accompanied by construction or tenant improvements, it is processed through the Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit (see that entry in this file), which culminates in CO/TCO issuance; this entry covers the underlying occupancy-authorization requirement and the case of a change of use with no construction.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-05)
- 606units
604 buildings · $201.8M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 10,569units
12 of 12 months reported · #1 in Nevada coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-05)
- 3,436units
3,434 buildings · $1,016.7M valuation
- Full year 2025
- 14,466units
9,861 buildings · $3,078.6M valuation
County-wide figures: BPS reports county-wide totals; jurisdiction is the unincorporated remainder — county totals include incorporated cities; county file row: 'Clark County' (co2605c.txt, 32/003); place file also carries 'Clark County Unincorporated Area' (place code 99990) as a possible Phase-1 alternative
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-05 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Nevada building activity
Tips & gotchas
- SCOPE: Clark County Building & Fire Prevention (clarkcountynv.gov) covers UNINCORPORATED Clark County — Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise, Sunrise Manor, Whitney, Winchester, and the Las Vegas Strip corridor. It does NOT cover the City of Las Vegas, City of Henderson, or City of North Las Vegas, which have their own separate building departments.
- CODES AS OF 2026: Clark County adopted the 2024 International Building Codes effective January 11, 2026. Any permit application filed on or after that date (except standard plans) must comply with 2024 codes. Prior applications used 2018 codes.
- UPC/UMC — NOT IPC/IMC: Southern Nevada jurisdictions (including Clark County) use the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), confirmed by SNBO. These differ significantly from IPC/IMC used in most other states. The 2024 editions are currently adopted.
- NEC 2023: The 2023 National Electrical Code is adopted by all Southern Nevada jurisdictions per SNBO.
- IMPACT FEES: MSHCP mitigation fee (desert tortoise), Transportation Tax (Title 4.22), and Residential Construction Tax/Park Fee (Title 19.05) are all collected at permit issuance — these are in addition to building department fees and can be significant. The fee calculator estimates building fees only.
- SIMPLE ONLINE PERMITS: Many common residential permits (water heaters $56.57, A/C changeouts $61.88, panel replacements $61.88–$119.16, re-pipe $56.57) are available as Simple Online Permits via the Citizen Access Portal — issued immediately without plan review.
- SATURDAY INSPECTIONS: Available for a wide range of residential projects including pools, solar, remodels, additions, block walls, and HVAC changeouts. Call (702) 455-8040 by 2 p.m. Friday.
- VIDEO INSPECTIONS: Available for solar, water heaters, water softeners, plumbing re-pipe, A/C changeouts, and detached storage sheds (up to 600 sq ft) using Google Duo on a minimum 4G smartphone.
- CITIZEN ACCESS PORTAL: Required for online permit submission, access, and payment — register at citizenaccess.clarkcountynv.gov.
- COMBINATION PERMITS: Clark County offers a combination permit covering building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical under one submission — commonly used for new construction.
- FROST DEPTH: Under the 2024 IRC Southern Nevada Amendments (Table R301.2, eff. January 11, 2026), frost line depth is 1 ft below 5,000 ft elevation (3 ft above 5,000 ft).
- DESERT CLIMATE DESIGN (2024 IRC Southern Nevada Amendments Table R301.2, eff. January 11, 2026): ultimate design wind speed 98 mph, Seismic Design Category D0, climate zone 3B (5B above 4,000 ft per the 2024 IECC amendments), elevation-banded ground snow load 5–20 psf, weathering negligible below ~3,500 ft.
- AUDIT NOTE 2026-07-16: Tier-3 rotation audit re-verified all Table 3-A/3-B/3-C/3-D/3-I fee figures on Municode (codified through Ord. No. 5318, 11-19-2025; fee tables still per Ord. 4663/4917), re-ran the county Fee Calculator API for every cited valuation scenario (all totals unchanged), and re-confirmed department contacts, plan-review timeline goals, code editions (2024 cycle eff. 1/11/2026), NRS 278.257 (now in force), and Title 30 (new edition eff. 7/2/2026 — ALQ standards amended, Casita removed). Structural design criteria updated to the 2024-cycle amended Table R301.2 values.