Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Unincorporated Clark County, Nevada
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, eff. 07/31/2025), the ADU is called an 'Accessory Living Quarters' (ALQ) — a subordinate dwelling unit for one family, used for residential purposes (may include cooking areas), rentable to 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 (eff. July 1, 2026), which requires the County to authorize ADUs on single-family residential property and bars any local ordinance from preventing the owner from using the ADU as long-term rental housing (transient/short-term lodging may still be prohibited); local conditions more restrictive than that statute are superseded as of July 1, 2026. ALQs must meet 2024 IRC requirements and follow the standard residential permit process.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- An Accessory Living Quarters (ALQ) must be in conjunction with a single-family residence, and no more than one ALQ is allowed per lot or parcel (Title 30 §30.03, Accessory Living Quarters use-specific standards)
- ALQ is not allowed on a lot below the zoning district's minimum area (unless the lot was reduced by a PUD), and never within a manufactured/tiny-home park or on a lot smaller than 4,000 sq ft — this standard may not be waived or varied
- Size cap: on a lot under 10,000 sq ft, the ALQ may not exceed 75% of the habitable gross floor area of the primary dwelling (may not be waived/varied); on a lot 10,000 sq ft or larger (or in the Nonurban Area), the ALQ may not exceed the gross floor area of the primary dwelling
- ALQ must have a similar roof line and complementary colors and building materials to the primary dwelling; a recreational vehicle may not be used as an ALQ
- Detached ALQs require a new residential building permit; attached or internal (garage) conversions follow the addition/remodel permit process
- Separate trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are required
- Plans must comply with 2024 IRC and 2024 IECC
- Clark County also recognizes a 'Casita' (a separate structure on a lot with a dwelling, used for residential purposes but WITHOUT a kitchen — Title 30 §30.07); a structure with cooking facilities is an ALQ, not a casita
- Per NRS 278.257 (eff. July 1, 2026), the County may not require owner-occupancy as a condition of approval or bar long-term rental of the ADU; any Title 30 condition more restrictive than the statute is superseded as of that date
Required documents
- Req
Building Permit Application
Available via Citizen Access Portal or Application Forms page
- Req
Construction Drawings
Full plan set for detached ADU or detailed drawings for attached/converted ADU
- Req
Site Plan
Showing location of ADU relative to main dwelling, setbacks, and utility connections
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based per Table 3-A | Varies — valuation-based (see Table 3-A) | Same Table 3-A valuation-based schedule as new construction. Trade sub-permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are additional fees. Example: $150,000 detached ADU total estimated permit + plan review = $1,619.65 (all trades combined, per fee calculator). |
| Re-inspection Fee | $110.00 each | Table 3-I, Clark County Code §22.02.430 |
Review timeline
~14–21 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Clark County building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation
Footings and foundation before concrete pour
- 2
Framing
Structural framing, egress, and fire separation
- 3
MEP Rough-In
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-ins before walls closed
- 4
Final
All work complete, smoke/CO detectors installed, address posted
Tips
- Clark County's Unified Development Code (Title 30) calls an ADU an 'Accessory Living Quarters' (ALQ). The size cap is tied to the primary dwelling: 75% of the primary's habitable floor area on lots under 10,000 sq ft, or up to the full floor area of the primary on lots 10,000 sq ft and larger.
- An ALQ may not be built on a lot smaller than 4,000 sq ft, and only one ALQ is allowed per lot — these limits cannot be waived or varied.
- If the structure has no kitchen it is a 'Casita' (an accessory residential structure without cooking facilities), which is regulated differently than an ALQ; adding cooking facilities makes it an ALQ.
- Verify ADU/ALQ zoning eligibility with Clark County Comprehensive Planning at (702) 455-4314 before submitting a permit application.
- Garage conversions require that all existing electrical, plumbing, and mechanical be brought up to current 2024 code.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I build an ADU in unincorporated Clark County?
- Yes. Clark County's Unified Development Code (Title 30) allows an 'Accessory Living Quarters' (ALQ) — its term for an ADU — as an accessory use in residential zoning districts. The ALQ must accompany a single-family residence, only one is allowed per lot, the lot must be at least 4,000 sq ft, and the ALQ is capped at 75% of the primary dwelling's habitable floor area on lots under 10,000 sq ft (or up to the full primary floor area on larger lots). Separately, NRS 278.257 (effective July 1, 2026) requires the County to authorize ADUs on single-family lots and bars it from requiring owner-occupancy or prohibiting long-term rental. Confirm zoning with Clark County Comprehensive Planning at (702) 455-4314.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- Clark County Building & Fire Prevention Department — official building department
- Clark County Building & Fire Prevention — Plan Submittal
- Clark County Title 30 Unified Development Code (eff. 07/31/2025) — §30.03 Accessory Living Quarters use-specific standards and §30.07 Definitions (Accessory Living Quarters, Casita)
- Clark County Code §22.02.390 — Table 3-A Permit Fees (Municode)
- NRS 278.257 — Statewide ADU mandate (eff. July 1, 2026): counties ≥100,000 pop. must authorize ADUs; no owner-occupancy bar; no prohibition on long-term rental
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 Unincorporated Clark County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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