Can I Build an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) in Nevada?
ADU permit requirements. State law, internal vs. detached, basement apartments, and impact fee waivers.
Often yes — many states now require cities to allow at least internal ADUs.
Nevada-specific rules
Nevada's statewide accessory-dwelling-unit law, NRS 278.257 (effective July 1, 2026), requires larger jurisdictions — counties of 100,000 or more and cities of 60,000 or more — to allow at least one ADU on single-family residential lots and bars them from prohibiting the rental of an ADU. Smaller jurisdictions are not subject to the mandate; confirm local ADU rules with your city or county.
Sources: Nevada NRS 278.257 — statewide accessory dwelling units
State Law May Require It
A growing number of states have passed laws requiring cities to allow at least internal ADUs (within the existing footprint of the home — basement apartments, above-garage units, etc.). Many cities also allow detached ADUs, though rules on size and placement vary. Check whether your state has an ADU-enabling law before assuming your city can simply say no.
Types of ADUs
Internal ADUs include basement apartments, converted attic space, and attached additions. Detached ADUs include backyard cottages, converted garages, and purpose-built accessory structures. Each type has different permit requirements and setback rules.
Key Requirements
Most ADUs need: a separate entrance from the primary dwelling, adequate parking (usually one additional off-street space), fire separation (1-hour rating for internal ADUs), and compliance with all building codes for habitable space. Basement ADUs require egress windows in every bedroom.
Reduced Impact Fees
Some states limit impact fees for ADUs, making them cheaper to permit than a full second dwelling. Many cities waive or significantly reduce impact fees for ADUs. Ask your city about current fee schedules — this can save thousands of dollars.
In many states you can build an ADU thanks to state law requiring cities to allow it. Internal ADUs are the easiest path. Start by checking your state's ADU law and your city's specific ADU ordinance.
Permit fees by city in Nevada
Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.
| City | Permit fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder City | $27.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction — Custom) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction — Custom) → |
| Carlin | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel) → |
| Carson City | 1.5% of the total project value (per CCMC 15.05.020, Section 109.2); minimum $65.00Verified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) / In-Law Unit / Guest House Permit → |
| Douglas County | $1,000.00 depositVerified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit → |
| Elko | $87.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Ely | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fallon | Not published — set by City Council resolution rather than fixed in the Code of Ordinances; no valuation-based fee table was found on the City of Fallon website, in the Municode-hosted Code of Ordinances, or in reviewed City Council agenda packetsVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fernley | Based on the current ICC Building Valuation Data (BVD) tables and/or written contract value (whichever is higher), applied to the City of Fernley Building Permit Fee Schedule (BPFS)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Single- and Two-Family Dwellings) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Single- and Two-Family Dwellings) → |
| Henderson | Varies by sq ft — plan check $2,945–$4,040; inspection $796–$2,877Verified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit → |
| Lander County (including Battle Mountain) | Based on project valuation per 1997 UBC Table 1-A; no dollar-figure fee table is published on the county websiteVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Las Vegas | Varies — same valuation/sqft schedule as new residential constructionVerified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Guest House — Class I Accessory Structure) → |
| Lyon County | $42.00 building fee + $27.30 plan check = $69.30 totalVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mesquite | Same valuation table as new residential construction; see Residential Building Permit type for full tableVerified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit → |
| North Las Vegas | Varies — valuation-based per Table 3-A (same schedule as new residential construction)Verified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit → |
| Nye County (Unincorporated, incl. Pahrump) | Calculated from project valuation determined via the 2018 ICC Building Valuation Data Tables (updated each July 1), per Nye County Resolution No. 2004-29Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single- and Two-Family Dwellings) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single- and Two-Family Dwellings) → |
| Pershing County (includes Lovelock) | $67.00 per square footVerifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction — Single/Multi-Family Dwelling) | Building Permit (New Construction — Single/Multi-Family Dwelling) → |
| Reno | Varies — valuation-based using the Permit Fee Table and Building Valuation TableVerified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit → |
| Sparks | Varies — valuation-based per the Sparks tiered permit fee table (same as new residential construction)Verified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit → |
| Storey County (includes Virginia City) | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Churchill County | Not published — the cost of permits is based on the valuation of construction; no dollar-figure or valuation-based fee table was found published on the County's websiteVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Clark County | Varies — valuation-based (see Table 3-A)Verified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit → |
| Unincorporated Elko County | Valuation-based per Table 1-A: e.g., $44.00 minimum for valuation up to $1,300; scaling up to $4,955.00 for the first $1,000,000 of valuation plus $2.75 per additional $1,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (1 & 2 Family Dwelling — New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (1 & 2 Family Dwelling — New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Humboldt County | $51.75Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Lincoln County | $20.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Washoe County | Varies — valuation-based (same tiered table as new residential construction)Verified | Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit → |
| Unincorporated White Pine County | Valuation-based; no dollar-figure fee table is published on the county websiteVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| West Wendover | Example for a $200,000 valuation new single-family home: Building Permit Fee $1,553.75; Plan Check Fee $1,009.94; Water Impact Fee $3,715.58; Sewer Impact Fee $2,972.46; Total $9,251.73Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (Single-Family, Two-Family, Manufactured Home — New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (Single-Family, Two-Family, Manufactured Home — New Construction) → |
| Winnemucca | Not published as a standalone current fee schedule; fee is calculated from project valuation on the Application for Building Permit formVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Single-Family Dwelling) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Single-Family Dwelling) → |
| Yerington | Valuation-based; determined from the City of Yerington Building Valuation Data Sheets (most recent revision, maintained at the Building and Planning Department) using the 1997 Uniform Building Code Section 223 definition of 'Valuation'Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |