Do I Need a Permit to Replace Windows in Nevada?
Find out when you need a permit to replace windows. Like-for-like vs. resized openings, energy code requirements, and inspection tips.
Usually no — but yes if you change the size of the opening.
Nevada-specific rules
Nevada does not mandate a statewide building code edition — under NRS 278.580 each city or county adopts and amends its own (confirm your jurisdiction's). The one statewide floor is energy: the Governor's Office of Energy adopted the 2024 IECC (NAC 701.185, effective August 18, 2024) as the minimum energy standard; local governments must incorporate it and may adopt more stringent requirements.
Sources: Nevada NRS 701.220 — statewide energy code (2024 IECC via GOE)
When You Don't Need a Permit
Like-for-like window replacements — where the new window fits the exact same rough opening — typically do not require a building permit. This covers most standard window replacements where you are upgrading the glass, frame material, or energy efficiency without altering the wall structure.
When You Do Need a Permit
A permit is required when you change the size of a window opening (larger or smaller), add a new window where one didn't exist, convert a window to a door or vice versa, or install egress windows for basement bedrooms. These changes involve structural modifications (headers, jack studs) that must be inspected.
Energy Code Requirements
Replacement windows generally must meet the locally adopted energy code — most jurisdictions follow the IECC. Check the NFRC label on any window before purchasing and confirm your local edition's window U-factor requirement. This applies even when no permit is required — it's a code requirement.
Egress Windows
If you're adding a bedroom in a basement, most jurisdictions require an egress window with a minimum 5.7 sq ft net clear opening and a sill no higher than 44 inches above the floor (the IRC standard). Window wells deeper than 44 inches need a permanently attached ladder or steps. This always requires a permit.
Swapping windows in the same opening? No permit needed. Changing the opening size or adding egress windows? Get a permit.
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, $65.00 minimum (per CCMC 15.05.020, Section 109.2)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Douglas County | $1,000.00 depositVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| 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 | $2,945Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit — New Construction (Custom Single-Family) | Residential Building Permit — New Construction (Custom Single-Family) → |
| 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 | $1,488 total (Admin: $55 + Plans Check: $500 + Inspection: $933)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit — New Construction (Custom Single-Family) | Residential Building Permit — New Construction (Custom Single-Family) → |
| Lyon County | $42.00 building fee + $27.30 plan check = $69.30 totalVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mesquite | $36.72Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| North Las Vegas | Varies — valuation-based per Table 3-AVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit — New Construction (Single-Family) | Residential Building Permit — New Construction (Single-Family) → |
| 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 | $45.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Sparks | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| 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)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| 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 | $45.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| 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) → |