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Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit in Fernley, Nevada

Fernley does not have a standalone 'change of use' application. A change of use or occupancy classification for an existing commercial building or tenant space is filed on the same Building Permit Application-Commercial used for new construction, remodels, and tenant improvements, by checking 'Change Of Use' as the project type and stating the Previous Occupancy and Proposed Occupancy classifications. It is reviewed against the City's adopted 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — whose Chapter 10 governs Change of Occupancy — alongside the standard IBC occupancy/construction-type requirements.

Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Building Permit Application-Commercial (REV 05/2023 or later) used for a change of use, with the 'Change Of Use' box checked among the project-type options (alongside New Construction, Site Improvements, Remodel/Addition, Demolition, HVAC-Rooftop, New Tenant)
  • Application requires stating the Building Code Year and Edition, Previous Occupancy, and Proposed Occupancy classification, plus Occupancy Classification and Use, Type of Construction, and square footage for each use/occupancy on the project
  • Governed by the City's adopted 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), Fernley Municipal Code Sec. 8.02.01, which contains the Change of Occupancy provisions (IEBC Chapter 10) applicable when a building's occupancy classification changes
  • Commercial Plan Submittal Checklist requirements apply if the change of use is accompanied by any construction, alteration, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work (e.g., a detailed code analysis, floor plan showing occupancy loads/egress, and a Fire Authorization Form)
  • Existing/Proposed Fire Sprinkler System and Existing/Proposed Fire Alarm System fields on the Commercial application must be answered; adding or altering fire protection systems as part of the occupancy change requires a separate permit from the North Lyon County Fire Protection District (see the fire-sprinkler-alarm-permit entry)
  • A change in occupancy, operation, tenancy, contractor of record, or ownership under an existing permit requires that a new permit be issued — an existing permit is not transferable to a new use

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee — based on ICC BVD valuation tables and/or contract value (whichever is higher), applied to the City's Building Permit Fee ScheduleCity of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit A; applies only if the change of use is accompanied by construction/tenant-improvement work
Per City of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit A / current BPFS
Plan Review FeeCity of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit A
Additional 65% of the determined Building Permit Fee
Building Permit Plan Check - PlanningCity of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit B, Planning Fees
40% of Permit Fee
Temporary Certificate of OccupancyCity of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit A
$200
Zoning Verification Letter (optional)City of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit B, Planning Fees; confirms a proposed use is allowed in the zoning district independent of a full permit application
$150
Permit Processing Fee (applies to new construction, additions, repairs & TI's)City of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit A; applies if the change of use is accompanied by construction/TI work
$25

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit permit actually take in Fernley?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Final / Certificate of Occupancy

    Completed work (if any) and life-safety/egress/occupancy-load compliance for the new use verified against IEBC Chapter 10 and adopted IBC occupancy requirements; Building & Safety Division issues final approval and, if required, a Certificate of Occupancy

See the full Fernley inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Fernley has no dedicated 'change of use' form — file the standard Building Permit Application-Commercial and check 'Change Of Use' as the project type, stating the Previous and Proposed Occupancy.
  • If your change of use adds or alters a fire sprinkler or fire alarm system, budget separately for a North Lyon County Fire Protection District permit — see the fire-sprinkler-alarm-permit entry.
  • A Zoning Verification Letter ($150) can confirm a proposed use is allowed in your zoning district before you commit to a full commercial permit application.

Frequently asked questions

Fernley requires a change of use / change of occupancy permit for: Building Permit Application-Commercial (REV 05/2023 or later) used for a change of use, with the 'Change Of Use' box checked among the project-type options (alongside New Construction, Site Improvements, Remodel/Addition, Demolition, HVAC-Rooftop, New Tenant); Application requires stating the Building Code Year and Edition, Previous Occupancy, and Proposed Occupancy classification, plus Occupancy Classification and Use, Type of Construction, and square footage for each use/occupancy on the project; Governed by the City's adopted 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), Fernley Municipal Code Sec. 8.02.01, which contains the Change of Occupancy provisions (IEBC Chapter 10) applicable when a building's occupancy classification changes; Commercial Plan Submittal Checklist requirements apply if the change of use is accompanied by any construction, alteration, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work (e.g., a detailed code analysis, floor plan showing occupancy loads/egress, and a Fire Authorization Form); Existing/Proposed Fire Sprinkler System and Existing/Proposed Fire Alarm System fields on the Commercial application must be answered; adding or altering fire protection systems as part of the occupancy change requires a separate permit from the North Lyon County Fire Protection District (see the fire-sprinkler-alarm-permit entry); A change in occupancy, operation, tenancy, contractor of record, or ownership under an existing permit requires that a new permit be issued — an existing permit is not transferable to a new use. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Fernley Building Division (Building & Safety Division) at (775) 784-9900 before starting work.

In Fernley, the published Building Permit Fee — based on ICC BVD valuation tables and/or contract value (whichever is higher), applied to the City's Building Permit Fee Schedule is: Per City of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit A / current BPFS. Additional published fees: Plan Review Fee — Additional 65% of the determined Building Permit Fee; Building Permit Plan Check - Planning — 40% of Permit Fee; Temporary Certificate of Occupancy — $200; Zoning Verification Letter (optional) — $150; Permit Processing Fee (applies to new construction, additions, repairs & TI's) — $25. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Fernley does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Fernley Building Division (Building & Safety Division) at (775) 784-9900 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Building Permit Application - Commercial. Depending on your project, Fernley may also ask for: Commercial Plan Submittal Checklist; Fire Authorization Form. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Fernley requires 1 inspection(s) for a change of use / change of occupancy permit, in order: Final / Certificate of Occupancy. Schedule each through City of Fernley Building Division (Building & Safety Division) ((775) 784-9900).

Apply through City of Fernley Building Division (Building & Safety Division) at 595 Silver Lace Blvd, Fernley, NV 89408. Phone: (775) 784-9900, email: building@cityoffernley.org. Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; permit submittal counter closes at 4:00 p.m. daily; closed all observed holidays. Inspection requests must be received by phone (775-784-9829/775-784-9900) by 4:00 p.m. the business day before the requested inspection date.. Official information: https://www.cityoffernley.org/74/Building-Department.

No. The City of Fernley uses the same Building Permit Application-Commercial for a change of use, checking the 'Change Of Use' project-type box and stating the Previous Occupancy and Proposed Occupancy.

Not necessarily — 'Change Of Use' is a distinct project-type option on the Commercial application, but any accompanying tenant-improvement or alteration work must separately meet the Commercial Plan Submittal Checklist requirements.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-22.

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 Fernley building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Other permits in Fernley

Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Single- and Two-Family Dwellings)Residential Addition / Remodel / Repair PermitElectrical Permit (Tag / Service Change / New Installation)Plumbing PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitRe-Roofing PermitSolar Photovoltaic (PV) / EV Charging Station PermitEV Charger / Electric Vehicle Charging Station PermitDemolition PermitFence and Retaining Wall PermitSign Building PermitFire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Permit (North Lyon County Fire Protection District)

Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit in other cities

Carlin, NevadaElko, NevadaEly, NevadaFallon, NevadaLas Vegas, NevadaNorth Las Vegas, NevadaPershing County (includes Lovelock), NevadaSparks, Nevada

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