Unincorporated Washoe County building permit requirements

Washoe County Building Program

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

12 permit types(775) 328-2020Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Department information

Address: 1001 E. Ninth Street, Building A, Reno, NV 89512
Phone: (775) 328-2020
Email: building@washoecounty.gov
Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Website: Official site

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), Chapters 1–35 — effective July 1, 2025 (compliance mandatory January 1, 2026); adopted per Washoe County Code Chapter 100 with 2024 Northern Nevada Amendments2024 International Residential Code (IRC), Chapters 1–44 — effective July 1, 20252024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — effective July 1, 20252024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — effective July 1, 2025; Nevada statewide energy floor per NRS 701.220 (eff. 2024-08-18) also applies2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), Chapters 1–8 — effective July 1, 20252024 International Mechanical Code (IMC), Chapters 1–15 — effective July 1, 20252024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — effective July 1, 20252024 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) — effective July 1, 20252024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) — effective July 1, 20252024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — effective July 1, 20252023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — effective July 1, 20252024 NFPA 54 and NFPA 58 — effective July 1, 20252024 Northern Nevada Amendments by the Northern Nevada Chapter of the International Code Council (NNICC) — incorporated by reference

Permit types

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)

Required for all new single-family dwellings, duplexes, townhouses, and residential accessory structures in unincorporated Washoe County. Applies to construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, and change of occupancy of residential buildings up to three stories.

Residential Addition / Remodel Permit

Required for additions, structural alterations, interior remodels, decks, attached garages, carports, patio covers, and any work not on the county's exempt-work list. Work not on the exempt list requires a permit per WCC Chapter 100.

Electrical Permit

Required for electrical installations, service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, and wiring for additions or alterations in unincorporated Washoe County. Work must comply with the 2023 National Electrical Code.

Plumbing Permit

Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in unincorporated Washoe County, including water heater replacements, fixture additions, re-piping, and sewer/water service line work. Governed by the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code.

Mechanical / HVAC Permit

Required for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fuel gas, and related mechanical installations in unincorporated Washoe County. Covers furnaces, A/C, heat pumps, ductwork, gas piping, gas fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, and evaporative coolers.

Re-Roof / Roofing Permit

Required for roof replacement and re-roofing in unincorporated Washoe County. EZ Permits are available for licensed contractors for re-roof work. Siding replacement is handled under the general building permit.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

Required for rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV systems on residential and commercial properties in unincorporated Washoe County. Requires both a building/solar permit for the structural and collector installation and a separate electrical permit for wiring.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

Required for construction of an attached, detached, or minor accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a residential property in unincorporated Washoe County. Washoe County (population ≥100,000) is subject to NRS 278.257 (effective July 1, 2026), which mandates a county ordinance authorizing ADUs and prohibits the county from requiring the owner to live on the property as a condition of renting the ADU.

Demolition Permit

Required for the full or partial demolition of structures in unincorporated Washoe County.

Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit

Required for interior alterations, remodels, and tenant improvements to existing commercial buildings in unincorporated Washoe County. Governed by the 2024 IBC. Separate trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are required for associated trade work.

Swimming Pool / Spa Permit

Required for construction of new in-ground or above-ground swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs in unincorporated Washoe County. Governed by the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and the 2024 IRC. A separate electrical permit is also required.

Block / Screen Wall / Fence Permit

Required for block walls, screen walls, and fences in unincorporated Washoe County that exceed the exempt thresholds. Fences over 6 feet high (or over 30 inches in the front yard) require a permit. Retaining walls over 4 feet in height require a permit.

Tips & gotchas

FIRST: Confirm your parcel is in unincorporated Washoe County, not the City of Reno or City of Sparks — use the Washoe Regional Mapping System (WRMS) at washoecounty.gov. Many parcels near city limits fall under city jurisdiction.
All permits are submitted online via the ONe NV permit portal (www.onenv.us) — create an Accela account first; schedule inspections through the same portal.
Call (775) 328-2020 between 8:00 AM–8:30 AM on inspection day to get your specific time slot for that day's inspection.
EZ Permits are available for licensed contractors for basic work: electrical service changes, HVAC, plumbing, re-roofing, water heater replacement, and fireplace installation — these are typically faster to process.
2024 codes (IBC, IRC, IECC, etc.) became mandatory for all new submittals on January 1, 2026. A 6-month grace period allowed 2018-edition use through December 31, 2025.
Washoe County adopts both the IMC and UMC — for a given project, the design professional selects one code and must apply it in full.
WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface): Many unincorporated Washoe County parcels are in the WUI overlay under the adopted 2024 IWUIC. These require ignition-resistant construction (IRC Appendix) and Class A or B roofing — confirm your parcel's WUI status before designing.
Snow load: Final roof snow design load (Ps or Pf) shall not be less than 29 psf. Loads increase significantly with elevation — use the ASCE Hazard Tool or contact the Building Program for site-specific design values.
Ice barrier underlayment is required above 5,300 feet elevation (unlike some Nevada lower-elevation jurisdictions).
Incline Village area (Lake Tahoe) projects must add 15% to the construction cost per square foot for valuation purposes.
Park Tax (1% of permit valuation or $1,000/unit, whichever is less) and Regional Road Impact Fees (RRIF) must be paid in cash or check at final permit issuance — credit cards are not accepted for these fees.
ADU rentals: As of July 1, 2026, NRS 278.257 prohibits Washoe County from requiring owner-occupancy as a condition of renting an ADU as long-term housing. Short-term rental (STR) restrictions still apply under WCC Chapter 110 Article 319.
Demolition of pre-1980 structures likely requires an asbestos survey — contact NDEP (Nevada Division of Environmental Protection) for regulatory guidance.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.

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

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