Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Unincorporated Washoe County, Nevada
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.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Confirm property is in unincorporated Washoe County (not City of Reno or City of Sparks) using the Washoe Regional Mapping System (WRMS)
- Contact Planning Division (775-328-6100) to verify zoning and land use regulations before applying
- Submit permit application online via ONe NV permit portal (www.onenv.us) or in person at 1001 E. Ninth Street
- Plans must comply with 2024 IRC and 2024 IECC (mandatory as of January 1, 2026)
- Plans must include site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, and structural details; see Site Plan Checklist (2025)
- Setback and Elevation Certification Letter required at footings inspection
- Soils Compaction Certification Letter required at footings inspection
- Grading and Drainage Certification Letter required at final inspection
Required documents
- Req
Residential Building Permit Application (2023)
Official Washoe County residential permit application form
- Opt
Single Family Dwelling Handout (2022)
County handout summarizing plan submittal requirements for new SFD construction
- Req
Site Plan Checklist (2025)
Combined Engineering Checklist (April 24, 2025) required for all new construction
- Opt
Owner/Builder Affidavit (2023)
Required when owner acts as their own general contractor
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit — valuation $0.01–$500 | $45.00 | WCC Chapter 100, Appendix A, Table 1 (Ordinance 1766, effective August 2016 — confirmed live on washoecounty.gov fee page as of 2026-06-30) |
| Building Permit — valuation $500.01–$2,000 | $45.00 for the first $500.00 plus $3.36 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit — valuation $2,000.01–$25,000 | $95.40 for the first $2,000.00 plus $15.14 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit — valuation $25,000.01–$50,000 | $443.62 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.90 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit — valuation $50,000.01–$100,000 | $716.12 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.63 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit — valuation $100,000.01–$500,000 | $1,097.62 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.93 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit — valuation $500,000.01–$1,000,000 | $3,469.62 for the first $500,000.00 plus $5.07 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Plan Review Fee — Single Family Dwelling | 50% of building permit fee | WCC Chapter 100, Appendix A, Table 9 — paid at time of submittal |
| Park Tax | 1% of permit valuation or $1,000 per dwelling unit, whichever is less | NRS 278.4983 — must be paid in cash or check at final permit issuance |
| Regional Road Impact Fee (RRIF) | Varies — see RTC Regional Road Impact Fee Schedule | Collected at permit issuance; cash or check only; schedule at washoecounty.gov/building/Files_2020/RRIF-FEE-STRUCTURE.pdf |
| Residential Valuation basis — R-3 (one- and two-family), Type VB construction | $94.99–$126.86 per sq ft (Type VB cost table) | Used to calculate permit valuation per WCC Chapter 100 Appendix A Building Valuation Data |
Review timeline
~10–45 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Washoe County building department
Inspection process
- 1
Footings / Foundation
Before concrete pour — Setback and Elevation Certification Letter and Soils Compaction Certification Letter required
- 2
Framing
After structural framing, sheathing, and rough-in trades are complete and before insulation or wall cover
- 3
Insulation / Energy
Insulation installed and energy code compliance items verified before drywall
- 4
Final
All work complete; Grading and Drainage Certification Letter required; ready for Certificate of Occupancy
Tips
- Verify your parcel is in unincorporated Washoe County before applying — many parcels near Reno or Sparks city limits are within those cities' jurisdiction.
- Call (775) 328-2020 between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM on your inspection day to get your specific time slot.
- Inspections can be scheduled via voicemail at (775) 325-8000, email at inspections@washoecounty.gov, or online through your Accela account.
- Incline Village area projects add 15% to the construction cost per square foot for valuation purposes.
- Check whether your parcel is in a WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) zone before finalizing your design — many unincorporated Washoe County areas require Class A or B roofing and ignition-resistant construction.
- Frost depth is 24 inches minimum; footings must extend below this depth.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a building permit for new residential construction in unincorporated Washoe County?
- Yes. All new residential construction in unincorporated Washoe County requires a building permit from the Washoe County Building Program. Apply online at www.onenv.us or in person at 1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno. Call (775) 328-2020 for assistance.
- How is the building permit fee calculated in Washoe County?
- Fees are based on project valuation using the county's Building Valuation Data table (per WCC Chapter 100, Appendix A, Table 1). For a typical single-family home (R-3 occupancy, Type VB construction), the per-square-foot cost used is $94.99–$126.86. Apply that to the gross square footage to get a valuation, then look up the fee in Table 1. A 50% plan review fee is also charged at submittal.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- Washoe County Building Program — official building department
- Washoe County Building Program — Residential Projects
- Washoe County Building Fees (Table 1 — Building Permit Fees, Table 9 — Plan Review)
- Washoe County Code Chapter 100 (Building Code) — 7th Printing, July 2021
- Single Family Dwelling Handout (2022)
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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