This is PermitBase’s published record for Ely as of 2026-07-20. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.
Ely building permits
VerifiedEly, Nevada — as published 2026-07-20.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
VerifiedRequired for construction of a new single-family dwelling within Ely city limits. Reviewed against the 2018 IRC and 2018 IBC as adopted by the City of Ely, applying the City's published design criteria (frost depth, seismic zone, wind speed, soil bearing capacity). Submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Building permit required for new single-family dwelling construction within Ely city limits, per Ely Municipal Code 9-1-1 (2018 IBC adopted) and the City of Ely Building Department & Building Codes webpage (2018 IRC)
- Plans must address the City's published design criteria: frost depth 36 inches, seismic zone D or C, wind speed (three-second gust) 115 mph, soil bearing capacity 1,500 lb.
- Completed Building Permit Application (joint City of Ely/White Pine County form), including owner/contact information, parcel and legal description, proposed use, and class of work
- Two copies of a site plan showing building location on the site, grading, and property lines (one retained by the City, one kept at the project site at all times)
- Two copies of building plans of sufficient detail to show the intended project and application of the adopted codes (one retained by the City, one kept at the project site at all times)
- Proof of ownership or a letter of authorization from the owner
- Letter of intent to serve and letter of clearance from utility companies (City of Ely Water/Sewer Department, Mt. Wheeler Power, etc.)
- Copies of any approved zone changes, variances, or special/conditional use permits from the White Pine Regional Planning Commission
- Approval from the Nevada State Health Division, Bureau of Health Protective Services, for any needed septic system and/or domestic water system
- Owner Builder Affidavit of Exemption (Nevada State Contractors Board) if the owner is self-performing work in lieu of a licensed contractor
- All contractor names and State/City license numbers must be listed on the application
- Letter of approval for an all-weather road for emergency vehicle access from the Ely Fire Chief or White Pine County Fire Chief
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Fillable PDF application covering owner/contractor information, parcel data, class of work, and the City's fee block (Building Permit, Plan Check, Fuel Surcharge, Penalty, RPC, Fire, Health, Will Serve)
- RequiredSite Plan (2 copies)Shows building location on site, grading, and property lines; one copy retained by the City, one kept at the project site
- RequiredBuilding Plans (2 copies)Construction drawings of sufficient detail and clarity to show the intended project and demonstrate code compliance
- RequiredProof of Ownership or Owner Authorization LetterEstablishes the applicant's authority to obtain a building permit for the property
- RequiredUtility Letters of Intent to Serve and ClearanceFrom the City of Ely Water/Sewer Department, Mt. Wheeler Power, and other applicable utilities
- OptionalNevada State Health Division / Bureau of Health Protective Services ApprovalRequired only where a septic system and/or domestic water system is needed
- OptionalOwner Builder Affidavit of ExemptionNevada State Contractors Board form; required only if the property owner is self-performing work otherwise requiring a licensed contractor
- RequiredAll-Weather Road / Emergency Access Approval LetterFrom the Ely Fire Chief or White Pine County Fire Chief
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
VerifiedRequired for room additions, remodels, and structural alterations to existing residential dwellings in Ely, using the same joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application and Building Permit Package checklist used for new construction, with 'Addition' or 'Alteration' checked as the class of work.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Building permit required for the erection, construction, alteration, enlargement, repair, or conversion of any building or structure, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2 (Building Permits, Ord. 410) and the general permit requirement described in the City's Building Permit Package
- Application must be accompanied by a plot plan (drawn to scale) showing the size and location of the lot and existing/proposed buildings or structures, dimensions of yards and open spaces, and other information as may be necessary, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(A)
- Plans and descriptions must be submitted to the applicable reviewing body/commission for approval or disapproval, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(B)
- No permit shall be issued unless the application conforms to all applicable zoning-title regulations and the proposed use conforms to zoning; any permit issued in conflict is null and void, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(D)
- Same supporting documentation as new construction applies where relevant: proof of ownership, utility letters, contractor license numbers, and (if applicable) Regional Planning Commission approvals for any variance or zone change
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Same universal application used for new construction; 'Addition' or 'Alteration' checked under Class of Work
- RequiredPlot/Site PlanDrawn to scale, showing lot dimensions and existing/proposed structures, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(A)
- RequiredProof of Ownership or Owner Authorization LetterEstablishes the applicant's authority to obtain a building permit for the property
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Electrical Permit
VerifiedRequired for electrical installation, alteration, or repair work in Ely, governed by the 2011 National Electric Code (NEC) as identified on the City of Ely Building Department & Building Codes webpage. Applied for using the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, which requires the electrical contractor's name, address, State License Number, and City License Number.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical permit required for installation, alteration, or repair of wiring and electrical equipment within Ely city limits
- Governed by the 2011 National Electric Code (NEC) as identified on the City of Ely Building Department and Building Codes webpage
- Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, listing the Electrical Contractor's name/address and both State License Number and City License Number
- All inspections must be scheduled 48 hours in advance per the joint Building Permit Application (the separate Building Permit Package states 24 hours in advance for inspections generally)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; Electrical Contractor name, address, State License #, and City License # required
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedRequired for plumbing installation, alteration, or repair work in Ely, governed by the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2018 edition, as identified on the City of Ely Building Department & Building Codes webpage. Applied for using the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, which requires the plumbing contractor's name, address, State License Number, and City License Number.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Plumbing permit required for installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing fixtures, water heaters, gas piping, or sewer/water service lines within Ely city limits
- Governed by the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as identified on the City of Ely Building Department and Building Codes webpage
- Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, listing the Plumbing Contractor's name/address and both State License Number and City License Number
- Any needed septic system or domestic water system requires separate approval from the Nevada State Health Division, Bureau of Health Protective Services
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; Plumbing Contractor name, address, State License #, and City License # required
- OptionalNevada State Health Division / Bureau of Health Protective Services ApprovalRequired only where a septic system and/or domestic water system is involved
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for furnace, boiler, air-conditioning, and other mechanical installations in Ely, governed by the Uniform Mechanical Code, 2018 edition, as identified on the City of Ely Building Department & Building Codes webpage. Applied for using the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, which requires the mechanical contractor's name, address, State License Number, and City License Number.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- Mechanical permit required for installation or relocation of furnaces, boilers, compressors, air handlers, ventilation systems, and appliance vents within Ely city limits
- Governed by the 2018 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) as identified on the City of Ely Building Department and Building Codes webpage
- Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, listing the Mechanical Contractor's name/address and both State License Number and City License Number
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; Mechanical Contractor name, address, State License #, and City License # required
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
VerifiedRooftop or ground-mount residential solar PV installation within Ely city limits is not a separately named permit type — it is covered by the City's general building-permit trigger language ('to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system'), per the City's own How Do I/FAQ page, and is reviewed under the 2018 IBC/IRC (structural/mounting scope) and the 2011 NEC (electrical/interconnection scope) as identified on the City's Building Department & Building Codes webpage. No solar-specific application, checklist, or fee line is published by the City of Ely.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Building permit required for installation of any electrical system, per the City's How Do I/FAQ page language ('to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system')
- Structural/mounting scope (roof penetrations, racking attachment) reviewed against the 2018 IBC/IRC as adopted (Ely Municipal Code 9-1-1) and the City's published design criteria (36-inch frost depth, seismic zone D or C, 115 mph wind speed, 1,500 lb. soil bearing capacity)
- Electrical/interconnection scope reviewed against the 2011 NEC as identified on the City's Building Department & Building Codes webpage
- Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, listing the Building and/or Electrical Contractor's name/address and both State License Number and City License Number
- Two copies of a site plan and two copies of construction plans required, per the general Building Permit Package checklist
- Owner Builder Affidavit of Exemption (Nevada State Contractors Board) required if the owner is self-performing work in lieu of a licensed contractor
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; no separate solar-specific form is published. Building and/or Electrical Contractor name, address, State License #, and City License # required.
- RequiredSite Plan / Construction Plans (2 copies each)Showing panel placement, racking/mounting details, and electrical single-line diagram; no solar-specific plan-submittal checklist is published by the City, so standard building/electrical plan-review content applies
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
EV Charger / EVSE Permit (No Dedicated Type — Fee Schedule Unpublished)
Installation of a Level 2 (or higher) electric vehicle charger/EVSE within Ely city limits is not a separately named permit type — like solar PV, it is covered by the City's general building-permit trigger language ('to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system'), per the City's own How Do I/FAQ page, and is reviewed under the 2011 NEC (Article 625, Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System) as identified on the City's Building Department & Building Codes webpage. No EV-charger-specific application, checklist, or fee line is published by the City of Ely; no dollar-amount fee schedule is published for any permit type at all — Ely Municipal Code 9-1-5 ties fees to the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code fee table, which is not published online. Re-chased exhaustively 2026-07-20: since Ely's building permits are jointly administered with White Pine County, additionally checked the County's own Building page, Building Permit Procedures & Applications page, Building Code Design Criteria Information page, the County's downloadable 'Customer Building Permit Procedures' PDF (read directly, full text extracted), and the County's Building FAQ -- none publish a dollar-figure fee schedule or a numeric review timeline; the County's only public statement is 'The cost of permits is based on the valuation of construction' with a phone number to call. This confirms the same gap independently from both the City and County sides of the joint department, not merely an unchecked City-only page.
Reviewed 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical permit required for installation of an EV charger circuit, per the City's How Do I/FAQ page language ('to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system')
- Governed by the 2011 NEC as identified on the City's Building Department and Building Codes webpage, including Article 625
- Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, listing the Electrical Contractor's name/address and both State License Number and City License Number
- All inspections must be scheduled 48 hours in advance per the joint Building Permit Application
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; no separate EV-charger-specific form is published. Electrical Contractor name, address, State License #, and City License # required.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Re-Roofing Permit
VerifiedRequired for replacement of roof covering on any building in Ely, subject to the City's general building-permit requirement (Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2 / 9-1-1) and the 2018 IBC as adopted.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
Requirements
- A building permit is required for the erection, construction, alteration, enlargement, repair, or conversion of any building or structure, which the City's own Building Permit Package and Building Permit Application treat as covering roofing replacement under 'Repair' or 'Alteration' class of work
- Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, describing the scope of work and listing the Building Contractor's name/address and State/City license numbers
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; 'Repair' or 'Alteration' checked under Class of Work for re-roofing
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
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 Ely building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.