Ely building permits

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Requirements

• A building permit is required to erect a sign as a 'structure' under the general permit trigger of Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2, since no sign-specific ordinance, chapter, or standalone permit exists in Ely Municipal Code Titles 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, or 12
• Application must be accompanied by a plot plan (drawn to scale) showing the size and location of the lot and existing/proposed structures, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(A)
• No permit shall be issued unless the application conforms to all applicable zoning-title regulations; any permit issued in conflict with zoning is null and void, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(D)
• Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, describing the scope of work and listing the contractor's name/address and State/City license numbers if a licensed contractor performs the installation
• If the sign is illuminated or otherwise electrically connected, the separate Electrical Permit trigger (2011 NEC, as identified on the City's Building Department and Building Codes webpage) likely also applies

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; no separate sign-specific form is published. 'Alteration' or 'Other' checked under Class of Work.
• RequiredPlot/Site PlanDrawn to scale, showing sign location relative to lot lines and existing structures, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(A)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Fire-protection system work (sprinklers, alarms, detection) is captured within the standard Building Permit Application's 'Fire' review-fee line item, reviewed by the Ely Fire Chief or White Pine County Fire Chief — no separate fire-sprinkler/alarm application exists
• Governed by the fire code as adopted by the Nevada State Fire Marshal pursuant to NRS Chapter 477 (Ely Municipal Code 7-2-1), separately identified as the 2018 International Fire Code on the City's Building Department and Building Codes webpage
• Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, describing the scope of fire-protection work and listing the installing contractor's name/address and State/City license numbers
• For new construction generally, an 'all-weather road' emergency-vehicle-access approval letter from the Ely Fire Chief or White Pine County Fire Chief is required, per the City's Building Permit Package checklist

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; no separate fire-sprinkler/alarm-specific form is published. Fire review fee line included on the same form as RPC, Health, and Will Serve.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A change to a building's use or occupancy classification is processed through the standard joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application, which records the applicable Occupancy Group and Maximum Occupancy directly on the form — there is no separate change-of-use or certificate-of-occupancy application
• Application must conform to all applicable zoning-title use regulations for the proposed use; any permit issued in conflict with zoning is null and void, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(D)
• Certificate-of-occupancy requirements flow from the 2018 IBC as adopted in full (including appendices) by Ely Municipal Code 9-1-1 (Ord. 746, 8-18-2022); the City has not published any locally-amended CO procedure distinct from the standard adopted-code administrative provisions
• Copies of any approved zone change, variance, or special/conditional use permit from the White Pine Regional Planning Commission required for the new use must be submitted with the application

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; no separate change-of-use or certificate-of-occupancy form is published. Occupancy Group and Maximum Occupancy recorded directly on the form.
• OptionalWhite Pine Regional Planning Commission Approval (zone change, variance, or conditional use)Required only where the new use requires a zoning action distinct from the existing entitlement

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit required when any owner or authorized agent intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, per the City of Ely How Do I/FAQ page
• Application submitted on the joint City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application with 'Commercial' checked as Proposed Use and the applicable Class of Work (New Building, Addition, Relocate/Move, Repair, Alteration, Demolition, Mobile Home, Other)
• Reviewed against the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) as adopted by Ely Municipal Code 9-1-1, plus the 2018 UMC/UPC/IFC/IECC and 2011 NEC editions identified on the City's Building Department and Building Codes webpage
• Plans must address the City's published design criteria: frost depth 36 inches, seismic zone D or C, 115 mph three-second gust wind speed, 1,500 lb. soil bearing capacity; snow load is determined case-by-case after application submission per the City's Building Department webpage
• Two complete sets of building plans required, showing floor plans, elevations, wall and roof construction, dimensions, window sizes, doors, heating, plumbing, and electrical, in sufficient detail for a proper plan check, per the White Pine County Building Permit Procedures document (jointly administered department)
• Plans may be required to be drawn by licensed/qualified people under NRS Chapters 623 and 625 (Nevada architect/engineer licensing statutes), per the White Pine County Building Permit Procedures document; 'book-bought' plans are not accepted
• Plot plan required showing plot dimensions, building sizes and locations, distances from roads, ditches and canals, distances between structures, easements, and utility poles, per the White Pine County Building Permit Procedures document
• All contractor names with both State License Number and City License Number for Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical contractors must be listed on the application
• Elevation certificate may be required if the building site is in a flood zone other than Zone X; the application form itself asks 'Is this property in a flood zone?'
• Special Approvals routed on the application's back page as applicable: Regional Planning Commission (RPC), Fire, Health, and Will Serve — each marked Approved, Denied, or Not Required by the department
• Application conformance to all applicable zoning-title regulations required; any permit issued in conflict with zoning is null and void, per Ely Municipal Code 12-16-2(D)

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form)Universal application; 'Commercial' checked under Proposed Use. Occupancy Group, Maximum Occupancy, Type of Construction, and Total Valuation of Work are completed on the form's administrative page by the Building Department.
• RequiredBuilding Plans (2 complete sets)Floor plans, elevations, wall and roof construction, dimensions, window sizes, doors, heating, plumbing, and electrical, in sufficient detail for plan check; may be required to be prepared by a Nevada-licensed design professional under NRS 623/625
• RequiredPlot PlanPlot dimensions, building sizes/locations, distances from roads and ditches, distances between structures, easements, and utility poles
• RequiredUtility Letters of Intent to Serve and ClearanceFrom the City of Ely Water/Sewer Department, Mt. Wheeler Power, and other applicable utilities, per the City's Building Permit Package checklist
• OptionalWhite Pine Regional Planning Commission ApprovalsCopies of any approved zone change, variance, or special/conditional use permit required for the commercial use
• OptionalElevation CertificateMay be required if the site is in a flood zone other than Zone X
• RequiredAll-Weather Road / Emergency Access Approval LetterFrom the Ely Fire Chief or White Pine County Fire Chief, per the City's Building Permit Package checklist for new construction

Fee schedule