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Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Ely, Nevada

Required 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

When you need this permit

  • 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 Owner-builderContractor
  • 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

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Fee schedule

Filing fee
Not published — contact the department

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Residential Building Permit (New Construction) permit actually take in Ely?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Footings

    Before concrete pour — footing size and placement verified

  2. 2

    Foundation

    Foundation walls and forms verified prior to backfill

  3. 3

    Under-Slab Utilities

    Under-slab plumbing and utility rough-in verified before slab pour

  4. 4

    Rough Framing

    Structural framing verified per approved plans

  5. 5

    Rough Electrical

    Electrical rough-in verified before walls are closed

  6. 6

    Rough Plumbing

    Plumbing rough-in verified before walls are closed

  7. 7

    Rough Mechanical

    Mechanical/HVAC rough-in verified before walls are closed

  8. 8

    Insulation

    Insulation verified before drywall installation

  9. 9

    Dry Wall Nailing

    Drywall fastening pattern verified

  10. 10

    Final

    All work complete and verified per approved plans and adopted codes

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

Tips

  • All inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance (per the Building Permit Package) — the joint Building Permit Application separately states 48 hours in advance for inspections; confirm current scheduling lead time with the Building Department at (775) 289-6500.
  • Any work performed prior to permit issuance is subject to double permit fees, per the City of Ely Building Permit Package.
  • Work on manufactured housing must be separately approved and inspected by the Nevada State Manufactured Housing Division, (702) 486-4135.
  • The permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days at any point after commencement, per the joint Building Permit Application.
  • No dollar-amount fee schedule for building permits is published by the City of Ely. Ely Municipal Code 9-1-5 sets fees by reference to the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code fee table, which is not hosted on the City's website; the City's own FAQ page states only that 'the Building Department will then advise you as to any additional documentation needed and permit fees due' without listing amounts. Confirm current fee amounts directly with the Building Department at (775) 289-6500 or (775) 289-2430.

Frequently asked questions

Ely requires a residential building permit (new construction) for: 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. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Ely Building Department at (775) 289-6500 / (775) 289-2430 before starting work.

Ely does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Ely Building Department at (775) 289-6500 / (775) 289-2430 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Building Permit Application (City of Ely/White Pine County joint form); Site Plan (2 copies); Building Plans (2 copies); Proof of Ownership or Owner Authorization Letter; Utility Letters of Intent to Serve and Clearance; All-Weather Road / Emergency Access Approval Letter. Depending on your project, Ely may also ask for: Nevada State Health Division / Bureau of Health Protective Services Approval; Owner Builder Affidavit of Exemption. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Ely requires 10 inspection(s) for a residential building permit (new construction), in order: Footings, Foundation, Under-Slab Utilities, Rough Framing, Rough Electrical, Rough Plumbing, Rough Mechanical, Insulation, Dry Wall Nailing, Final. Schedule each through City of Ely Building Department ((775) 289-6500 / (775) 289-2430).

Apply through City of Ely Building Department at 501 Mill Street, P.O. Box 299, Ely, NV 89301. Phone: (775) 289-6500 / (775) 289-2430, email: buildingofficial@cityofelynv.gov. Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. City of Ely Building Department, 501 Mill Street, Ely, NV 89301 (mailing: P.O. Box 299, Ely, NV 89301). Fax (775) 289-1463. Building Official: Christopher Flannery (buildingofficial@cityofelynv.gov). The Building and Planning Department is jointly operated with White Pine County (Building & Planning Dept. Manager Jennifer Drew-Lesher, jdrew@whitepinecountynv.gov) and uses a shared City of Ely/White Pine County Building Permit Application form. Source: City of Ely Building Department & Building Codes page; Building Permit Application (joint form).. Official information: https://www.cityofelynv.gov/building-department-and-building-codes-city-of-ely/.

The City of Ely has adopted the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) by ordinance (Ely Municipal Code 9-1-1, Ord. 746) and identifies the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) on its Building Department webpage, along with the City's published design criteria: 36-inch frost depth, seismic zone D or C, 115 mph three-second gust wind speed, and 1,500 lb. soil bearing capacity. Source: Ely Municipal Code 9-1-1; City of Ely Building Department and Building Codes page.

The City of Ely does not publish a dollar-amount fee schedule. Ely Municipal Code 9-1-5 requires fees to conform to the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code fee table, but that table itself is not published on the City's website or in the online code library version of Title 9. Applicants must contact the Building Department directly at (775) 289-6500 or (775) 289-2430 for current fee amounts. Source: Ely Municipal Code 9-1-5; City of Ely How Do I / FAQ page.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.

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.

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