Las Vegas treats accessory dwelling units as conditional uses under Las Vegas Municipal Code (LVMC) Title 19 Zoning Code. Nevada has no statewide ADU preemption law, so the city retains broad discretion. ADU applications go through the Department of Planning with site plan review, and most single-family residential (R-1) zones require a special use permit before a building permit can be issued.
Unlike California, Oregon, and Washington, Nevada has no statewide ADU mandate, so Las Vegas applies traditional zoning controls under LVMC Title 19. ADUs (also called "guest houses" or "accessory living quarters" in older code language) are regulated by zoning district. In single-family R-1 districts, an ADU typically requires a special use permit reviewed by the Planning Commission, which involves a public hearing and notice to neighbors within 500 feet. Required submittals include a site plan, floor plan, elevations, parking layout, and demonstration that the unit meets setback, height, and lot coverage standards. Plan check is handled by the Department of Building & Safety once zoning approval is in hand. Two permits are usually involved: a planning entitlement and a separate building permit. Reviews are not ministerial — discretionary findings include neighborhood compatibility and adequate infrastructure. Processing time is typically 2 to 4 months for the entitlement plus standard building permit review.
Building an ADU without entitlement and building permits: stop-work order, daily code-enforcement fines, and required removal or retroactive permitting (often denied if the structure does not meet code). Civil penalties under LVMC 19.18 for zoning violations.
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Municipal Code Title 7 Chapter 7.36 requires dogs in public to be restrained by leash, cord, chain, or enclosure. Off-leash permitted only in desig...
Las Vegas, NV
The City of Las Vegas does not regulate yard ornaments on private property. Statuary, religious displays, and decorative landscape elements are generally all...
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas has no city ordinance setting size, height, or hours limits for inflatable holiday displays (giant snowmen, pumpkins, etc.) on private residential ...
Las Vegas, NV
The City of Las Vegas does not impose specific install-by or take-down-by dates for holiday lights on private property. Holiday-light regulation in Las Vegas...
Las Vegas, NV
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Las Vegas require building permits from the Department of Building & Safety for gas line installation, electrical work, plumbing...
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas has no smoker-specific ordinance for single-family use, but backyard smokers fall under the LVMC noise and nuisance code if smoke or odor unreasona...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Clark County.
See how other cities in Clark County handle adu permits.
See how Las Vegas's adu permits rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.