Garage conversion rules in Las Vegas, NV — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Las Vegas regulates garage conversions to habitable space under Title 19 (Unified Development Code) and the 2021 International Building Code. If the conversion includes a kitchen (i.e., creating a casita or accessory dwelling), it is treated as a Class I accessory structure requiring a Special Use Permit and lot size of at least 6,500 sq ft. Replacement of required covered parking is generally required under LVMC §19.08 when an enclosed garage is converted, unlike California.
Conversion of an attached or detached garage to habitable living space requires a building permit from the City of Las Vegas Department of Building & Safety, with plan review confirming compliance with the 2021 IBC and California-style egress, ceiling height (minimum 7 feet), light and ventilation, smoke and CO alarms, and energy code provisions. Because Nevada has no state ADU mandate, LVMC §19.08 generally requires that the off-street parking eliminated by the conversion be replaced elsewhere on the lot — the California rule prohibiting replacement parking does not apply. If the conversion creates an independent dwelling with a kitchen, a Special Use Permit is also required and the property must meet the 6,500 sq ft minimum lot size. Conversions in HOA-governed master-planned communities (Summerlin, Aliante, etc.) typically also require architectural review approval. The unit may not be rented separately unless the primary dwelling is owner-occupied.
Converting a garage to habitable space without a building permit is a violation of LVMC §16 (Building Code) and Title 19, with stop-work orders, citations up to $1,000 per offense under LVMC §1.08, and required after-the-fact permitting or restoration of the garage. Failing to provide replacement parking is separately citable under §19.08.
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