Accessory Structures in Las Vegas, NV (2026)
9 verified accessory structures rules for Las Vegas, Nevada, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
The City of Las Vegas regulates accessory dwelling units (locally called Class I accessory structures, casitas, or guest houses) under Title 19 (Unified Development Code), with Chapter 19.04 covering permissible uses and Chapter 19.08 covering development standards. Class I accessory structures with full kitchens require a Special Use Permit and are limited to lots of at least 6,500 sq ft in the R-E, R-D, R-1, R-PD, R-CL, and R-MH zones; rental of the structure is prohibited unless the primary dwelling is owner-occupied.
Las Vegas ADU & Casita Rules (Title 19)
Some RestrictionsADU Permits
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.
Las Vegas ADU Permit Process (LVMC Title 19)
Heavy RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
Las Vegas does not exempt ADUs from impact, sewer, or water fees the way California does. ADU applicants typically pay full Las Vegas Valley Water District meter and connection charges, Clark County sanitation sewer connection fees, and any applicable park and traffic impact fees based on square footage and bedrooms. Total fees commonly run $10,000 to $25,000+ before construction.
Las Vegas ADU Impact Fees & Utility Charges
Some RestrictionsADU Owner Occupancy
Las Vegas does require owner-occupancy as a standard condition of approval for ADUs (called "accessory living quarters" or "guest houses" in the zoning code). Unlike California, which lifted owner-occupancy requirements via AB 881 (2019), Nevada has no preempting state law, so Las Vegas continues to impose owner-occupancy and often requires a deed restriction recorded against the property.
Las Vegas ADU Owner-Occupancy Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsADU Rental Restrictions
Las Vegas ADUs can generally be used for long-term rentals (31+ days) to family members or tenants if the owner lives on-site. Short-term rentals under 31 days are heavily restricted under LVMC Chapter 6.75 and AB 363 (2021): an ADU cannot be operated as an Airbnb-style STR unless the property holds a city STR permit, and the city has caps and distance buffers that make new STR permits hard to obtain.
Las Vegas ADU Rental Restrictions (Long-Term vs. Short-Term)
Heavy RestrictionsShed Rules
Sheds and accessory structures require permits if over 200 sq ft or with electrical/plumbing. Setbacks apply per LVMC Title 19 Zoning. No living/sleeping use without ADU permit.
Las Vegas Shed & Accessory Structure Rules
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
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.
Las Vegas Garage Conversion Rules (Title 19)
Some RestrictionsCarport Rules
Las Vegas permits residential carports up to 200 sf without a building permit under LVMC Title 15. Larger carports and all carports with utility hookups or attached to the dwelling require a permit and must meet setbacks and wind-load engineering for desert conditions.
Las Vegas Carport Rules
Some RestrictionsTiny Homes
Las Vegas allows tiny homes only when built to the 2018 IRC with Southern Nevada Amendments on a permanent foundation in a residential zone. Tiny houses on wheels are not recognized as permanent dwellings. Detached ADUs are capped at 1,200 sq ft.
accessory-structures/tiny-homes
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Clark County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Las Vegas city rules.
Accessory Structures in Clark County →