Building Safety in Reno, NV (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Reno, Nevada, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Reno follows federal EPA Renovation Repair and Painting rules for pre-1978 homes. Contractors must be EPA-certified lead-safe renovators and sellers and landlords must provide the EPA lead disclosure pamphlet.
Building Safety: Lead Paint
Some RestrictionsEPA — Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program: Who Does the RRP Program Apply To?
Contractors — In general, anyone paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified in lead-safe work practices. This includes all firms, even sole proprietorships. [...] Homeowners — If you are planning an RRP project in a pre-1978 home, EPA recommends that homeowners hire a lead-safe certified contractor who is certified and t...
Childcare Center Rules
Reno requires every child care facility to meet building, electrical, plumbing, fire, and life-safety codes, with plans reviewed by Washoe County and annual fire and building inspections under Municipal Code § 10.14.140.
Reno Child Care Facility Building Rules
Some RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 10.14.140
(a)Compliance with technical codes. All child care facilities must comply with all applicable sections of the currently adopted Uniform Building Code, National Electrical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Fire Code, Life Safety Code, environmental health and zoning codes. Where there is a difference between the state and local code, the more stringent will apply.(b)Submittal of building plan...
Green Building Code
Reno has no mandatory green-building code for new construction, but Municipal Code Chapter 14.30 makes buildings of 30,000+ square feet benchmark annual energy and water use, and it exempts LEED- or National Green Building Standard-certified properties from that reporting.
Reno Green Building & Energy Benchmarking Law
Some RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 14.30.005
An exemption may be granted for the current reporting year, or other term as defined, at the discretion of the manager or an appointed code compliance officer if one of the following conditions exist:(1)A new building built under the currently adopted International Energy Conservation Code; or(2)A building with a LEED (Leadership in energy and Environmental Design) certification; or(3)A buildin...
Building Permits
Reno's building official withholds permits for work that violates zoning rules and won't issue any permit until appeal deadlines under the code pass with nothing filed.
Reno Building Permit Issuance Rules
Some RestrictionsReno Municipal Code §§ 14.03.040(a), 14.03.060
The building official shall not issue a building permit for the use of any structure or part thereof which does not comply with zoning regulations.(b)The building official shall ascertain the exact location of the property on which the building is to be located to determine whether the proposed structure complies with zoning regulations including those in a special use permit, other special exc...
Electrical Permits
Reno has adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code with local amendments, and bars any electrical wiring installation, alteration, or addition without a city permit and a valid electrician certificate.
Reno Electrical Permit & NEC Rule
Some RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 14.04.125.005(a)
No person, company or corporation shall do, cause or permit to be done any installations, alterations or additions of electrical wiring or equipment, any of which would require a permit issued by the department, unless such person, company or corporation possesses a valid certificate as required by the provisions of this article.
Plumbing Permits
Reno adopts the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code and requires a valid certificate for anyone doing plumbing work that needs a city permit, with a narrow homeowner exception.
Reno Plumbing Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsReno Municipal Code §§ 14.04.120, 14.04.120.007
The 2024 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials... is hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein and made a part hereof as if set forth in full. ... No person, company or corporation shall do, cause or permit to be done any installations, alterations or additions of a plumbing system, any of which would requ...
Looking for Washoe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reno city rules.
Building Safety in Washoe County →