ADU Permits: Las Vegas vs North Las Vegas
How do adu permits rules compare between Las Vegas, NV and North Las Vegas, NV?
North Las Vegas has fewer restrictions than Las Vegas.
Las Vegas, NV
Clark County
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.
View full Las Vegas rules →North Las Vegas, NV
Clark County
North Las Vegas regulates accessory dwelling units through the North Las Vegas Municipal Code (NLVMC) Title 17 Zoning Ordinance. The city is updating its ADU framework to comply with Nevada AB 396 (Chapter 365, 2025), which directs qualifying cities to authorize ADUs by local ordinance. The older NRS 278.02391 also requires Nevada cities over 25,000 population to permit ADUs in single-family zones. Permits are processed through the Land Development & Community Services Department.
View full North Las Vegas rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Las Vegas | North Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | LVMC Title 19 Zoning | - |
| Process | Special use permit + building permit | - |
| State Preemption | None in Nevada | - |
| Review | Discretionary (Planning Commission) | - |
| Timeline | ~2 to 4 months entitlement | - |
| State Law | - | Nevada AB 396 (2025) + NRS 278.02391 |
| Local Code | - | NLVMC Title 17 (Zoning) |
| Building Code | - | NLVMC Title 15 + IRC |
| Permitting Office | - | Land Development & Community Services |
| Review Time | - | 4 to 8 weeks typical |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Las Vegas FAQ
Can I build an ADU in Las Vegas by right?
Generally no. Most single-family zones in Las Vegas require a special use permit through the Planning Commission before you can apply for a building permit. Unlike California, Nevada has no statewide by-right ADU law.
Where do I apply?
Start with the Department of Planning for zoning entitlement, then Building & Safety for the construction permit. Both are part of the City of Las Vegas Development Services Center.
North Las Vegas FAQ
Can North Las Vegas ban ADUs in my neighborhood?
No. Both NRS 278.02391 (2019) and Nevada AB 396 (2025) require qualifying Nevada cities, including North Las Vegas, to permit ADUs in zones that allow single-family homes. The city can regulate setbacks, size, and design but cannot prohibit ADUs outright.
Where do I apply for a North Las Vegas ADU permit?
Start with the City of North Las Vegas Land Development & Community Services Department, which handles both zoning compliance and building permits through the ePermit portal under NLVMC Titles 15 and 17.
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