Building Safety in Washoe County, NV (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washoe County, Nevada.
Verified from official government sources
Building Permits
Washoe County requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing or changing the occupancy of any building or structure, under Washoe County Code § 100.105.1. Small accessory structures, low fences, and similar minor work are exempt under § 100.105.2. Fees follow a sliding scale in Appendix A, Table 1, and a permit expires if unused for 180 days.
Washoe County Building Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsWCC § 100.105.1; § 100.105.2
100.105.1 - Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first...
Electrical Permits
Washoe County requires a permit before anyone installs, alters, or replaces an electrical system, per Washoe County Code § 100.105.1. The Building Program inspects that work against the 2023 National Electrical Code, adopted at § 100.100.10(11). Permit issuance costs $45, plus per-square-foot fees for new wiring under Appendix A, Table 8, and unpermitted work is a misdemeanor with a doubled inspection fee.
Washoe County Electrical Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsWCC § 100.105.1; § 100.100.10(11)
100.105.1 - Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first...
Plumbing Permits
Washoe County requires a permit before anyone installs, alters, or replaces a plumbing system, under Washoe County Code § 100.105.1. The Building Program inspects that work against the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, adopted at § 100.100.10(9). Permit issuance costs $45, plus per-fixture fees set by Appendix A, Table 5, and unpermitted work is a misdemeanor with a doubled inspection fee.
Washoe County Plumbing Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsWCC § 100.105.1; § 100.100.10(9)
100.105.1 - Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first...
Building Safety by City in Washoe County
1 cities in Washoe County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Washoe County ordinances
See every category we cover for Washoe County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Washoe County Ordinance Hub →