Elko County, NV Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Two parts of the Elko County Code govern solar. Title 3 covers the building side. Section 3-1-1(I) adopts the 2018 Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code, recommended by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and section 3-1-1(A) includes it in the administrative code, excluding fee schedules adopted by resolution. Section 3-1-5(H) adds to Table 104.5, Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code Fees, a system fee schedule that does not include the permit issuing fee and is set by resolution adopted by the Elko County commission.

The code prints no dollar amounts for the schedule, which is kept with the Community Development resolution. Section 3-1-4(A)(3) adds that permit fees are set by the Board of Commissioners and adjusted every other year using the western urban consumer price index published in January, and that property in travel zones 1, 2 and 3 pays a travel fee of $20, $40 or $60. Title 4 covers large projects. Chapter 17 requires a special use permit for construction of a renewable energy project, and § 4-17-2 sets the trigger: any renewable energy project with a nameplate capacity of ten megawatts or more must apply to the Elko County Planning and Zoning Division.

Section 4-17-3 requires a preliminary meeting with the Senior Planner and the Natural Resource director before the application, and staff consult the Nevada Department of Wildlife and other agencies. If staff find a risk of degradation to wildlife habitat, the applicant provides a report from an independent biologist. An applicant who disagrees with staff on significant impact can appeal to the Planning Commission, whose decision is final for judicial review. Section 4-17-4 lists the application contents, including the applicant's name, location, plans and layout, a reclamation plan, an environmental mitigation plan and a plan for disposal of old equipment.

Smaller systems fall under Title 3 building permits only. Section 3-1-2 adopts later editions of the solar code automatically after the building official posts notice.