Las Vegas ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Las Vegas, Nevada means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 12 source-cited requirements (7 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through City of Las Vegas Dashboard (ePlan) online portal. These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of Las Vegas. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
City of Las Vegas only (not unincorporated Clark County, Henderson, or North Las Vegas). An ADU ('Residential, Accessory Dwelling Unit') is NOT permitted by-right in the U, R-E, R-D, and R-1 districts — it is an 'S' use requiring a Special Use Permit (a Planning entitlement) before/with the building permit, and the lot must be ≥6,500 sf. One ADU per lot, it may not exceed the primary dwelling's gross floor area, one extra on-site parking space is required, and unless the principal dwelling is owner-occupied the ADU may not be rented (UDC §19.12.070). Plans are submitted electronically as PDFs via the Dashboard portal.
- Construction Drawings (full plan set)required
Complete, to-scale, digitally-signed plan set: floor plans, exterior elevations, foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Electronic Submittal Formatting Compliancerequired
A hard submittal gate: each discipline as one unbundled PDF (vector/TrueType, no portfolios/zips/password-locked/PDF-A) with digital seals per the Nevada Engineering Board.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Residential Building Applicationrequired
City permit application form, completed and submitted as a PDF online.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Site Planrequired
All property-line dimensions, existing and proposed structures with projections, setbacks, adjacent roads, driveways, and all easements.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Soils Reportrequired
A digitally-signed soils report less than one year old is required for structures with a footprint of 600 sf or greater (not required if using IBC default design values).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Special Use Permit (ADU entitlement)required
An ADU is an 'S' use in U/R-E/R-D/R-1 — a Special Use Permit must be obtained (min lot 6,500 sf; one ADU/lot; not exceeding the primary dwelling's gross floor area; one extra parking space; owner-occupancy rental restriction).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Structural Engineering & Calculations (or SNBO Standard Detail)required
Required for the casita unless a City/Southern Nevada Building Officials standard drawing is used or the IRC prescriptive method is followed; digitally signed by a licensed engineer.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Desert Conservation Program (DCP) Formconditional
Required on lots not previously developed or graded; submitted with the application.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Energy Code (IECC / REScheck) Calculationsconditionalverify locally
2018 IECC calculations with a Residential Energy Schedule. The casita column of the matrix does not mark IECC, but a habitable, conditioned ADU would still need it — confirm with the City.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Off-Site Construction Permit (Land Development)conditional
Separate submittal to Land Development if any work is within the public right-of-way or a public easement.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Owner/Builder Affidavit (NV State Contractors Board)conditional
Required when pulling the permit as an owner/builder rather than a licensed contractor; submitted with proof of ownership.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Truss Calculations or Deferred Submittal Agreementconditional
When the structure uses trusses, submit digitally-signed truss calculations or a deferred-submittal agreement.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22