Unincorporated Churchill County

Any new construction, additions, and alterations to existing buildings (residential and commercial); Accessory buildings and garages with floor area of 120 square feet or greater; Covered porches constructed with solid roof; Decks or patio structures 30 inches or more above grade; Repair or replacement of roof or roof covering; New construction or repair of individual residential septic systems; Placement of pre-fab storage sheds, carports, or cargo containers; Any structure over 120 square feet.

• Exempt Accessory buildings smaller than 120 square feet (detached)
• Exempt Concrete patio slabs
• Exempt Concrete driveways
• Exempt Wood decks less than 30 inches above grade
• Exempt Shade porches covered with lattice (not solid roof)

Note: Exemptions from permit requirements do not grant authorization for work to be done in violation of code provisions or other laws. Zoning regulations may still apply. Even if a building permit is not required, all land in Churchill County is assigned a zoning district. Verify zoning compliance through the Planning Department.

Building code

Churchill County participates in the Northern Nevada Code Amendments. Contact the Building Department for specific adopted code editions. The 2024 Northern Nevada Amendments were published February 20, 2025.

Permit validity

Building permits: Valid for 180 days from date of issuance or from date of last inspection. Septic construction permits: Valid for one year from date of issuance.

Owner-builder

Homeowners may obtain building permits for their own primary residence under Nevada NRS 624.031. Owner-builder must complete an Owner-Builder Affidavit of Exemption and acknowledge they may not sell or lease the property within 1 year of completion. Owner-builder must directly supervise construction. Any subcontractors must be properly licensed by NSCB. Unlicensed persons working on project must work under owner's direct supervision and be employed by owner. Owner must comply with all employer requirements (FICA, income tax withholding, workers compensation, unemployment compensation). Exemption applies to single-family residential structures only; does not apply to condos or apartments.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must be licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB). Contracting without a license is a crime in Nevada: First offense is a Misdemeanor with fine up to $1,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment; Second offense is a Gross Misdemeanor with fine of $2,000-$4,000 and up to 1 year imprisonment; Third offense is a Category E felony with fine of $5,000-$10,000 and 1-4 years state prison.

Source: Churchill County Building Department (Public Works, Planning & Building Department) ↗

1. 01
   Contact the Building Department at (775) 428-0264 or buildings@churchillcountynv.gov for a pre-application consultation to discuss your project and determine permit requirements.
2. 02
   Prepare required documents including site plans, structural drawings, and project valuation.
3. 03
   Submit application and plans through the online portal.
4. 04
   County staff will review submitted plans for code compliance.
5. 05
   Upon approval, pay permit fees based on construction valuation.
6. 06
   Permit is issued after fee payment and plan approval.
7. 07
   Schedule inspections by contacting the department at least 24 hours prior to desired inspection date.

Typical processing time: Residential projects: 10-15 working days; Complex plans and commercial projects: 6-8 weeks. Timeframes are approximate and subject to vary depending on current workload and completeness of submitted plans.

Source: Churchill County Building Department (Public Works, Planning & Building Department) ↗

Credit cards accepted (2.45% convenience fee added). Debit cards NOT accepted. Check or money order accepted.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• buildings@churchillcountynv.gov (email)
• (775) 428-0264 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Minimum 24 hours prior to desired inspection date

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation Inspection (after excavations and reinforcing steel in place); Concrete Slab/Under-Floor Inspection (after all in-slab building service equipment, conduit, piping, and accessories are in place but before concrete is poured); Rough Framing Inspection (after roof, all framing, fire blocking, and bracing are in place; before insulation and drywall); Additional Inspections as required (insulation, drywall nail, roof nail, stucco lath, and others as determined by building official); Final Inspection (after finish grading and building is completed and ready for occupancy). Septic Inspections: Two inspections required - First when soil profile pit is dug, Second after completion of septic system but before covering with soil.

Source: Churchill County Building Department (Public Works, Planning & Building Department) ↗