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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Humboldt County
Building permit required for new construction of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; additions to existing structures; manufactured home installations; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work; grading and excavation; signs and fences; woodstove/pellet stove installations.
One-story detached accessory buildings (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, livestock shelters, greenhouses) with floor area not exceeding 200 sq ft (must be detached with minimum 6 feet separation)
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top)
Sidewalks, decks, platforms, driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over basement or story below, provided not part of accessible route
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy, less than 24 inches deep in-ground or less than 5 feet deep when entirely above ground
Painting, papering, and similar finish work
Shade cloth structures for nursery storage or agricultural purposes (non-hazardous materials), roof area not exceeding 250 sq ft
- Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, livestock shelters, greenhouses) with floor area not exceeding 200 sq ft (must be detached with minimum 6 feet separation)
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top)
- Exempt Sidewalks, decks, platforms, driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over basement or story below, provided not part of accessible route
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy, less than 24 inches deep in-ground or less than 5 feet deep when entirely above ground
- Exempt Painting, papering, and similar finish work
- Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery storage or agricultural purposes (non-hazardous materials), roof area not exceeding 250 sq ft
Note: Zoning approval may still be required for exempt work. Contact Planning and Zoning at (775) 623-6393. Not all lots are buildable; check with Assessor or Planning Department to confirm legal lot status before construction.
Required documents
- Address or Assessor's Parcel Number
- Site plan (minimum 8.5 x 11, 11x17 preferred for accessory structures, 24x36 for dwellings)
- Cross section drawings
- Elevations
- Floor/wall/roof framing plan with header and beam sizes
- Floor plan indicating room dimensions, room uses, window sizes
- Foundation detail
- For manufactured homes: Size, make, year, serial number, set-up contractor information
- For electrical permit: Service size, location, number/location of lights/switches/outlets, horsepower of pumps/motors
- For mechanical permit: BTU of appliance, manufacturer's installation instructions
- For plumbing permit: Type and number of fixtures
- Building code
- Humboldt County Ordinance 11-04-13a, 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2012 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), 2012 International Fire Code (IFC), 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC), 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if work not commenced within 120 days of issuance; expire if abandoned for 180 days or more; expire one year from date of issuance per IRC Section R105.5; each permit must have approved inspection within 180 days from permit issue date or from last approved inspection.
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may act as their own general contractor for residential construction intended for their own occupancy. Must file Owner-Builder Affidavit of Exemption with Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) and submit original to building department. Owner must directly supervise construction. All subcontractors must be NSCB-licensed. Cannot sell or lease property within 1 year of completion. Must comply with all state and federal employment laws.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must be licensed by Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) for work valued at $500 or more. Contractor classifications: Class A (General Engineering), Class B (General Building), Class C (Specialty/Trade). NSCB Northern Nevada Office: (775) 688-1141. All contractors must obtain Humboldt County Business License: (775) 623-6345. Workers' compensation insurance required for all contractors with employees.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Approximately 10 working days (2 weeks) from complete application to permit issuance for single-family residences, assuming no land use approvals required and no corrections needed.
- 01 Contact Humboldt County Planning and Zoning at (775) 623-6393 to confirm zoning requirements, setbacks, and land use compatibility.
- 02 Complete building permit application package with all required documents (site plan, floor plans, elevations, cross sections, framing plans, foundation details).
- 03 Coordinate with applicable agencies: Planning & Zoning, Road Department, Nevada Division of Water Resources (well permits), Nevada Bureau of Health Protection Services (septic), Nevada State Fire Marshal.
- 04 Submit complete application in-person at 25 West Fourth Street, Winnemucca, or via email to buildingdept@hcnv.us.
- 05 Pay plan review fees at time of submittal (65% of building permit fee).
- 06 Building Department staff review submitted plans for code compliance.
- 07 Pay permit fees at time of permit issuance.
- 08 Receive permit and inspection record form (job card) with one set of approved plans.
- 09 Call (775) 623-6322 a minimum of 24 hours in advance to schedule required inspections.
- 10 Complete all required inspections (underground utility, foundation, stem wall, pre-slab, under floor, roof sheathing, shear/brace wall, framing, insulation, sheetrock, final).
- 11 Upon passing final inspection, Building Department issues certificate of occupancy (final sign-off on job card serves as certificate of occupancy).
Typical processing time: Approximately 10 working days (2 weeks) from complete application to permit issuance for single-family residences, assuming no land use approvals required and no corrections needed.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Humboldt County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$51.75
02
Plan check fee
65% of building permit fee, paid at time of submittal
03
Permit fee formula
Based on 1991 Uniform Building Code Table 3-A plus 15% increase; regional building valuation modifier 125%
04
Reinspection fee
$50.00 per hour, minimum one-half hour for plan review revisions
05
Penalty (no permit)
Equal to permit fee (double fee) for work started without permit (Special Investigation Fee)
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (775) 623-6322 (phone)
- 25 West Fourth Street, Winnemucca, NV 89445 (in-person)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24-hour notice required for all inspection requests; person doing the work must call and request inspection.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)
- Time windows
- Morning or afternoon windows available; outlying areas (Denio, Kings River, McDermitt): Inspections performed on Wednesdays
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Underground Utility, Foundation/Footing, Stem Wall/Basement Walls/Retaining Walls, Pre-Slab, Under Floor, Roof Sheathing (includes framing), Shear/Brace Wall, Framing and Rough Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing (together), Insulation, Sheetrock, Final. Manufactured homes: Stemwall footing/runner, Runner, Underground utilities, Final.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Humboldt County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV? ▸
Building permit required for new construction of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; additions to existing structures; manufactured home installations; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work; grading and excavation; signs and fences; woodstove/pellet stove installations.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $51.75. Fees are calculated as: Based on 1991 Uniform Building Code Table 3-A plus 15% increase; regional building valuation modifier 125%. Plan check fee: 65% of building permit fee, paid at time of submittal.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV, follow these steps: 1. Contact Humboldt County Planning and Zoning at (775) 623-6393 to confirm zoning requirements, setbacks, and land use compatibility. 2. Complete building permit application package with all required documents (site plan, floor plans, elevations, cross sections, framing plans, foundation details). 3. Coordinate with applicable agencies: Planning & Zoning, Road Department, Nevada Division of Water Resources (well permits), Nevada Bureau of Health Protection Services (septic), Nevada State Fire Marshal. 4. Submit complete application in-person at 25 West Fourth Street, Winnemucca, or via email to buildingdept@hcnv.us. 5. Pay plan review fees at time of submittal (65% of building permit fee). 6. Building Department staff review submitted plans for code compliance. 7. Pay permit fees at time of permit issuance. 8. Receive permit and inspection record form (job card) with one set of approved plans. 9. Call (775) 623-6322 a minimum of 24 hours in advance to schedule required inspections. 10. Complete all required inspections (underground utility, foundation, stem wall, pre-slab, under floor, roof sheathing, shear/brace wall, framing, insulation, sheetrock, final). 11. Upon passing final inspection, Building Department issues certificate of occupancy (final sign-off on job card serves as certificate of occupancy).
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV typically run Approximately 10 working days (2 weeks) from complete application to permit issuance for single-family residences, assuming no land use approvals required and no corrections needed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory buildings (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, livestock shelters, greenhouses) with floor area not exceeding 200 sq ft (must be detached with minimum 6 feet separation); Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top); Sidewalks, decks, platforms, driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over basement or story below, provided not part of accessible route; Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy, less than 24 inches deep in-ground or less than 5 feet deep when entirely above ground; Painting, papering, and similar finish work; Shade cloth structures for nursery storage or agricultural purposes (non-hazardous materials), roof area not exceeding 250 sq ft. Note: Zoning approval may still be required for exempt work. Contact Planning and Zoning at (775) 623-6393. Not all lots are buildable; check with Assessor or Planning Department to confirm legal lot status before construction. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Humboldt County, NV via: (775) 623-6322, 25 West Fourth Street, Winnemucca, NV 89445. 24-hour notice required for all inspection requests; person doing the work must call and request inspection..
last verified April 2026
source Humboldt County Building and Safety Department ↗
entry id permits/nevada/humboldt/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Humboldt County Building and Safety Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.