Elko County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Elko County (all areas outside city limits of Elko, Carlin, Wells, and West Wendover)

Department

Elko County Building & Safety Division

Address

540 Court Street, Suite 104, Elko, NV 89801

Phone

(775) 738-6816

Email

administration@elkocountynv.net

Website

https://www.elkocountynv.net/departments/building_inspection/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Complete building permit application
2. Submit two sets of plans (residential) or three sets (commercial)
3. Pay application fee
4. Plans reviewed by building official
5. Permit issued upon approval and fee payment
6. Post permit and inspection record card on job site
7. Schedule required inspections
8. Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

Typical processing time: 14 days residential, 21 days commercial (varies by complexity)

Source: Elko County Building & Safety Division

General Requirements

New construction, additions, remodels, repairs, change of occupancy, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Scaled plans
• Site plan
• Plot plan
• Structural calculations (if applicable)
• Engineered plans for commercial projects

Permit validity

180 days from issuance; work must commence within 180 days or permit expires

Building code

2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) - Building & Electrical chapters only, 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC), 2018 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) - for reference

Owner-builder

Owner-builders may prepare and submit their own plans for their own private residential use. Plans must be titled without reference to being prepared by another party and have owner's original signature.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must be licensed by Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB)

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$44.00

Plan check fee

Included in permit fee for residential; 65% of permit fee for commercial

Permit fee formula

$1-$1,300: $44.00; $1,301-$2,000: $44.00 + $2.75 per $100; $2,001-$25,000: $63.00 + $12.50 per $1,000; $25,001-$50,000: $352.00 + $9.00 per $1,000; $50,001-$100,000: $580.00 + $6.25 per $1,000; $100,001-$500,000: $895.00 + $5.00 per $1,000; $500,001-$1,000,000: $2,855.00 + $4.25 per $1,000; Over $1,000,000: $4,955.00 + $2.75 per $1,000

Reinspection fee

$50.00 per hour (minimum 1/2 hour)

Payment note

Contact department for accepted payment methods

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Sidewalks, driveways, and uncovered decks (when deck is not used as exit)

Important: Electrical, mechanical, and sanitary plumbing installations are NOT exempt from permits. All exempt work must still comply with code.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (775) 738-6816 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

At least 24 hours in advance

Inspection hours

Tuesday-Thursday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Footings, Foundation, 4-way (framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough mechanical), Insulation, Sheetrock, Final

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) - Building & Electrical chapters only, 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC), 2018 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) - for reference
• Verify contractor license: Nevada State Contractors Board License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Elko County Building Code
• License lookup guide: Nevada Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nevada Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nevada hub: Nevada Contractor License & Permit Hub