Esmeralda County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Esmeralda County.

Department

Esmeralda County Board of County Commissioners

Address

PO Box 517, Goldfield, NV 89013

Phone

(775) 485-3406

Email

bocc@esmeraldacountynv.gov

Website

https://www.accessesmeralda.com/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact the Esmeralda County Clerk or Board of County Commissioners for inquiries about Special Use Permits (large commercial, industrial, mining, utility-scale projects).
2. Submit application with required documentation to the County Clerk.
3. Application is reviewed and scheduled for public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners.
4. Board decides on approval, conditional approval, or denial.
5. If approved, obtain permit documentation before project commencement.

Typical processing time: Varies; contact County Clerk for timeline estimates on Special Use Permits.

Source: Esmeralda County Board of County Commissioners

General Requirements

NO building permits are required for residential or small business construction in Esmeralda County. The county does not maintain a building department or conduct inspections on residential and small commercial properties. Special Use Permits may be required for large commercial, industrial, mining, renewable energy, or utility-scale projects. All construction must have an approved water source and comply with minimum lot size requirements (residential lots must be at least 5 acres).

Building code

Esmeralda County has NOT adopted the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), or any other building code. Property owners are responsible for using prudent judgment in construction.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders have full freedom to construct on private property without county permits or inspections. However, Nevada State Contractors Board licensing and state-level permits (septic, well, electrical) may still apply.

Contractor requirements

All contractors working in Nevada MUST be licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board, regardless of county permit status. Unlicensed contractor work violates state law.

Fees

Payment note

No building permit fees are charged by Esmeralda County for residential or small business construction. Special Use Permit fees (if applicable) are determined on a case-by-case basis. State-level permit fees (contractor license, septic, well, electrical) are charged by respective state agencies.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• All residential construction
• All small business construction
• Accessory structures (sheds, barns, garages)
• Fences
• Minor repairs and alterations
• Tiny homes
• Alternative construction (earthbag, strawbale, earthships, etc.)
• Off-grid installations

Important: While exempt from county building permits, the following state permits may still be required: Septic system permits (Nevada Health Authority), Well permits (Nevada Division of Water Resources), Electrical permits (Nevada State Electrical Division), and contractor licensing (Nevada State Contractors Board). All contractors must be licensed regardless of county exemption status.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: No county inspections are conducted for residential or small business construction. Per the 2022 Esmeralda County Master Plan: 'There shall be no new county inspections of residences or small businesses.' Property owners are responsible for ensuring their construction is safe. State agencies may conduct inspections for septic systems, wells, and electrical work.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Esmeralda County has NOT adopted the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), or any other building code. Property owners are responsible for using prudent judgment in construction.
• Verify contractor license: Nevada State Contractors Board License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Nevada State Contractors Board
• Nevada Division of Water Resources (Well Permits)
• Nevada Health Authority - Environmental Health (Septic Permits)
• Nevada State Electrical Division
• Nevada State Fire Marshal
• License lookup guide: Nevada Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Nevada Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Nevada hub: Nevada Contractor License & Permit Hub