Driveway Permits and Regulations in Nevada

Driveway Permits and Regulations in Nevada: What Every Homeowner Should Know

Thinking about widening your existing driveway, adding a circular motor court, or cutting a brand-new apron onto a Nevada road? Before you break ground, you need to understand Nevada’s driveway permit maze. Rules vary by county, city, and even subdivision covenants. Overlook one clause and you could face stop-work orders, fines, or the expensive surprise of tearing out fresh concrete.

This guide walks you through the entire process—from the first sketch on graph paper to the final inspection—so your project stays legal, safe, and on budget.

Do You Actually Need a Driveway Permit in Nevada?

The short answer: almost always. Nevada law treats any alteration within the public right-of-way (ROW) as an encroachment. That includes:

• Installing or widening an apron that crosses the sidewalk
• Adding a second curb cut for a side entry
• Replacing an asphalt driveway with concrete that changes the footprint
• Building a commercial-grade driveway to support an RV pad

Even “like-for-like” replacements can trigger permits if the original driveway was never properly recorded or if newer ADA or drainage codes now apply.

Exemptions That Rarely Apply to Homeowners

Clark County and Washoe County both list narrow exemptions—e.g., resurfacing in-kind with no structural changes—but inspectors interpret these strictly. If your contractor so much as nicks the curb or gutter, the exemption disappears and a retroactive permit (with double fees) is required.

Who Has the Final Say? State, County, City, or HOA?

Permit authority in Nevada is layered. You must satisfy every layer before the concrete truck arrives.

1. Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)

Controls any work touching a state highway or U.S. route. Expect longer review times (4–6 weeks) and stricter sight-distance requirements.

2. County Public Works

Clark County, Washoe County, and rural counties each publish their own “Encroachment Permit” packets. They regulate drainage, sidewalk ADA slopes, and utility clearances.

3. City Engineering or Building Department

If you live inside Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, Sparks, or North Las Vegas city limits, you file with the city, not the county. Cities overlay additional design standards—decorative scoring in Las Vegas, dust-control rules in Reno.

4. HOA & Subdivision CC&Rs

Your homeowners association can reject color, texture, or width even after the city signs off. Always submit HOA architectural forms first; they can take 30–45 days and you’ll need the approval letter for the city permit packet.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Driveway Permit in Nevada

Step 1 – Pre-Application Homework

• Survey: Order a boundary and topographic survey showing sidewalk, utility poles, fire hydrants, and drainage swales.
• Call 811: Nevada 811 will mark underground gas, electric, and telecom within two business days.
• Measure Sight Distance: Stand at the proposed curb cut and take photos in both directions. If you can’t see 300 ft on a 35 mph road, the city may deny the location.

Step 2 – Hire a Nevada-Licensed Contractor

State law (NRS 624) requires a “C-5” or “C-10” contractor for concrete flatwork. Ask for the contractor’s ROW bond number; cities won’t issue a permit without it.

Step 3 – Prepare Plans

Most jurisdictions want two sets of plans stamped by a Nevada-registered civil engineer if:

• Driveway width > 20 ft
• Slope > 6 %
• Adjacent sidewalk grade > 8 % (triggers ADA-compliant transition plates)

Step 4 – Submit the Encroachment Permit Application

Typical packet includes:

1. Application form (city or county specific)
2. Owner affidavit or contractor’s letter of authorization
3. Two copies of site plan & driveway detail (cross-section showing 4″ vs 6″ thickness)
4. HOA approval letter
5. Traffic control plan if work blocks a travel lane
6. Permit fee check (see fee table below)

Step 5 – Wait for Review

Standard timelines:

• Clark County: 10 business days
• City of Las Vegas: 15 business days
• Washoe County: 14 business days
• NDOT: 20–30 business days

Step 6 – Pre-Construction Meeting

An inspector will mark the exact curb cut limits with spray paint. Move the paint line and you’ll pay a $250 re-inspection fee.

Step 7 – Build & Inspect

You have 6 months (Clark) or 12 months (Washoe) to complete the work. Typical inspection checkpoints:

• Form boards & reinforcement steel (before concrete pour)
• Concrete slump test (on-site)
• Final inspection (within 24 hrs of finishing)

Step 8 – Record the Permit

Some counties (e.g., Washoe) require the recorded encroachment permit to be mailed to the assessor so future owners see the legal driveway envelope.

Permit Fees & Hidden Costs in Nevada

Typical Permit Fees (2024)

Often-Overlooked Expenses

• Sidewalk replacement: If the existing walk has < 2 % cross-slope, you’ll pay to rebuild it to ADA standards ($12–$15 per sq ft).
• Tree removal: Removing a heritage tree in Reno can trigger a $450 mitigation fee per inch of trunk diameter.
• Traffic control: Closing a lane on a collector street requires certified flaggers ($55 per hr, 4-hr minimum).
• Utility relocation: Moving a fire hydrant can cost $3,000–$5,000—paid by the homeowner.

Design Rules You Can’t Ignore

Maximum Width & Radius

• Single-family lots: 24 ft max apron width (Clark), 20 ft (Washoe) unless corner lot.
• Corner lots must leave 25 ft clear on each leg for sight triangles.
• Radius returns: 10 ft minimum, 25 ft preferred on 40 mph roads.

Materials & Thickness

• Concrete: 4″ minimum, 6″ at commercial or RV pads.
• Asphalt: 3″ compacted base + 2″ surface course; must be edged with concrete ribbon.
• Pavers: Allowed only if laid over 6″ concrete slab; sand-set pavers are rejected.

Drainage & Runoff

Nevada’s desert flash floods make drainage critical. All new driveways must:

1. Slope away from house at 2 % minimum.
2. Sheet-flow to street gutter; no concentrated discharge onto neighbor.
3. Install valley gutters if driveway crosses a swale (Clark County Code 16.32).

Top 5 Homeowner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Skipping the Survey

Building on a drainage easement can force removal. Spend $450 now to save $4,500 later.

2. Using an Unbonded Contractor

Ask for the ROW bond certificate number and verify it online at Nevada Contractors Board.

3. Wrong Curb Cut Location

Stay at least 5 ft from side property line unless you record a joint-use agreement with neighbor.

4. Ignoring Utility Clearances

Must maintain 3 ft horizontal from electric transformer, 10 ft from fire hydrant.

5. Pouring Concrete Before Inspection

An inspector can order removal of entire pour. Schedule inspections 48 hrs in advance.

Commercial & Multi-Family Driveways

Commercial permits require:

• Traffic impact study if trip generation > 100 vehicles/day
• Concrete strength of 3,500 psi minimum with fiber mesh
• 6-inch thickened edge with #4 rebar
• Separate access permit from NDOT if within 660 ft of state highway interchange

Plan on 8–12 weeks total review time and budget $3,000–$8,000 in combined fees.

Fast-Track Tips: Shorten Your Timeline by 2 Weeks

• Submit HOA forms electronically; many boards meet only once a month.
• Include engineer stamp on first submission—re-submits reset the review clock.
• Schedule a pre-app meeting; reviewers flag issues before formal intake.
• Pay expedite fee (Clark County $300) for 5-day review.

Frequently Asked Questions