Clark County Building Permits & Inspections: Start Here
If you searched for the Clark County Las Vegas Building Department because you need a permit, an inspection, permit records, building codes, fees, or help with an active project, the first thing to check is surprisingly simple: which government actually has jurisdiction over the property?
For property within Clark County Building Department jurisdiction, the department handles building permit applications, plan review, permit issuance, construction inspections, permit and inspection records, certificates of occupancy and related building-code services.
| Office | Clark County Building Department / Building & Fire Prevention |
|---|---|
| Address | 4701 West Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118 |
| Main phone | (702) 455-3000 |
| Building permits | (702) 455-8972 · pacenter@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
| Plan examination | (702) 455-8011 · bldgsrvs@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
| Inspection scheduling help | (702) 455-8040 · Inspschedule@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
| Public counter hours | Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; closed Friday–Sunday |
| Online services | Citizen Access Portal |
First: Is Your Property in Clark County or the City of Las Vegas?
This is the step many people skip. Clark County contains incorporated cities as well as large unincorporated areas. The building department responsible for your project depends on the property’s actual jurisdiction, not simply the city name printed in a mailing address.
| Property location | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated Clark County | Clark County Building Department |
| Inside City of Las Vegas limits | City of Las Vegas Building & Safety / Development Services |
| Inside Henderson | City of Henderson permitting authority |
| Inside North Las Vegas | City of North Las Vegas permitting authority |
| Boulder City or Mesquite | The applicable city permitting department |
How to check your jurisdiction
- Open the official Clark County OpenWeb jurisdiction map.
- Search the property address rather than relying on the ZIP code or mailing city.
- Review the jurisdiction shown for the parcel.
- If it is within Clark County jurisdiction, continue with the county permit process below.
- If the parcel is inside the City of Las Vegas, use the City of Las Vegas building permit service instead.
This distinction matters because Clark County and the City of Las Vegas maintain separate permit systems, review procedures and code administration.
What Services Does the Clark County Building Department Provide?
The department is more than a permit counter. Its online and in-person services cover the project from application through final inspection.
| Service | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Permit applications | Apply for building, trade, grading, fence/wall, pool/spa, sign, manufactured housing and other applicable permits. |
| Plan submittal | Upload drawings and supporting documents for projects that require plan review. |
| Plan review | Track review status, receive correction comments and submit corrected documents. |
| Permit issuance | Resolve pre-issuance conditions, pay required charges and obtain the issued permit. |
| Inspections | Schedule eligible in-person, video and other available inspections after permit issuance. |
| Permit records | Search permits, inspection history, documents, job cards and available occupancy records. |
| Building codes | Review current adopted codes, local amendments, policies and technical guidelines. |
| Occupancy | Process applicable Temporary Certificates of Occupancy, Certificates of Occupancy and Certificates of Completion. |
Do You Need a Clark County Building Permit?
Clark County’s published rule is broad: a permit is generally required before regulated construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition or a change in occupancy, and before regulated electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing work is installed, altered, repaired, moved, converted or replaced.
That means you should check permit requirements before beginning structural work or modifying regulated building systems.
Common permit application categories published by Clark County include:
- Building construction and alterations
- Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work
- Residential and commercial swimming pools or spas
- Fence and wall projects
- Grading
- Manufactured housing
- Signs
- Temporary structures
- Amusement and transportation systems
- Residential and commercial projects requiring plan review
Micro-step: check before you apply
- Open Clark County’s official Do I Need a Permit? page.
- Compare your proposed work with the published permit requirement and exemptions.
- If your project is unusual, write down the address and exact work you plan to perform.
- Call the Building Department at (702) 455-3000 before ordering materials or beginning regulated construction.
How to Apply for a Clark County Building Permit Online
Clark County uses its Citizen Access Portal for online permit services. A portal account is required when you need to submit, access and pay for permits.
Practical permit application workflow
- Confirm jurisdiction. Check the property using the county jurisdiction map first.
- Identify the permit type. Review the project category and determine whether plans are required.
- Get the correct application. Use Clark County’s official application/forms library.
- Create or sign in to Citizen Access. Use the applicant or project contact information that should remain associated with the permit.
- Enter the property and project information. Use accurate address, owner, contractor and scope-of-work details.
- Upload plans and supporting documents. Provide the project-specific drawings, checklists, calculations, reports and forms requested for that application.
- Submit and monitor review. Watch the portal and project email for corrections or other requirements.
- Respond to corrections carefully. Revise the affected documents and provide the requested correction response rather than starting a duplicate permit.
- Resolve conditions of approval. Some projects require additional agency clearances or documents before permit issuance.
- Pay applicable fees and obtain the issued permit. Do not treat an application or plan-review submission as permission to begin regulated work.
Official Permit Forms Start in Citizen Access
Uploading corrections or other documents
For an existing record, Clark County’s published process generally starts by signing into Citizen Access, searching for the permit number, opening the permit record and using the record’s attachment controls. The county distinguishes between ordinary document uploads, corrections/resubmittals and revisions to approved plans, so use the option that matches the request from the reviewer.
If you cannot access upload options, make sure the record is linked to the Citizen Access account being used.
Simple Online Permits That May Not Require Plan Review
Clark County also publishes a limited group of Building Simple Online Permits. These are processed through Citizen Access and do not require plans for plan review.
| Trade | Examples listed by Clark County |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Test and tag; same-size panel replacement only |
| Residential mechanical | Qualifying A/C and furnace replacements, condenser/pump combinations and furnace replacements |
| Commercial mechanical | Specified single-appliance furnace, A/C/furnace and condenser/pump replacements |
| Plumbing | Gas re-tag, water heater, reverse osmosis, water softener and qualifying residential re-pipe work |
The exact restrictions matter. For example, the county limits certain simple mechanical or plumbing permits by number of appliances or items. If your project exceeds those limits, a different sub-trade permit may be required.
Check the current Clark County Simple Online Permit list before selecting the application type.
What Documents Should You Prepare?
There is no single document package for every permit. A water-heater permit and a new commercial building obviously need very different submissions. Still, the following information is useful to have ready before starting an application:
- Project address and property information
- Property-owner details
- Applicant and project-contact information
- Clear description of the proposed work
- Applicable contractor and subcontractor information
- Building permit application or applicable specialty application
- Residential or commercial checklist when required
- Site plan where applicable
- Architectural and construction drawings
- Structural calculations where applicable
- Energy-compliance documents
- Mechanical, electrical and plumbing information as required
- Grading, drainage or civil documents for affected projects
- Agency approvals or supporting reports required by the project
Clark County maintains separate forms for building permits, residential and commercial checklists, fences/walls, grading, pools/spas, signs, manufactured housing, sub-permits, owner-builder situations and several specialized project types. Using the correct form can prevent an avoidable intake delay.
Clark County Plan Review: What Happens After Submission?
Once plans are accepted, they are routed to the applicable review disciplines for code-compliance review. If information is missing or the plans need changes, the reviewer issues corrections. The designer or applicant responds with corrected documents. After the required disciplines are completed, the project can move toward fee work-up and permit issuance.
Published first-review timeframe goals
Clark County publishes the following goals. These are review targets, not guaranteed approval times. Incomplete applications, corrections, unusual projects and outside-agency conditions can increase the total time required.
| Review category | Published goal |
|---|---|
| Commercial | 21 days |
| Commercial Minor | 14 days |
| Eligible Commercial 7-Day | 7 days |
| Residential Standard Plan | 21 days |
| Custom Single-Family Residence | 21 days |
| Residential Minor | 14 days |
| Revision | 10 days |
| Correction / subsequent review | 10 days |
| Phased project | 42 days |
Clark County defines additional eligibility conditions for some queues. For example, its published Commercial 7-Day category requires zoning approval and a project valuation below the stated threshold. Do not choose a faster queue unless the project actually qualifies.
View current plan-review timeframe goals.
Permit Fees: How Much Will a Clark County Permit Cost?
There is no single Clark County building permit price. Charges depend on the permit type, project scope, valuation, required reviews and other applicable development fees.
Clark County provides an online fee calculator, but the county specifically identifies calculator results as estimates only. Staff determines the final charges for the actual project.
Depending on the project, separate assessments collected during permit issuance can also include items such as transportation, park, habitat-conservation, public-facility, traffic or state water impact fees. Not every fee applies to every project.
How to estimate your fee
- Open the official Clark County Building Department Fee Calculator.
- Select the appropriate permit calculation type.
- Enter the requested project information.
- Use the displayed amount for planning only.
- Wait for the actual permit fee assessment before treating the amount as final.
Conditions That Can Delay Permit Issuance
Plan review approval does not always mean the permit can immediately be issued. Clark County uses “Prior to Permit Issuance” conditions for items that must be resolved first.
Depending on the project, conditions can involve:
- Missing or revised building applications
- Additional related permits
- Administrative holds
- Air-quality or dust-permit requirements
- Water or sewer approvals
- Septic approvals
- Southern Nevada Health District requirements
- Subcontractor declarations
- Other agency or project-specific clearances
When a permit reaches Ready to Issue status, review the attached condition information carefully. Clark County instructs applicants resolving applicable issuance conditions by email to include the permit number in the subject line and submit requested PDF documents as directed.
How to Schedule a Clark County Building Inspection
Inspections can be scheduled after the applicable permit has been issued. Clark County provides several scheduling options, including online scheduling, telephone assistance and eligible video inspections.
Online inspection micro-steps
- Make sure the permit has actually been issued.
- Have the complete permit number ready.
- Open the official Schedule an Inspection page.
- Select the appropriate in-person or eligible video-inspection option.
- Search the permit number.
- Select the inspection that matches the stage of work.
- Provide requested contact, access or gate information.
- Confirm the request.
- Keep the permit, job card and approved plans available at the job site when required.
For scheduling, cancellation or rescheduling assistance, call (702) 455-8040.
Video inspections
Clark County publishes a remote video-inspection program for eligible work. Examples listed by the county include qualifying rooftop solar installations, water heaters, water softeners, residential plumbing re-pipes, HVAC change-outs, certain detached storage sheds, signs and cell-site/antenna inspections.
Eligibility depends on the specific permit and inspection. Do not schedule both a video inspection and an in-person inspection for the same inspection request.
Saturday residential inspections
The county also publishes Saturday inspection availability for certain residential work within the Las Vegas Valley, including some remodels, additions, water heaters, re-pipes, solar, pools/spas, patios, HVAC change-outs, panel upgrades and fences/walls.
For eligible Saturday work, the county states that the request must be completed by 2 p.m. on the preceding Friday. Holiday-weekend restrictions apply, and a specific appointment time is not guaranteed.
How to Check Permit Status, Records and Inspection History
You do not need to guess whether a permit was issued or whether an inspection passed. Clark County provides separate tools for active records, historical documents and inspection history.
Check an active permit
- Open the Citizen Access Portal.
- Select the Building area.
- Search using the available permit or record information.
- Open the matching record.
- Review status, fees, conditions, inspections and available project information.
Search documents by property address
Clark County recommends address searching as a useful starting point in its document-image search.
- Open the Building Document Image Search.
- Choose the applicable Building Department record type.
- Enter the property address.
- Use document-type filters if too many records appear.
- Open the matching available permit or document image.
Check inspection history
Use the county’s inspection-history tool with the complete permit number. For newer permits, the permit generally uses the county’s current prefixed format, such as a number beginning with BD for Building Department permits.
Open the official Inspection History Report.
Certificate of Occupancy and Final Approval
For projects requiring a Certificate of Occupancy, the building cannot simply be occupied because construction appears finished. Required inspections and applicable agency clearances must be completed before occupancy authorization.
Clark County distinguishes among:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Completion | Confirms completion of applicable work on a structure that is not itself authorized for occupancy, such as certain shell or non-occupiable structures. |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) | Temporary occupancy authorization when applicable requirements and department conditions are satisfied. |
| Certificate of Occupancy (CO) | Occupancy authorization after required permitted work and final approvals are complete. |
Clark County states that a Certificate of Occupancy is generally available approximately three working days after approval of the final building inspection, assuming the applicable requirements have been completed.
Other agencies can also be involved in final clearances, including fire, sewer, water, civil improvements and health/septic authorities depending on the project.
Clark County Building Codes in Effect in 2026
This is an important 2026 change. Clark County’s newly adopted technical code cycle became effective January 11, 2026.
| Code | 2026 adopted edition |
|---|---|
| International Building Code | 2024 IBC |
| International Residential Code | 2024 IRC |
| International Existing Building Code | 2024 IEBC |
| International Swimming Pool and Spa Code | 2024 ISPSC |
| International Energy Conservation Code | 2024 IECC |
| Uniform Mechanical Code | 2024 UMC |
| Uniform Plumbing Code | 2024 UPC |
| National Electrical Code | 2023 NEC |
Clark County also publishes local Southern Nevada amendments and administrative provisions. For new permit applications submitted on or after January 11, 2026, use the current code information rather than assuming an older 2018 technical code still controls a new project.
The county did publish transition rules for applications submitted before the 2026 effective date, so an older active project can have a different code history from a new 2026 application.
Contractors, Owner-Builders and Permit Responsibility
For contractor-issued permits, Clark County requires the contractor or subcontractor to hold an active Nevada State Contractor’s License appropriate to the work. Completed permit application forms are required for permits.
Owner-builder situations have separate requirements and responsibilities. Clark County publishes an Owner Builder Affidavit of Exemption among its application documents.
If you are considering pulling a permit as an owner-builder, understand who will be legally responsible for the permitted work, inspections and code compliance before submitting the application. Hiring a contractor after obtaining an owner-builder permit does not automatically remove those responsibilities.
When Does a Clark County Building Permit Expire?
Clark County’s inspection guidance states that permits generally expire 180 days from issuance or the last approved inspection, with each permit standing on its own.
If a permit has expired, do not simply schedule another inspection and assume the record is still active.
Renewing an expired building or sub-permit
Clark County currently instructs applicants seeking renewal of qualifying Building Department permits to submit the appropriate application and mark the work description as a permit renewal. Renewal coordination is handled by email at ExpiredPermits@ClarkCountyNV.gov, generally using one email per permit and placing the permit number in the subject line.
The county’s published renewal-fee guidance states:
- If the permit expired less than one year after the original issuance date or last approved inspection, the renewal charge is generally one-half of the original permit fee, with a published minimum renewal permit fee of $54.
- If it has been expired more than one year, the published renewal fee is generally the full original permit fee.
Exception: Clark County states that its Simple Online Permits are not renewable. Once one of those permits expires, a new online permit submittal is required.
Review the current expired-permit renewal instructions.
Common Problems and the Fastest Practical Next Step
| Problem | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Not sure whether to use Clark County or City of Las Vegas | Search the exact address in Clark County’s jurisdiction map before starting an application. |
| Cannot find the correct permit type | Review application forms and Simple Online Permit categories, then call Permit Services before creating the wrong record. |
| Application is waiting in review | Check Citizen Access for reviewer comments, missing documents or outstanding review disciplines. |
| Permit shows Ready to Issue but cannot be paid | Check whether every prior-to-issuance condition has been marked complete. |
| Inspection option is missing | Confirm the permit is issued and check whether prerequisite inspections or clearances must occur first. |
| Inspection was not approved | Read the inspector’s result/comments, correct the identified work and request the appropriate reinspection. |
| Need old permit information | Search the address in Document Image Search and use the permit/inspection-history tools. |
| Permit expired | Follow the county renewal process before continuing regulated work or requesting inspections. |
| Need final occupancy approval | Verify all building, fire and applicable outside-agency clearances before requesting or expecting a CO/TCO. |
Useful Clark County Building Department Contacts
| Question | Contact |
|---|---|
| General Building Department questions | (702) 455-3000 |
| Building permit status, forms and general permit help | (702) 455-8972 · pacenter@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
| Electronic plan submittal | (702) 455-8972 · eplansubmittal@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
| Permit issuance | (702) 455-8972 · eplanissuance@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
| Plan examination | (702) 455-8011 · bldgsrvs@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
| Inspection scheduling | (702) 455-8040 · Inspschedule@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
| Online system technical concerns | TechSystemsSupport@ClarkCountyNV.gov |
Before You Submit: 60-Second Checklist
- Confirm the property’s actual jurisdiction.
- Make sure you are using the correct permit category.
- Verify whether plans are required.
- Use the latest application form.
- Prepare clear property and scope-of-work information.
- Confirm contractor or owner-builder requirements.
- Use the 2026 applicable code cycle for a new application.
- Upload complete, readable files.
- Monitor the portal and project email for corrections.
- Resolve pre-issuance conditions before trying to pay the final permit fees.
- Obtain the issued permit before beginning regulated work.
- Schedule inspections before work that must be inspected is concealed.
Taking a few minutes to get these basics right can save much more time later. Most frustrating permit problems start with a wrong jurisdiction, wrong application type, incomplete documents or a condition that was overlooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Clark County Building Department the same as the City of Las Vegas Building Department?
No. Clark County and the City of Las Vegas are separate permitting jurisdictions. A property can have a Las Vegas mailing address and still be in unincorporated Clark County. Check the exact property jurisdiction before applying.
2. Where is the Clark County Building Department located?
The main Building Department office is at 4701 West Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118. The main telephone number is (702) 455-3000.
3. Can I apply for a Clark County building permit online?
Yes. Clark County provides online permitting through its Citizen Access Portal. An account is required to submit, access and pay for permits.
4. How do I know whether my project needs a permit?
Permits are generally required for regulated construction, alterations, repairs, demolition, changes of occupancy and regulated electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas work. Clark County also publishes permit exemptions, so check the project’s exact scope before starting work.
5. How do I check a Clark County building permit status?
Use the Clark County Citizen Access Portal and search the applicable Building Department record. For property documents and older records, the county also provides Document Image Search and inspection-history tools.
6. How do I schedule a Clark County building inspection?
After the permit has been issued, use the county’s online inspection scheduler or the available inspection services. For scheduling, cancellation or rescheduling assistance, call (702) 455-8040.
7. How long does Clark County plan review take?
Published first-review goals vary by project. Clark County lists goals ranging from 7 days for qualifying Commercial 7-Day projects to 42 days for phased projects, with many standard commercial and residential reviews having 14- or 21-day goals. These are targets rather than guaranteed permit approval times.
8. How much is a Clark County building permit?
Permit costs depend on the project type, valuation, plan review and applicable additional fees. Clark County provides a fee calculator for estimates, but county staff determines the final amount.
9. What building codes apply in Clark County in 2026?
For new applications beginning January 11, 2026, Clark County adopted the 2024 IBC, IRC, IEBC, ISPSC, IECC, UMC and UPC together with the 2023 NEC and applicable local amendments.
10. When does a Clark County building permit expire?
Clark County states that permits generally expire 180 days from issuance or the last approved inspection. Renewal procedures depend on the permit type, and Simple Online Permits are not renewable after expiration.
Related Nevada and USBuilding Resources
Permit procedures change from one Nevada jurisdiction to another. If you are researching a project outside Clark County, our Carson City Building Department guide shows how a different Nevada jurisdiction handles permits and inspections.
You can also browse other U.S. building department guides. For information about how government sources, permit portals and code-adoption documents are reviewed, see the USBuilding.org Editorial Policy and About USBuilding.org.
Information reviewed: October 23, 2026. Building codes, portal functions, fees, forms, inspection options and office procedures can change. Check the linked official Clark County resource before completing the final transaction or beginning regulated work.