ADU Rules in Las Vegas, Nevada

Important Jurisdiction Note

The City of Las Vegas governs only its incorporated city limits. Large portions of the Las Vegas Valley — including the Las Vegas Strip, Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise, and Sunrise Manor — are unincorporated Clark County and are governed by Clark County Planning, not the City of Las Vegas. Confirm your property's jurisdiction before applying for permits.

Nevada has no enacted statewide ADU preemption. AB 383 is an appliance-energy-efficiency bill, not ADU. ADU rules are set locally — contact the city or county planning department.

Nevada Assembly Bill 383, enacted in 2023, is a landmark statewide law that requires all Nevada cities and counties to allow ADUs in single-family residential zones with ministerial (by-right) approval. This means:

• No discretionary review or public hearings for conforming ADUs
• Local ordinances must permit at least one ADU per single-family lot
• Owner-occupancy requirements are restricted
• Permit decisions must be issued within defined timeframes

Nevada has no enacted statewide ADU preemption. AB 383 is an appliance-energy-efficiency bill, not ADU. ADU rules are set locally — contact the city or county planning department.

Permitted ADU Types in Las Vegas

The City of Las Vegas allows the following ADU types in residential zones:

• Detached ADU — a separate structure on the same lot as the primary home
• Attached ADU — addition connected to the primary home
• Junior ADU (JADU) — conversion of space within the primary dwelling, up to 500 sq ft
• Garage conversion — converting an existing attached or detached garage

General Standards

• Maximum size: Typically up to 1,200 sq ft for detached ADUs, or 50% of primary dwelling floor area, whichever is less
• Setbacks: Generally 5 ft rear and side setbacks for detached ADUs; confirm with city for your specific zone
• Height: Usually limited to 16 ft for detached ADUs, or to match primary structure in some cases
• Lot coverage: ADU footprint counts toward overall lot coverage limits

Water Conservation — SNWA Requirements

Las Vegas is served by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), which enforces strict water-efficiency standards. Adding an ADU increases water demand on the parcel. Landscaping for new ADUs must use drought-tolerant or xeriscape plantings; traditional turf lawns are restricted or prohibited for new installations under SNWA's conservation programs. Budget for water-efficient landscaping when planning your ADU.

Permit Process

Nevada has no enacted statewide ADU preemption. AB 383 is an appliance-energy-efficiency bill, not ADU. ADU rules are set locally — contact the city or county planning department.

Contact Information

• City of Las Vegas Department of Planning: (702) 229-6301 | lasvegasnevada.gov/planning
• City of Las Vegas Building & Safety: (702) 229-6251
• Clark County Assessor (to verify jurisdiction): clarkcountynv.gov/assessor

Nevada has no enacted statewide ADU preemption. AB 383 is an appliance-energy-efficiency bill, not ADU. ADU rules are set locally — contact the city or county planning department.