ADU Rules in Las Vegas, NV (2026)

Las Vegas, NV permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on residential properties. ADUs — also called granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, or secondary suites — are secondary housing units on a single-family or multifamily lot. State and local law actively preempts local restrictions, making ADU approval a streamlined ministerial process. In Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Building & Safety Division handles ADU permit applications. Below you will find the current size limits, setbacks, fees, and timeline for building an ADU in Las Vegas.

ADU Size Limits

ADU Size Limits in Las Vegas: Detached ADU: up to 1200 sq ft (max height: 16 feet). Attached ADU: Up to 50% of primary dwelling floor area. Las Vegas Municipal Code Title 19. Detached ADUs limited to 1,200 sqft or 50% of primary dwelling gross floor area, whichever is less. Nevada AB 383 requires that ADU size limits not effectively prohibit ADU development. Las Vegas does not use the JADU concept from California law.

Permit Fees

ADU Permit Fees in Las Vegas: Plan check fee: $200–$800. Building permit fee: $500–$2,500 based on valuation. Impact fees: $1,500–$5,000 (Clark County Water Reclamation District, traffic impact). School fees: $1,000–$2,500 (Clark County School District development fee applies). Total estimated permit cost: $3,000–$10,000 total fees. Las Vegas City fees are supplemented by Clark County School District development fees — one of the more significant ADU cost factors in the valley. Clark County Water Reclamation District connection and capacity fees apply for new ADUs. Fee estimator available at the Las Vegas permit portal.

Permit Timeline

Las Vegas ADU Permit Timeline: Nevada AB 383 mandates processing within 45 days of a complete application. Las Vegas Building & Safety Division administers permits. Electronic permits available through the Las Vegas Permit Portal. Apply through the Las Vegas Building & Safety Division online permit portal. Phone: (702) 229-6251.

Setback Requirements

ADU Setback Requirements in Las Vegas: Front setback: follows zone standard. Side setback: 3 feet. Rear setback: 5 feet. Las Vegas allows detached ADUs with 5 ft rear setback and 3 ft side setback per Nevada AB 383 minimums as adopted in local code. ADUs must maintain a minimum 6 ft separation from the primary dwelling. Corner lots may have additional setback requirements. Las Vegas Municipal Code Title 19, Part A — General Zoning Standards.

Parking Requirements

Parking Requirements: No additional parking required for ADUs within one-half mile of a fixed transit stop. One space required per ADU otherwise. Nevada AB 383 prevents parking requirements that effectively prohibit ADU development. Las Vegas Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) bus routes may qualify.

Restrictions & Requirements

• •ADU must be on same lot as primary single-family residence
• •Maximum one ADU per single-family lot (R-E, R-D, R-1, R-2 zones)
• •ADU must have separate entrance from primary dwelling
• •ADU cannot be subdivided and sold separately from the primary lot
• •Swimming pools and other recreational structures must comply with separate setback standards
• •Alley-loaded lots may allow detached garage conversion to ADU with reduced setbacks

How Many ADUs Are Allowed?

Number of ADUs Allowed in Las Vegas: Single-family lots: 1. Multifamily properties: 1 per 4 existing units in R-3/R-4/R-5 zones. Nevada AB 383 targets single-family zones. Las Vegas allows 1 detached ADU per single-family lot. Multifamily allowances follow Las Vegas Municipal Code Title 19 density provisions.

State Law & Preemption

Historic District Considerations

Frequently Asked Questions