Grading and drainage, slopes, landscape, masonry walls, flatwork, driveways, wet and dry utilities
Drainage Study — When Required
A drainage study by a registered Nevada Civil Engineer is required before civil improvement plans can be accepted. Not required for projects under 2 acres outside FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas that are not adjacent to a CCRFCD facility.
Drainage Certification — Required Before Final Inspection
A registered design professional must certify that site conditions at time of final construction provide positive drainage per the approved drainage plan. Must be submitted to and approved by the Building Inspection Department.
Landscaping — Turf Restrictions (Henderson)
New turf in residential front yards is prohibited. Side and rear yard turf limited to 50% or less of total square footage. No new turf in common areas or medians. Front and street side yards must have desert/drought-tolerant landscaping with in-ground irrigation.
Masonry Fences and Retaining Walls — Permit Required
Separate building permit required per parcel for fences, walls, and retaining walls. Retaining walls retaining more than 24 inches require engineering by a registered design professional. Footings must be designed by a registered Civil or Structural Engineer for all imposed loads including soil pressure, surcharge, seismic, and hydrostatic forces per IBC Chapter 18. Default design parameters where no soils report: assume 60 psf/ft lateral soil pressure, Exposure Class S2 (severe sulfate exposure) — concrete minimum f'c 4,000 psi for footings in sulfate soils. No fence or wall may block a natural flow path. Prohibited materials: pointed pickets, electrocution components, embedded glass, barbed/razor wire.
Private Utilities — Water and Sewer Standards
Private water and sewer laterals must conform to UDACS 2025 (water) and DCSWCS 2019 (sewer) with the City of Henderson Addendum. Water hydraulic analysis approval required before civil plan acceptance.
Retaining Wall — Footing and Structural Design Requirements
Retaining walls over 24 inches (top of footing to top of wall) require a building permit and engineering by a registered Civil or Structural Engineer. Footing design must account for: lateral soil pressure (minimum 60 psf/ft unless geotechnical report specifies otherwise), surcharge loads, seismic forces (Seismic Design Category D), and hydrostatic pressure where applicable. Concrete minimum compressive strength f'c = 3,000 psi general; f'c = 4,000 psi where soils report indicates Exposure Class S2 (severe sulfate) conditions, which is common in Southern Nevada soils. Footings must extend below frost depth (minimum 12 inches below finish grade in the Las Vegas Valley). Required inspections: footing excavation, reinforcing steel placement, drainage/dampproofing before backfill.
ADA Accessibility — Accessible Routes on Private Site
All site improvements on multifamily and non-residential projects must provide accessible routes per ICC A117.1-2017 (adopted by reference through IBC Chapter 11). Accessible route requirements: minimum 44-inch clear width (36 inches where not a primary route), maximum running slope 1:20 (5%), maximum cross-slope 1:48 (2%). Accessible parking spaces: van-accessible spaces minimum 11 ft wide with 5-ft access aisle; standard accessible spaces minimum 8 ft wide with 5-ft access aisle. Curb ramps at all accessible route crossings of curbs: maximum slope 1:12 (8.33%), minimum width 36 inches, detectable warning surface required. Single-family residential is generally exempt from ADA; multifamily with 4+ units must provide accessible units per Fair Housing Act.
ADA Accessibility — Pool and Amenity Areas
Swimming pools serving multifamily or common-use facilities must provide at least one accessible means of entry per ADA Standards Section 242: primary entry must be a sloped entry (ramp to water) or pool lift; secondary entry if pool has 300+ linear feet of wall. Spas: at least one accessible entry (pool lift or transfer wall). Accessible route from accessible parking to pool entry required. Recreational facilities (sport courts, playgrounds, clubhouses): must comply with ADA Standards Sections 206–240 for accessible routes, clear floor space, reach ranges, and operable parts. Playground equipment: 50% of elevated play components accessible via ramp or transfer system per ADA Standards Section 240.
Drainage Study Requirements
A Technical Drainage Study must be conditionally approved before submitting improvement plans. Minimum finish floor elevation is 6 inches above the highest adjacent top of curb. Minimum road slope is 0.4%; where this cannot be met, an 18-inch minimum storm drain must be provided.
Masonry Retaining Walls
Retaining walls must follow SNBO Regional Standard Detail B-100-2. Wall heights may not exceed 14 feet above adjacent property in any case. Walls shown on civil plans are for grading review only — a separate building permit and building department inspection is required for all walls.
On-Site Sewer Laterals
Each townhome lot must have an individual sewer lateral to its mapped lot. Sewer laterals shall not be located under residential driveways unless no alternative; if unavoidable, a traffic-rated cleanout per SD-24 must be installed outside ROW. PVC pipe: ASTM D-3034 SDR 35 with sand bedding.
Flatwork & Pavement Standards
Off-site concrete: Type V cement required, minimum 3,000 PSI @ 28 days, mix designs approved by City prior to use. AC pavement must be 1/2 inch above lip of all gutters after compaction. Asphalt mix design must be submitted and approved by City Engineer prior to placement in City ROW.
Underground Utilities
Underground utilities are required by default. A waiver may be requested for non-underground utilities. Contractor must provide written documentation certifying all locating devices are placed and verified before road base construction. CLV does not use marker balls or pipe locator ribbon — uses open-trench utility survey inspection.
SWPPP & Stormwater Requirements
Contractor must remove all sediment, mud, and debris from public ROW daily. Temporary or permanent stabilization must be installed within 14 days after construction ceases. Inspect all disturbed areas weekly and within 24 hours after any rain event of 0.5 inches or more. Post-Construction BMPs are mandatory permanent regulatory controls.
Landscaping — Two Trees Required Per Lot (NLV)
Each residential lot must have minimum two trees planted between sidewalk and front of house at time of construction, sized 24-inch box (minimum 1.5-inch caliper at 6 in above root ball). In-ground irrigation system required for front and street side yards. Front and corner side yards must have oasis, desert, or drought-tolerant landscaping with minimum 1.5 five-gallon shrubs per 50 sq ft.
Fence and Wall Heights — NLV Zoning Standards
Maximum fence/wall height in rear and side yards: 8 feet. Front yard: no fence or wall exceeding 48 inches (4 feet). Front yard fence above 36 inches must be minimum 25% open (decorative transparency requirement). Retaining walls over 24 in require building permit and engineering.
Drainage Study and Certification — Same as Henderson
Drainage study by registered Nevada Civil Engineer required before civil plan acceptance. Not required for projects under 2 acres outside FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas not adjacent to CCRFCD facility. Drainage waiver available for qualifying small projects. Drainage compliance certification required before final inspection.
Turf Restrictions — SNWA (NLV)
Same SNWA turf restrictions apply as Henderson. No new turf in front yards. Same AB 356 nonfunctional grass law applies. HOA common area and non-residential nonfunctional grass removal deadline: December 31, 2026.
Private Utilities — UDACS 2025 / DCSWCS 2019 (NLV)
Same UDACS 2025 (water) and DCSWCS 2019 (sewer) standards apply, with NLV-specific Addendums. NV Energy Electric Service Requirements (Southern Nevada) govern dry utilities.