Sub-sections in this division:
Civil Plan Prerequisites — Henderson
Before civil improvement plans can be accepted: (1) Approved TIA or exemption letter, (2) Approved Technical Hydrology Study or exemption, (3) Water Hydraulic Analysis approval, (4) Geotechnical report (4 copies, sealed, within 1 year), (5) Conditions of Approval from Planning, (6) 60% Design Review completion from Utility Services for backbone water/sewer, (7) Grading permit application submitted to Building Division.
Henderson Civil Improvements Submittal Checklist
Foundation Drainage — Grade Slope Requirements
Grade must slope away at minimum 5% for 10 ft from foundation. Impervious surfaces within 10 ft: minimum 2% slope away. Swales within 10 ft: minimum 1% along flow line. Exception: low expansive/collapsible/soluble soils permit 2% slope.
IRC R401.3 (locally amended)
Foundation Waterproofing — When Required
Required only where geotechnical report indicates high water table or severe soil-water conditions. Where required: from finished grade to top of footing or 6 in below basement floor. Options include two-ply hot-mopped felts, 55 lb roll roofing, 40-mil polymer-modified asphalt, 60-mil flexible polymer cement, 1/8 in cement-based fiber-reinforced coating, or 60-mil solvent-free liquid-applied synthetic rubber.
IRC R406.2 (locally amended)
Geotechnical / Soils Investigation Required
All structures must have a geotechnical report per 2024 IBC Chapter 18. Exceptions: single-story structures under 600 sq ft, decks/shade structures/patio covers, and ground-mounted solar systems accessory to 1- or 2-family dwellings (use assumed values: 1,000 psf vertical bearing, 100 psf/ft lateral bearing, 0.25 friction, Exposure Class S2 sulfate).
IRC R401.4 (locally amended)
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.
IBC 2024 Appendix Q / Henderson Development Code Section 19.10.6
Pool Structural Design — Default Parameters
Must conform to Table 307.2.2 standards and be designed per IBC structural requirements. Default design parameters (without site-specific soils report): minimum 60 psf/ft lateral bearing pressure, Exposure Class S2 (severe sulfate). If groundwater present: hydrostatic relief valve required at lowest point.
ISPSC Section 307.2.2 (locally amended)
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.
IBC 2024 Appendix Q / IBC Chapter 18 / Henderson Municipal Code Section 15.08
Foundation Requirements & Soils Report
Plans must show all footings, posts, bearing walls, slabs, stem walls, anchor bolts, hold-downs, reinforcement size/depth, and material specs. A soils report is required for all new structures with a footprint of 600 sq ft or greater.
CLV Residential Submittal Requirements §1.3.B; IRC R401.4
Pool Structural & Soils Requirements
Two options for soils: (A) designer certifies worst-case conditions (min. lateral bearing 60 psf/ft, Exposure Class S2 severe sulfate); or (B) site-specific soils report. An excavation-only permit is available, but no pool permit is issued until soils report is received.
SNBO 2024 ISPSC Amendment §307.2.2
Special Inspections (QAA Program)
Special inspections are required per the CLV Quality Assurance and Approval (QAA) procedures. QAA1 through QAA9 procedures govern reporting, non-compliance, revisions, final reports, structural observation, and epoxy anchor inspections.
CLV QAA Special Inspection Program; IBC Chapter 17
Truss Submittals
Truss design and shop drawings must be prepared, stamped, and signed by a Nevada-licensed engineer and submitted prior to permit issuance (or via deferred submittal). The truss fabricator must appear on the Clark County approved fabricators list. The Engineer of Record must confirm truss calculations comply with design intent.
CLV Residential Submittal Requirements §1.3.C; IRC R802