Sub-sections in this division:
Air Sealing — Blower Door Test Required
Residential units in Climate Zone 3 must achieve 3.0 ACH50 via third-party blower door test. Alternatives: 4.0 ACH50 non-sprinklered, 4.5 ACH50 sprinklered. Qualifying air barriers include: 1/2 in gypsum board, 5/8 in Portland cement stucco, closed-cell spray foam (1.5 in min), and others per IECC C402.6.2.3.1.
IECC R402 / C402 (Climate Zone 3)
Attic Ventilation — Climate Zone 3B (Henderson)
For Climate Zone 3B (Henderson below 4,000 ft elevation): no rigid board or air-impermeable insulation is required for condensation control at the roof plane. This is a relaxation from colder-climate requirements.
IRC Table R806.5 (locally amended)
Electrical Service — NEC 2023 with Southern Nevada Amendments
Electrical work governed by 2023 NEC with Southern Nevada Amendments. Standard new residential service is 200-amp minimum. NV Energy Electric Service Requirements (Southern Nevada) govern utility service conductors and meter installation. Pool electrical: minimum #10 wire feeder with 30-amp breaker; timer boxes are NOT permitted as disconnect for pool motors.
2023 NEC (Clark County Amended) / HMC Chapter 15.28
Energy Efficiency — Insulation Minimums (Climate Zone 3)
Ceiling: R-38. Wood-framed wall: R-20 or R-13+5ci or 0+15ci. Floor: R-19 or R-13+5ci or 15ci. Unheated slab edge: none required. Vertical fenestration: max U-factor 0.30, max SHGC 0.25. Skylight: max U-factor 0.53, max SHGC 0.28.
IECC 2024 Tables R402.1.2 and R402.1.3 (Climate Zone 3)
Exterior Stucco (Three-Coat System)
Three-coat stucco over metal lath or paper-backed lath: scratch coat ≥ 3/8 in, brown coat ≥ 3/8 in, finish coat ≥ 1/8 in. Total minimum thickness 7/8 in (or 3/4 in with self-furring lath). Lath per ASTM C1063. Grade D paper (60-minute) or ASTM E2556 Type II water-resistant barrier required behind stucco.
IRC R703.6 / IBC Section 2512
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)
HVAC — ACCA Manual J Design Required
HVAC systems must be designed using ACCA Manual J load calculations based on local climate criteria (Climate Zone 3B, mean annual temp 66.3°F). Duct sealing and insulation required per 2024 IECC; ducts in unconditioned spaces must be insulated.
UMC 2024 with Southern Nevada Amendments / HMC Chapter 15.24
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
Roofing — Wood Shingles and Wood Shakes Prohibited
Wood shingles and wood shakes are prohibited as a roofing material due to fire risk in desert climate. All roofing materials must be Class A fire-rated.
IRC R905.7 / R905.8 (locally amended)
Townhouse — Structural Independence
Each townhouse unit must be structurally independent except: shared foundations, structural sheathing fastened to common wall framing, nonstructural coverings, flashing at common wall roof termination, and units separated by common wall per R302.2.2.
IRC R302.2.6 (locally amended)
Vapor Retarder Under Slab
Minimum 10-mil polyethylene meeting ASTM E1745 Class A; joints lapped not less than 6 inches. Exceptions: garages, unheated storage under 70 sq ft, driveways/walks/patios.
IRC R506.3.3 (locally amended)
Weep Screed — Stucco Base
Minimum 26-gauge galvanized corrosion-resistant weep screed with 3.5 in vertical attachment flange. Placed at or below foundation plate line; minimum 4 in above grade and 2 in above paved areas. Pool note: maintain minimum 2 in clearance between cool deck/patio and stucco weep screed.
IRC R703.7.2.1 / IBC Section 2512.1.2
AC Drainage Swale at Stucco Weep Screed
A 2-inch clearance must be maintained between the cool deck and stucco weep screed. Standard Detail G-100 governs AC drainage swale bypass details at buildings.
SNBO Standard Detail G-100
Attic Ventilation
Attic ventilation location, size, and calculations must be shown on plans. Table R806.5 is amended for Southern Nevada desert conditions, reducing minimum ventilation ratios compared to base IRC to account for the dry climate.
SNBO 2024 IRC Amendment, Table R806.5; R806
Flat/Low-Slope Roofing
IRC Sections R905.7 (built-up roofing) and R905.8 (modified bitumen) are amended for local desert climate conditions addressing high UV exposure and extreme heat.
SNBO 2024 IRC Amendment §R905.7, §R905.8
Foundation Waterproofing & Dampproofing
Section R406.2 (foundation waterproofing and dampproofing) is specifically amended for Southern Nevada conditions. When basements are installed, plans must show a cross-section with materials, exterior waterproofing, and egress window well details.
SNBO 2024 IRC Amendment §R406.2; IRC R406
HVAC Plan Requirements
Plans must show heating/cooling unit capacity and location. Duct work type and insulation must be specified. Exhaust fans, dryer vent location, and attic/roof-mounted equipment support details are required. Access and platform must be detailed when roof pitch exceeds 4:12. Duct area detector tests are required.
CLV Residential Submittal Requirements §1.8; 2024 UMC
Wall Coverings & Stucco
Exterior wall coverings must specify components, thickness, and material on elevation drawings. One-coat stucco systems require an approved applicator — owner/builders cannot apply one-coat stucco systems. Roofing must be specified by type, manufacturer name, and product name.
CLV Residential Submittal Requirements §1.5
Adopted Codes — Same SNBO Amendments as Henderson
City of North Las Vegas uses the same 2024 IBC, IRC, UPC, UMC, NEC, IECC, and ISPSC with Southern Nevada (SNBO) amendments as Henderson. All technical building requirements in Categories 1–5 are identical. Effective date: January 11, 2026. See Henderson entries for full technical details.
NLV Municipal Code Chapter 15.72 / NLV Current Adopted Codes
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.
UDACS 2025 + NLV Addendum / DCSWCS 2019 + NLV Addendum