Sub-sections in this division:
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.
IBC 2024 Chapter 11 / ICC A117.1-2017 / ADA Standards for Accessible Design
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.
ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Sections 240-242 / IBC Chapter 11
ADA Accessibility — Public Sidewalks and Pedestrian Ramps
All public sidewalks and pedestrian facilities in public right-of-way must comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and PROWAG (Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines). Pedestrian curb ramps: maximum slope 1:12 (8.33%) in direction of travel, maximum 1:48 (2%) cross-slope, minimum 48-inch clear landing at top, detectable warning surface (truncated domes) 24 inches deep across full width in yellow or contrasting color. Sidewalk cross-slope maximum 2% (1:48). Sidewalk running slope follows roadway grade; where grade exceeds 5%, handrails are required at 8.33% or steeper. Accessible pedestrian signals required at signalized intersections per MUTCD. Developer is responsible for installing compliant curb ramps at all intersections within or adjacent to the subdivision.
ADA Standards for Accessible Design / PROWAG / MUTCD / Henderson Development Code Chapter 19.14
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)
Grading Permit Trigger
Grading permit required when total cut + fill exceeds 100 cubic yards OR site exceeds 1.0 acre.
Henderson Municipal Code Chapter 15.01
Grading Plan — Registered Design Professional Required
All projects requiring grading must have a grading plan prepared, stamped, and signed by a registered design professional per 2024 IBC Chapter 18 and Appendix J.
IRC R401.5 (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
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
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.
CLV Minimum Drainage Study Criteria (Standard Form 2 Supplement, revised 5/7/26); LVMC 14.18.130
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
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.
CLV General Notes §5, §8, §17 (Jan 2026)
Foundation Drainage
Section R401.3 is locally amended for desert conditions. Drainage must slope away from foundations. The SNBO amendment modifies the base IRC requirement to address local soil and drainage conditions.
SNBO 2024 IRC Amendment §R401.3
Masonry Fence Standard Detail
Masonry fences must be constructed per SNBO Regional Standard Detail B-100-1. Fences with wrought iron must follow B-101. Wrought iron fences follow B-114. Chain link fences follow B-115. Walls shown on civil plans are for grading review only — a separate building permit is required.
CLV General Notes §16; SNBO B-100-1
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.
CLV General Notes §16; SNBO B-100-2
Mass Grading Guidelines
CLV publishes specific Mass Grading Guidelines governing large-scale grading operations for subdivision development. All revisions to approved grading plans require prior written approval of the City Engineer.
CLV Mass Grading Guidelines; CLV General Notes §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
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.
CLV General Notes — Stormwater Notes (Jan 2026); Nevada General Permit NVR100000; LVMC 14.18.130