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
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.
Henderson Building Division requirement
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.
Henderson Development Code Section 19.14.6
Fire Hydrant Spacing — Residential Areas
Maximum hydrant spacing 600 ft in residential areas. At least one hydrant within 100 ft of subdivision entrance. Hydrants placed at all intersections first, then alternating spacing along streets.
2024 IFC Southern Nevada Amendments, Appendix C
Fireplace Restrictions — Las Vegas Valley (Below 4,000 ft)
No solid-fuel burning fireplace permitted below 4,000 ft elevation in the Las Vegas Valley Hydrographic Basin unless EPA Phase II certified or a masonry fireplace with gas logs and sealed glass cover. Required sign: "Approved for fuel gas use only." Sleeping-room fireplaces require a permanent 4-in fresh air duct from exterior to firebox.
IRC R1007 / R1008 (locally added via SNBO amendment)
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)
Gas Piping — CSST Bonding Required
Residential gas piping governed by Uniform Fuel Gas Code (part of UPC) and NFPA 54. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) must be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system.
UPC / NFPA 54
Pool Backwash Water Discharge
Backwash and drain water must discharge to sanitary sewer or approved on-site disposal with air gap; no direct connection to the disposal system is permitted.
ISPSC Section 321.1 (locally amended)
Pool Inspection Sequence (Henderson)
Required inspections in order: 901 Pre-Gunite → 903 Gas Test → 905 Pre-Deck → 908 Spa Only → 910 Pre-Plaster/Final.
Henderson Building and Fire Safety
Pool Setback from Structure — 60 Inches Minimum
Pool or spa must not be closer than 60 inches (5 feet) to any building or structure and must not encroach into public utility easements. Exception requires a Nevada-licensed Structural or Civil Engineer substantiation.
ISPSC Section 327.2 (locally amended)
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.
UDACS 2025 / DCSWCS 2019
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
Water Main — Public Backbone Minimum Standards
Water main minimum 8-inch diameter for lines feeding multiple hydrants. Dead-end maximum: 150 ft of 6-inch pipe feeding one hydrant. Working pressure minimum 150 psi. Governed by UDACS 2025 + Henderson UDACS Addendum.
UDACS 2025 + Henderson Addendum (effective March 1, 2025)
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
CCTV Video Inspection — Sewer & Storm Drain
CCTV video inspection is required for all sewer and storm drains prior to acceptance. Videos must be performed per the Design and Construction Standards for Wastewater Collection Systems, latest edition.
CLV General Notes §22 (Jan 2026)
Climatic & Geographic Design Criteria
Las Vegas design values (below 1,600 ft elevation): Ground snow load 5 psf; Design wind speed 98 mph; Seismic Design Category D; Frost line depth 1 ft; Termite: Moderate to Heavy. These SNBO-published values replace the generic IRC table and govern all structural design.
SNBO 2024 IRC Amendment, Table R301.2
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
Fire Hydrants & Access
A Civil Fire Flow Information Block must be included on all civil plans. Civil General Notes for Hydrants and Access must be referenced on all improvement plans.
CLV Civil General Notes for Hydrants and Access
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
Gas Piping Under Slabs
Gas piping installed underground beneath buildings is extensively amended. All gas lines under slabs and foundations must be sleeved per UPC §1210.1.6. Three standard details govern installation: P-102, P-103, and P-104. LP gas procedures follow P-101.
SNBO 2024 UPC §1210.1.6 as amended; CLV Standard Details P-101 through P-104
Plumbing Plan Requirements
Plans must show location, size, and material of all water and DWV piping. Fixture types shown by symbol with water supply fixture unit count and required meter size per UPC Table 610.4. Gas piping requires BTU/h demands, pipe lengths, and materials. Water heater location, type, and combustion air requirements must be shown.
CLV Residential Submittal Requirements §1.9; 2024 UPC
Pool Size Limit — LVVWD 600 SF Cap
The Las Vegas Valley Water District limits the total combined water surface area of new swimming pools, spas, and water features on a single-family residential parcel to a maximum of 600 square feet. LVVWD must approve all pool/spa permits prior to CLV permit issuance.
LVVWD Service Rules; 2024 ISPSC
Public Sewer Main Standards
Public sewer mains located 5 feet from street centerline where possible; not closer than 8 ft from back of curb with sidewalk, 10 ft without. Minimum pipe: 6-inch for multi-family/commercial. Capacity: d/D = 0.50 max for 8-15 inch pipe. No HDPE allowed. C900 DR-25 preferred. No public pumping stations permitted in Las Vegas.
CLV DCSWCS Addendum (2019, 4th Ed., revised 02/24/2025) §2.3.2, §2.3.20, §3.7
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
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
Civil Plan Compliance Requirements (NLV)
Civil plans must comply with: NLV Municipal Code Titles 16 and 17, Clark County Area Standard Drawings (with NLV supplement), NLV Master Plan of Streets and Highways, UDACS 2025 + NLV Addendum, DCSWCS 2019 + NLV Addendum, Water Service Rules, and NLV-specific development standards. Traffic Impact Analysis required or exemption letter from City Traffic Engineer.
NLV Civil Improvement Plan Review
Clark County Area Standard Drawings — N-Series (NLV)
All public offsite improvements must conform to Clark County Area Uniform Standard Drawings (RTC). Includes N-series drawings specific to North Las Vegas. Same fire hydrant spacing (600 ft max residential) and streetlight standards as Henderson apply.
NLV Municipal Code Title 16 Chapter 16.24
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.
NLV Municipal Code Title 16 Chapter 16.20
LVVWD Pool Size Limit — 600 sq ft (NLV)
Same Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) limit applies in NLV: maximum 600 sq ft combined pool/spa/water feature surface area per single-family parcel. LVVWD must approve pool permit before NLV issues building permit.
LVVWD Policy
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
Subdivision Improvements — Title 16 Chapter 16.24 (NLV)
Required improvements include: fire hydrants, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, pavement, aggregate base, streetlights, street name signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, traffic control devices, survey monuments, sewers, utilities, flood control and drainage facilities. All per Clark County Area Standard Drawings and NLV development standards.
NLV Municipal Code Chapter 16.24