Design Requirements

Design requirements for building in unincorporated Washoe County are developed by the Nevada Construction Industry Relations Council (NCIRC).

Blue Book

"The 2020 Blue Book": A Reference Guide for the Nevada Design and Construction Industry" (2020 update).

The Blue Book was written to assist building officials, registrants, licensees, and the public in understanding the laws governing building design and construction in Nevada. It is a guideline intended as a source of basic information, referencing the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), Nevada Administrative Codes (NAC), building codes, city and county ordinances, board policies, and recommended minimum practices and standards. It also contains a “Frequently Asked Questions” section at the back of the book.

Information on Nevada Construction Industry Relations Council and copies of the Blue Book are available on the board website.

Northern Nevada Code Amendments

Design information on all local building code amendments are included in the 2024 Northern Nevada Code Amendments which are included in adopted building codes for Washoe County.

Most Requested Design Criteria:

(Wind, Seismic Design, Snow Loads, Frost Lines, Foundations)

I.R.C. Table R301.2 Northern Nevada Amendment:

International Residential Code Table R301.2 - Climatic and Geography Design Criteria
Ground Snow Load	Wind Design				Seismic Design Category	Subject to Damage From			Winter Design Temp	Ice Barrier Under-layment Required	Flood Hazards	Air Freezing Index	Mean Annual Temp
	Speed (MPH)	Topo-graphic Effects	Special Wind Region	Windborne Debris Zone		Weather	Frost Line Depth	Termite
See IBC Table 1608.2.1	120	No	Yes	No	D2	Severe	24"	Moderate to Heavy	17°F	Yes above 5300'	See WCC Chapter 110	594	49.4°F

Basic Wind Speed

I.B.C. Chapter 16, Section 1609.3.2 Northern Nevada Amendment:

International Building Code Table 1609.3.2 Special Wind Region Defined: Minimum Basic Wind Speeds
Risk Category	Ultimate Wind Speed Vult (mph)	Vasd Wind Speed 3 - 2 sec gust (mph)
I	110	85
II & 2024 IRC	120	93
III	130	101
IV	135	104

Table Notes:

Air density corrections to design wind pressures are prohibited. The conversions from Vult to Vasd are based on Table 1609.3.1

Seismic Design

I.B.C. Chapter 16, Section 1613.2
Based on the structure risk category using Figures 1613.2(1) through 1613.2(7). Determined in accordance with ASCE 7.

I.R.C. Table R301.2: Use Category 'D2'.

Snow Load Requirements

Ground snow loads in Washoe County shall be taken from Table 1608.2.1 or the ASCE Hazard Tool.

**International Building Code Table 1608.2.1 Ground Snow Loads for Northern Nevada Locations within Washoe County**
Elevation	West of US 395				East of US 395				Lake Tahoe Basin
	Risk Category:
	I	II	III	IV	I	II	III	IV	I	II	III	IV
4500	35	43	48	52	35	43	48	52
5000	35	43	48	52	35	43	48	52
5100	47	59	65	71	36	45	49	54
5200	60	75	82	90	38	48	52	57
5300	74	92	101	110	39	49	54	59
5400	86	108	118	129	40	50	55	60
5500	99	123	136	148	43	53	59	64
6000	163	203	224	244	50	62	68	74	252	315	346	378
6500	196	245	269	294	50	62	68	74	269	336	370	406
7000	229	286	315	343	66	82	90	98	286	358	393	429
7500	246	308	338	369	66	82	90	98	303	379	417	455
8000	262	328	360	393	99	123	136	148	320	400	440	480
8500	278	348	382	417	99	123	136	148	338	422	464	506
9000	310	388	426	465	131	163	180	196	378	472	519	566
9500	343	429	472	515	163	203	224	244	446	558	613	669
10000	408	510	561	612	163	203	224	244	480	600	660	720
Footnotes: 1. Final roof snow design load Ps or Pf shall not be less than 29 psf 2. Refer to local jurisdiction ordinances for other Ground Snow Load information S.R. = State Route 3. Intermediate values may be determined by interpolation U.S. = U.S. Highway 4. The City of Elko shall not have ground snow loads less than 30 psf and Churchill County shall not have ground snow loads less than 20 psf * Ground snow loads in Washoe County shall be taken from Tables 1608.2.1 or the ASCE Hazard Tool. Ground snow loads from the ASCE Hazard tool shall use the ASCE/SEI 7-22 standard. The minimum ground snow load for a structure shall not be less than the lower of the two values from Table 1608.2.1 and the ASCE Hazard Tool.

Important Note:

Table 1608.2.1 refers to the old Hwy 395

Most projects including all Residential Projects fall under Risk Category II.

Instructions to Determine Elevation:

Click on the following link: Geographic Information Systems
If you agree with the disclaimer, click on: "I agree" at the bottom
Enter the property Address or Assessor parcel number in the upper right hand corner.
Click on Basemaps on top ribbon.
Click on Contours.
Elevation lines should now be viewable over the property map.
If no contour (elevation lines) show up, Washoe County does not have accurate elevations for your site.

USGS topo maps may alternatively help you to determine your property's elevation. Please consult your designer. A Nevada registered surveyor can also determine your property elevation.

Contact For More Information

Washoe County Building and Safety
building@washoecounty.gov
(775) 328 - 2020