Building

Building Latest Updates

Monday January 22nd -Friday January 27th 2026 EduCode will be taking place.

• EduCode is a once a year event that is required to ensure the Required Continuing Education for the Building Department staff is achieved. All Building Inspectors and Plans Examiners workloads will be significantly impacted, as a result Building Inspections and Plan Review Times will be modified and/or pushed.
• <Please Plan Accordingly with regards scheduling inspections and/or submitting for building plan reviews during this week.>

Notice: Washoe County is currently experiencing complications with all external communications systems. Complications began on 1/22/2026 and are on going.

• If you have uploaded documents, made a payment, or sent an email to staff for any building permits on 1/22/2026 and after, please reach back out to confirm that we have received your communication. 
• Automated communications from Accela as well as emails sent from building staff on 1/22/2026 and after might not have been received by intended recipients. Please reach out to building staff if you were expecting an email. 

Regional Road Impact Fees (RRIF)

RTC will be increasing the RRIF fees by approximately 4.5% as of January 31, 2026. The updated fee schedule has not yet been posted but more information can be found on RTC's website. 

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) Fee Changes

NLTFPD has made changes to their hourly review rates that will go into effect in the near future. 

• Hourly fees rate will be increasing from $87/hour to $120/hour.
• Fire review fees on building permits will have a 1-hour minimum cost. 
  • Fire review fees will be set as 12% of the permit fees or the 1-hour minimum ($120), which ever amount is greater.

Information and Website updates

The Washoe County Building department is in the process of updating all informational handouts, applications, and other documents as well as updating the website to meet accessibility standards. 

• For all commercial and residential construction projects that require special inspections and/or structural observation documents, please complete the updated forms as the previous documents will no longer be accepted. 
  • Special inspections: Special Inspections Testing Agreement 
  • Structural Observation: Structural Observation Agreement 

New Building Codes are here.  

Washoe County has adopted the 2024 editions of the ICC codes and the 2023 NEC, effective July 1, 2025. A 6-month grace period was given to provide a transition during which either the new codes or the old codes could be used for submittal. As of January 1, 2026 compliance with the 2024 code editions is required for all submittals. 

**Note: Permits previously submitted prior to January 1, 2026 under the 2018 codes are still permitted under the codes in which they were submitted. .**

The updated code editions include:

• 2024 Northern Nevada Amendments by the Northern Nevada Chapter of the International Code Council
• 2024 International Building Code, Chapters 1 through 35 and Appendices A, C, E, I, and P
• 2024 International Residential Code, Chapters 1 through 44 and Appendices BB, BF, BG, BH, BO, CA, CB, and CD
• 2024 International Existing Building Code, Chapters 1 through 16 and Appendices A, B, C, and E
• 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, Chapters 1 through 6
• 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, Chapters 1 through 8 and Appendix A
• 2024 International Mechanical Code, Chapters 1 through 15
• 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Chapter 5
• 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, Chapters 1 through 11
• 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, Chapters 1 through 17 and Appendices A, B, D, E, I, and L
• 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code, Chapters 1 through 18
• 2023 National Electrical Code (“NEC First Print”) - (Note, must create free login to access online);
• 2024 National Fire Protection Association ("NFPA") 54 - (Note, must create free login to access online);
• 2024 National Fire Protection Association ("NFPA") 58 - (Note, must create free login to access online);
• 2024 Northern Nevada Amendments by the Northern Nevada Chapter of the International Code Council