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Code Status: Nevada

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Nevada. Information for all 50 States is also available. Nevada Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: 2003 IECC mandatory for all jursidictions that have not adopted an energy code; can use REScheck to show compliance. Jurisdictions in Southern Nevada have adopted the 2006 Southern Nevada Energy Code, which is based on the 2006 IECC with amendments. Jurisdictions in Northern Nevada have adopted the 2006 IECC. REScheck can be used to show compliance for the envelope and mechanical only.
  • Commercial Code: 2003 IECC mandatory for all jurisdictions that have not adopted an energy code; can use COMcheck to show compliance. Jurisdictions in southern Nevada have adopted the 2006 Southern Nevada Energy Code, which is based on the 2006 IECC with amendments. Jurisdictions in Northern Nevada have adopted the 2006 IECC. COMcheck can be used to show compliance for the envelope and mechanical only.
  • Code Change Cycle: No set schedule. Assembly Bill 3 (22nd Special Session, 2005) states that jurisdictions that do not have an energy code need to comply to a version of the IECC. Most recent code update was adopted on June 17, 2005.
  • Jurisdictions: (Information last updated 10/23/08. See ICC Online for up-to-date jursidictional adoption information.)
    2006 IECC: Carson City, Carson County, Churchill County, Douglas County, Elko County, Humboldt County, Lincoln County, Lyon County, Reno, Sparks, Storey County, Washoe County, Winnemucca

    2006 Southern Nevada Energy Code: Boulder City, Clark County, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, North Las Vegas

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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Legislative

Code Change Process: The authority of the Nevada State Energy Office to make changes to the energy code must be processed through the state legislature. However, many local jurisdictions have adopted recent versions of the IECC.

State Code History: Nevada's first energy code, "Energy Conservation Standards for New Building Construction," was adopted on January 1, 1978. This code, based on ASHRAE Standard 90-75, was written by the state and formulated by the Nevada Department of Energy. All cities and counties were required to enforce the energy code requirements. The Nevada Department of Energy was disbanded in 1983. Between 1983 and 1986, the state did not support or enforce this energy code.

In 1985 the legislature gave the Nevada Office of Community Services authority to formulate new statewide standards for energy conservation in new buildings. Adopted on July 8, 1988, the "Regulations for the Conservation of Energy in New Building Construction" were formulated based on the 1986 MEC with minor state amendments. This code is applicable only in areas where the local jurisdiction had not previously adopted an energy code. This remains the basis for the statewide energy code. The Nevada Office of Community Services was dissolved in the fall of 1993. Currently, the state does not actively support or enforce this energy code.

On May 28, 2009, Gov. Jim Gibbons signed into law legislation (SB 73) that revises the process of updating the state's building energy codes by establishing the standards adopted by the Nevada State Office of Energy as the minimum standards for building energy efficiency and conservation. The law requires local governments to adopt the codes set by the Office of Energy and to enforce them (they are also allowed to adopt more stringent standards provided they give notice to the Office of Energy).

The law mandates the adoption of the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and requires the adoption of the most recent updated version of the IECC every three years. The Office of Energy must still hold public hearings in three different locations in the state after giving 30 days' notice of such hearings before adopting any new standards.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2006, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 176.2 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 131.1 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 307.3 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 1,998,257
  • Total Housing Units2: 901,597
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 44,663
    • 1 unit: 39,030
    • 2 units: 112
    • 3 and 4 units: 1,753
    • 5+ units: 3,768
    • structures of 5+ units: 294

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
Green Building Initiatives
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Code Funding Opportunities

There are two funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and State Energy Program. Please reference the U.S. Department of Energy for Nevada's allocated amount and updated information. 

  

Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

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