Frequently Asked Questions

The first step in obtaining an address is to verify that there is legal access from the public way to your parcel.  You must have an easement from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to cross their parcels to reach yours even if there is an existing road.  You can contact the BLM at (775)623-1500. If you have to cross private property to gain access to your parcel you will need a recorded easement from the property owner(s).  

Once the easements have been addressed you need to obtain a permit in order to obtain an address.  For example, this permit can be a building permit for a storage building over 200 square feet, an electrical permit, or a sewage disposal system permit.

Yes!  You will need to hire a licensed well driller to drill the required well.  The State of Nevada Water Resources Division does not allow water to be hauled for residential properties.  You need to have the well installed in order to obtain a sewage disposal system permit.  You can stay on the property for a total of 30 days without having a well or sewage disposal system.  After that time, you must install a well and sewage disposal system or moved off the property.

Humboldt County allows recreational vehicles to be used a dwelling in certain land zones.  The land zones are usually AG or M3 zones.  You will need to contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (775)623-6392 to verify if you can place a recreational vehicle on the parcel.  Per Humboldt County Ordinance 03-07-16 a recreational vehicle can be occupied for 30 days cumulative before a permit is required.  After the 30 days a permit is required and the recreational vehicle shall be connected to well, sewage disposal system & tied down.  See our handouts page for recreational vehicle handout.

One story detached accessory buildings such as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, livestock shelters and greenhouses provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. These buildings shall be placed at least six feet from any building, structure or property line. For more information, contact the Building Department.

Yes, if the deck height is greater then 30 inches. As measured from the highest portion of the deck’s walking surface to your finished grade. The main reason behind this code section is that a walking surfaces over 30 inches is required to comply with the building code’s guardrail requirements, as a safety measure. Because to an active adult, a deck barely over 30 inches is unlikely to cause injury; however, to small children and the elderly a fall from this height could cause a severe injury.  Visit our Permits page or contact us for more information.

Only awnings "constructed of light-weight metallic material which does not exceed one pound per square foot dead load" may be attached to a manufactured home with or without a foundation.  In order to attach a wood framed patio cover to a manufactured home the manufactured home shall be supported on a full perimeter foundation.  The patio cover cannot hip back on the the manufactured home unless the manufactured home has a 30 lb roof load.  

Yes, a permit is required for stucco finishes on any structure. This is due to the fact that stucco-type finishes add extra weight to the exterior of a structure and historically, improperly installed stucco-type finishes allow structural damage due to water infiltration.

Permits are required to replacement of furnaces and water heaters.  If the furnace and water heater are gas and are being installed in a manufactured home the unit shall be manufactured home approved.  If the water heater is being installed in a closet it shall be direct vent/sealed combustion unit.

Yes, a permit is required to install a wood or pellet burning stove. If it is to be installed in a manufactured home it shall be approved for such installation.  If it is going to be installed in a garage it must meet clearance to combustibles requirements and the door shall be at least 18" above the floor.

Yes, since the replacement of a furnace is not one of the items exempted under the Uniform Mechanical Code from the permit process. A permit would be required prior to the replacement of the existing unit. Visit our Permits page or contact the Building Department for more information.

No. Once a gas service has been disconnected we are required to witness a gas test prior to authorizing reconnection. It is unlawful for anyone (including the utility) to reconnect the gas service without first receiving authorization from the Humboldt County Building and Safety Department.

For a "site built" home, the code requires a gauge which measures in "Pounds per Square Inch" (PSI). The test consists of the gas line pressurized to a minimum of 20 PSI for 20 minutes. The test will then be conducted in the presence of a Building Inspector, and upon successful completion of the test, the Building Inspector will authorize service with your local natural gas or propane utility. (

Rules regulating manufactured housing are specified by the Manufactured Housing Division. Under Nevada law manufactured homes shall have their gas systems tested with a manometer gauge. (This is an instrument capable of measuring in water column (WC)"). The test shall be conducted with the entire system pressurized between 10 inches of water column (10 inches WC) and 14 inches of water column (14 inches WC) for a minimum time period of 10 minutes. When this test is successfully completed, the Building Inspector will authorize utility connection. (See Nevada Administrative Code 489.440.)

Yes, a permit is required, because as hot water is heated it rapidly expands. Hot water heaters are designed to withstand this pressure, through the addition of safety devices. When a hot water heater is installed improperly, they have been known to explode. In some cases they were literally propelled through the roof of a single family residence. Prior to installing a new hot water heater, we require a permit to cover the inspection of the replacement. This inspection is scheduled after the new hot water heater is in place and prior to the heating of water.

Lawn sprinklers, or irrigation systems connected to potable water, are required to be protected by one of the following options:

1. Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
2. Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
3. Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventor (RPB)

These devices are designed to be installed at the point of connection to the potable water system, to keep contaminants from being pulled back into your drinking water through the sprinkler heads. Some possible sources of contamination would be lawn fertilizers and chemical pesticides that are found in the water that has a tendency to pool around low sprinkler heads on your system.