Frequently Asked Questions
Below are considerations and useful information to support your ADU project planning, permitting and construction efficiently.
Click arrow to expand information on each topic.
Is my property eligible for an ADU?
Property Zoning controls the type of activities that may occur on a property.
- Attached ADU’s are allowed throughout most of the residential areas of the county.
- Detached ADUs in the Medium Density Suburban zone require an additional permit called an Administrative Review. Call us for more details.
Parcel size will help determine if the property is big enough for a an ADU.
- Possibly. Parcels that are half an acre or larger have a large enough area for a secondary living space without the need for additional review to determine if a secondary structure is appropriate.
- Staff review needed. Parcels that are half an acre or smaller require an additional review by Washoe County Planning to determine if a secondary dwelling is appropriate for the available space. The review is completed at a staff level and is called an Administrative Review.
- Tahoe Regulations. In the Washoe County portion of the Tahoe basin, the lot size for a secondary dwelling will vary and the Accessory Dwelling Units also require an administrative review. Please contact planning for additional information planning@washoecounty.gov.
Parcels that utilize septic systems…
Properties that utilize septic systems will have additional requirements from Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH). NNPH staff can help you understand how parcel size and septic system size will impact your project. Scroll down and click on the arrow below under “Well and Septic: Northern Nevada Public Health” for further information. NNPH ADU handout.
What type of structure may be used for additional living space?
Washoe County provides significant flexibility for you to choose the type of construction for your ADU. In fact, your ADU may consist of any unit that meets adopted building codes and size standards. It will likely take of the the following three forms:
- Constructed on-site (aka “stick-built”) to building code standards;
- Fabricated off-site and assembled on-site meeting building code standards, or;
- Constructed off-site and transported to your property as a manufactured home meeting federal standards.
Does an ADU have to be for a family member? Can I rent out my ADU?
Washoe County does not restrict the occupancy of an ADU to family members. The decision to develop an ADU is driven by personal circumstances and the ultimate use is for the owner to determine.
An ADU is often utilized for family members and can be a good option for senior and younger members of a family looking for affordable housing close to the support of family members. But an ADU can also be utilized as a long-term rental property and provide housing to someone not related to the homeowner. An ADU utilized in this manner is a good housing option for a broad spectrum of people throughout the community.
There are, however, some important things to keep in mind regarding the use of your ADU. The county does not permit the use of an ADU as a short-term rental property in the Tahoe planning area (Incline Village/Crystal Bay.) Further, the ability to operate a home-based business from the ADU may be limited if an existing home-based business is already established in the principal dwelling.
Does this include Tiny Homes and Manufactured Homes?
Yes. Manufactured Homes and tiny homes built to building code standard are an excellent option for some homeowners when considering what type of structure to utilize for their ADU.
But in Washoe County, the fact is any type of dwelling meeting code standards may be utilized for an ADU. Any construction type that complies with the adopted Washoe County building codes for a dwelling can be considered. Manufactured units no older than six years, tiny homes, traditional stick-built, and alternative materials stick-built structures are all permitted for use as an ADU as long as they meet the currently adopted building code. Your choice will therefore likely be a matter of issues like design, location, cost and even personal preference. An important note to keep in mind is that a Recreational Vehicle (RV) is not a dwelling, and can not be used as an ADU in Washoe County.
What is considered an accessory dwelling unit or guest quarters?
An ADU is an area that provides living, sleeping, and eating facilities (bathroom, kitchen, living area). A guest quarters is similar to an ADU except a guest quarters has no kitchen. Washoe County definition of living spaces and accessory dwelling units are outlined within the Washoe County Development Code, Chapter 110.
See below for details from the development code:
Article 306: Accessory Structures
This Article provides important definitions and development standards that apply to accessory structures, including accessory dwelling units. Sections 110.306.20 and 110.306.25 provide specific standards for attached and detached ADUs.
Washoe County Development Code Chapter 110 Article 902, Definitions. The definitions of Dwelling Unit and Kitchen are:
Dwelling Unit
“Dwelling unit” means any building or portion thereof, including a fabricated home or portion thereof, which contains at a minimum permanent kitchen and bathroom (i.e. a toilet) facilities for residential use types as defined in Article 304, Use Classification System, but which may also include living, sleeping, and eating facilities as required by the Development Code, the International Building Code, and/or the National Manufactured Home and Safety Standards Act.
Kitchen
“Kitchen” means a room or space within a room equipped with such electrical or gas hook up that would enable the installation of a range, oven, or like appliance using 220/40 volts or natural gas (or similar fuels, such as propane) for the preparation of food, and also containing either or both a refrigerator and sink for the washing and/or disposal of food.
How do I get power, internet, water or sewer to an ADU?
Utility Permits: Washoe County Building Department
Utility Permits (Power) and Water and Sewer are obtained through Washoe County Building Department in concert with local purveyors.
Contact the Building Dept for more info: building@washoecounty.us
Wells and Septic: Northern Nevada Public Health
Domestic Well and Septic Systems. Many parcels throughout Washoe County utilize domestic wells and individual septic systems for their water and wastewater needs. Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) oversees regulations for water and waste domestic well and septic systems that may impact the ability for some parcels to add living space. The size of the parcel, the capacity of the existing septic system, and the ability to expand the system are some of the considerations by NNPH. Broadly speaking, parcels one acre or larger can meet the NNPH thresholds required for an ADU. NNPH ADU handout.
Utility connection fees and services such as water, energy, cable, etc. can be obtained by coordinating directly with the utility provider. The water and sewer connection fee is typically the largest of the utility fees. A Washoe County Permit Tech can help you contact the utility provider necessary for your project.
Will my ADU be subjected to any Impact Fees?
Impact Fees for RRIF and Park Construction Tax…
Development projects in Washoe County pay a range of impact fees to help manage the costs of development to the community. Your ADU may be subject to a RRIF (Regional Road Impact Fee) and a park construction tax. A Washoe County Permit Tech will help you identify and calculate these impact fee.