Nevada Energy Code for Buildings

Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP websites. Legislation signed in 2009 changed the process of adopting building codes in the state. Previously, the statewide code would only apply to local governments that had not already adopted a code, including less stringent codes. The code now applies to all jurisdictions, but local governments may adopt more stringent codes provided they notify the Office of Energy. The previous code referenced the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the ASHRAE 90.1-2007. This code became effective on July 1, 2015. The current code in Nevada is the 2018 IECC with state amendments for residential buildings and the 2018 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2016 for commercial buildings. This code became effective on June 26, 2018. Under state law, the Nevada State Energy Office must promulgate the most recent version of the IECC every three years.