Nevada § 278.160 - Elements of master plan
Full text of Nevada Nevada Revised Statutes § 278.160 — Elements of master plan, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 278.160. Elements of master plan
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and NRS 278.150 and 278.170 , the master plan, with the accompanying charts, drawings, diagrams, schedules and
reports, may include such of the following elements or portions thereof as are appropriate
to the city, county or region, and as may be made the basis for the physical development
thereof: (a) A conservation element, which must include: (1) A conservation plan for the conservation, development and utilization of natural
resources, including, without limitation, water and its hydraulic force, underground
water, water supply, solar or wind energy, forests, soils, rivers and other waters,
harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals and other natural resources. The conservation plan must also cover the reclamation of land and waters, flood
control, prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters, regulation
of the use of land in stream channels and other areas required for the accomplishment
of the conservation plan, prevention, control and correction of the erosion of soils
through proper clearing, grading and landscaping, beaches and shores, and protection
of watersheds. The conservation plan must also indicate the maximum tolerable level of air pollution. (2) A solid waste disposal plan showing general plans for the disposal of solid waste. (b) A historic preservation element, which must include: (1) A historic neighborhood preservation plan which: (I) Must include, without limitation, a plan to inventory historic neighborhoods and
a statement of goals and methods to encourage the preservation of historic neighborhoods. (II) May include, without limitation, the creation of a commission to monitor and
promote the preservation of historic neighborhoods. (2) A historical properties preservation plan setting forth an inventory of significant
historical, archaeological, paleontological and architectural properties as defined
by a city, county or region, and a statement of methods to encourage the preservation
of those properties. (c) A housing element, which must include, without limitation: (1) An inventory of housing conditions and needs, and plans and procedures for improving
housing standards and providing adequate housing to individuals and families in the
community, regardless of income level. (2) An inventory of existing affordable housing in the community, including, without
limitation, housing that is available to rent or own, housing that is subsidized either
directly or indirectly by this State, an agency or political subdivision of this State,
or the Federal Government or an agency of the Federal Government, and housing that
is accessible to persons with disabilities. (3) An analysis of projected growth and the demographic characteristics of the community. (4) A determination of the present and prospective need for affordable housing in
the community. (5) An analysis of any impediments to the development of affordable housing and the
development of policies to mitigate those impediments. (6) An analysis of the characteristics of the land that is suitable for residential
development. The analysis must include, without limitation: (I) A determination of whether the existing infrastructure is sufficient to sustain
the current needs and projected growth of the community; and (II) An inventory of available parcels that are suitable for residential development
and any zoning, environmental and other land-use planning restrictions that affect
such parcels. (7) An analysis of the needs and appropriate methods for the construction of affordable
housing or the conversion or rehabilitation of existing housing to affordable housing. (8) A plan for maintaining and developing affordable housing to meet the housing needs
of the community for a period of at least 5 years. (d) A land use element, which must include: (1) Provisions concerning community design, including standards and principles governing
the subdivision of land and suggestive patterns for community design and development. (2) A land use plan, including an inventory and classification of types of natural
land and of existing land cover and uses, and comprehensive plans for the most desirable
utilization of land. The land use plan: (I) Must, if applicable, address mixed-use development, transit-oriented development,
master-planned communities and gaming enterprise districts. The land use plan must also, if applicable, address the coordination and compatibility
of land uses with any military installation in the city, county or region, taking
into account the location, purpose and stated mission of the military installation. (II) May include a provision concerning the acquisition and use of land that is under
federal management within the city, county or region, including, without limitation,
a plan or statement of policy prepared pursuant to NRS 321.7355 . (3) In any county whose population is 700,000 or more, a rural neighborhoods preservation
plan showing general plans to preserve the character and density of rural neighborhoods. (e) A public facilities and services element, which must include: (1) An economic plan showing recommended schedules for the allocation and expenditure
of public money to provide for the economical and timely execution of the various
components of the plan. (2) A population plan setting forth an estimate of the total population which the
natural resources of the city, county or region will support on a continuing basis
without unreasonable impairment. (3) An aboveground utility plan that shows corridors designated for the construction
of aboveground utilities and complies with the provisions of NRS 278.165 . (4) Provisions concerning public buildings showing the locations and arrangement of
civic centers and all other public buildings, including the architecture thereof and
the landscape treatment of the grounds thereof. (5) Provisions concerning public services and facilities showing general plans for
sewage, drainage and utilities, and rights-of-way, easements and facilities therefor,
including, without limitation, any utility projects required to be reported pursuant
to NRS 278.145 . If a public utility which provides electric service notifies the planning commission
that a new transmission line or substation will be required to support the master
plan, those facilities must be included in the master plan. The utility is not required to obtain an easement for any such transmission line
as a prerequisite to the inclusion of the transmission line in the master plan. (6) A school facilities plan showing the general locations of current and future school
facilities based upon information furnished by the appropriate county school district. (f) A recreation and open space element, which must include a recreation plan showing
a comprehensive system of recreation areas, including, without limitation, natural
reservations, parks, parkways, trails, reserved riverbank strips, beaches, playgrounds
and other recreation areas, including, when practicable, the locations and proposed
development thereof. (g) A safety element, which must include: (1) In any county whose population is 700,000 or more, a safety plan identifying potential
types of natural and man-made hazards, including, without limitation, hazards from
floods, landslides or fires, or resulting from the manufacture, storage, transfer
or use of bulk quantities of hazardous materials. The safety plan may set forth policies for avoiding or minimizing the risks from
those hazards. (2) A seismic safety plan consisting of an identification and appraisal of seismic
hazards such as susceptibility to surface ruptures from faulting, to ground shaking
or to ground failures. (h) A transportation element, which must include: (1) A streets and highways plan showing the general locations and widths of a comprehensive
system of major traffic thoroughfares and other traffic ways and of streets and the
recommended treatment thereof, building line setbacks, and a system of naming or numbering
streets and numbering houses, with recommendations concerning proposed changes. (2) A transit plan showing a proposed multimodal system of transit lines, including
mass transit, streetcar, motorcoach and trolley coach lines, paths for bicycles and
pedestrians, satellite parking and related facilities. (3) A transportation plan showing a comprehensive transportation system, including,
without limitation, locations of rights-of-way, terminals, viaducts and grade separations. The transportation plan may also include port, harbor, aviation and related facilities. (i) An urban agricultural element, which must include a plan to inventory any vacant
lands or other real property owned by the city or county and blighted land in the
city or county to determine whether such lands are suitable for urban farming and
gardening. The plan to inventory any vacant lands or other real property may include, without
limitation, any other real property in the city or county, as deemed appropriate by
the commission. 2. The commission may prepare and adopt, as part of the master plan, other and additional
plans and reports dealing with such other elements as may in its judgment relate to
the physical development of the city, county or region, and nothing contained in NRS 278.010 to 278.630 , inclusive, prohibits the preparation and adoption of any such element as a part
of the master plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada § 278.160
What does Nevada Revised Statutes § 278.160 cover?
Section 278.160 ("Elements of master plan") is part of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Nevada. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Nevada § 278.160?
A common citation format is "Nevada Revised Statutes § 278.160" (Nevada). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Nevada law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Nevada official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Nevada attorney.
How does Nevada § 278.160 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Nevada can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Nevada.