Nevada § 278.580 - Building codes: Adoption; fees for permits; applicability to State and Nevada System of Higher Education; authorization of use of materials and technologies that conserve resources in construction and use of solar or wind energy; adoption of seismic provisions and standards

§ 278.580. Building codes: Adoption; fees for permits; applicability to State and Nevada System of Higher Education; authorization of use of materials and technologies that conserve resources in construction and use of solar or wind energy; adoption of seismic provisions and standards

1. Subject to the limitation set forth in NRS 244.368 and 278.586 , the governing body of any city or county may adopt a building code, specifying the

design, soundness and materials of structures, and may adopt rules, ordinances and

regulations for the enforcement of the building code. 2. The governing body may also fix a reasonable schedule of fees for the issuance

of building permits. A schedule of fees so fixed does not apply to the State of Nevada or the Nevada

System of Higher Education, except that such entities may enter into a contract with

the governing body to pay such fees for the issuance of building permits, the review

of plans and the inspection of construction. Except as it may agree to in such a contract, a governing body is not required to

provide for the review of plans or the inspection of construction with respect to

a structure of the State of Nevada or the Nevada System of Higher Education. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State and its political subdivisions

shall comply with all zoning regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, except

for the expansion of any activity existing on April 23, 1971. 4. A governing body shall amend its building codes and, if necessary, its zoning ordinances

and regulations to permit the use of: (a) Straw or other materials and technologies which conserve scarce natural resources

or resources that are renewable in the construction of a structure; and (b) Systems which use solar or wind energy to reduce the costs of energy for a structure

if such systems and structures are otherwise in compliance with applicable building

codes and zoning ordinances, including those relating to the design, location and

soundness of such systems and structures, to the extent the local climate allows for the use of such materials, technologies,

resources and systems. 5. The amendments required by subsection 4 may address, without limitation: (a) The inclusion of characteristics of land and structures that are most appropriate

for the construction and use of systems using solar and wind energy. (b) The recognition of any impediments to the development of systems using solar and

wind energy. (c) The preparation of design standards for the construction, conversion or rehabilitation

of new and existing systems using solar and wind energy. 6. A governing body shall amend its building codes to include: (a) The seismic provisions of the International Building Code published by the International Code Council; and (b) Standards for the investigation of hazards relating to seismic activity, including,

without limitation, potential surface ruptures and liquefaction.