Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-09-11
17 of Nevada's 17 counties — 100% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 23rd-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Carson City (51/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 1516 counties nationwide → Nevada: no building codes → Nevada: no zoning → Nevada: no codes, no zoning → Full Nevada profile →
17 of 17 Nevada counties · sorted by Index score
Nevada's owner-builder exemption (NRS 624.031) lets an owner build/improve their own residence without a licensed contractor via an Owner-Builder Affidavit filed with the buildi…
Nevada State Contractors Board – Owner-Builder Information ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗The county provides an Owner-Builder Statement form, indicating property owners may act as their own builder under an owner-builder provision.
Lincoln County Building Department - Forms & Applications ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗Storey County provides an Owner Builder Affidavit of Exemption allowing property owners to build on their own property without a licensed contractor.
Storey County Building Permits ↗Pershing County provides an Owner Builder Affidavit, indicating an owner-builder path to permit one's own residence without a licensed contractor.
Pershing County Building Department ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗Under Nevada law an applicant may apply as an Owner/Builder on residential lots by signing the required Owner/Builder affidavits.
Lyon County Building Department ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗The county Building & Safety permits page provides an 'Owner Builder Affidavit of Exemption' form for owner-builders.
Elko County Building & Safety - Permits ↗The county provides an Owner-Builder Acknowledgement Form, allowing a property owner to act as their own contractor (permit still required).
Mineral County, NV Building Inspector - Permit Procedures ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗Humboldt County has adopted Limited Density Owner-Built Rural Dwelling Regulations for alternative owner-builders within its building code framework.
Humboldt County Code Chapter 15.04 Building Codes ↗Statewide rule. An owner of property building or improving a residential structure for the owner's own occupancy and not intended for sale or lease, as an exemption from Nevada …
NRS 624.031 — Applicability of chapter: Exemptions ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Nevada state page for all 17 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
