Refrigerant Transition in New HVAC Equipment
The Southern Nevada Building Officials (SNBO) recognize the ongoing transition to new classes of refrigerants in newly manufactured air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, as required under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020. This transition, which took effect on January 1, 2025, has resulted in the discontinuation of older refrigerants in new equipment.
To ensure continuity in installation and servicing of HVACR systems throughout Southern Nevada, SNBO confirms that local codes do not prohibit the use of approved new refrigerants. All Southern Nevada jurisdictions allow for the use of alternate materials, methods of design, and methods of construction, including refrigerants approved under local administrative codes.
SNBO has approved the installation of new HVAC equipment listed to UL 60335-2-40 & 89, and compliant with ASHRAE 15, as an approved alternative to UL 1995. This applies to all HVACR installations in any Southern Nevada jurisdiction. Read the SNBO announcement here.
2021 ICC Wildland-Urban Interface Code
The Southern Nevada Building Officials (SNBO) agreed to adopt the 2021 Wildland-Urban Interface Code, published by the International Code Council, as a regional standard; it was included in NRS 477 as a required code during the 2021 Legislative Session.
2021 Code Adoption
The Southern Nevada Building Officials have decided to not pursue the regional adoption to the 2021 International Building Code, International Fire Code, International Residential Code, International Existing Building Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code; the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code and the Uniform Mechanical Code; and the 2020 National Electrical Code.The SNBO decision does not preclude individual jurisdictions from adopting some or all of the current construction codes, or portions of these codes, independently, to serve the constituents of the individual jurisdictions.
Read the SNBO announcement here.
The City of Henderson and City of Las Vegas have adopted only the 2021 IBC & IFC with an effective date of 3/31/23. Other 2018 codes remain as the adopted/effective codes as the 2021 versions of those codes will not be adopted. The other Southern Nevada jurisdictions will remain on the 2018 codes and will skip the 2021 cycle of codes.
Residential Air Conditioning Interim Solution
The Southern Nevada Building Officials (SNBO) is aware of potential shortages that may exist within the supply chain because of the Covid-19 pandemic of residential air conditioning condenser units. In order to maintain occupant safety and allow a temporary solution for residential projects, where a full Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) or a full final inspection of the building is required, the jurisdictions in Southern Nevada have agreed to a set of solutions where the air conditioning condensers are not available and there is a need to complete the inspection process for occupancy. Read the proposed process here.
NV Board of Professional Engineers/Land Surveyors Electronic Submittal Digital Signature Guide
Nevada Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors drafted this guide in collaboration with agencies and professionals. In moving to paperless submittals, agencies and professionals experienced various challenges with different approaches to resolving those challenges. Rather than professionals individually doing what they thought was best to comply with agency requirements and Nevada regulations and each agency developing its own guide to meet its unique submittal processes, it was agreed the board would facilitate the development of a guide that could be adopted by agencies and provide uniform guidance to professionals. Access the Digital Signature Guide here.
AFCI/GFCI Interim Solution
The Southern Nevada Building Officials (SNBO) is aware of potential shortages because of the COVID-19 pandemic that may exist within the supply chain of two-pole AFCI Circuit Breakers used in residential construction. In order to maintain both occupant safety and allowing a temporary solution for residential projects, where a full Certificate of Occupancy or a full final inspection of the building is required. Read the full notice from SNBO here.