What Is The NSBAIDRD Blue Book And Why Does It Matter?

First and foremost, the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Residential Design is committed to ensuring that all new buildings and remodeling/improvement projects comply with existing laws and regulations. Just as you'll find in other states in the United States of America, Nevada construction and architecture professionals such as building officials, designers, and contractors are guided by a strict set of guidelines. These regulations often serve as a means for protecting the state’s citizens from mishaps, which are likely going to result from unsupervised constructions within the city. 

The NSBAIDRD Blue Book is a reference guide for the Nevada construction industry, jointly compiled and published by the following organizations and government agencies:

• The State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design

• The State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

• The State Board of Landscape Architecture

• The State Contractors Board

• The Nevada State Fire Marshal Division

• The State Public Works Division and

• The Nevada Organization of Building Officials

The Blue Book is elaborate and intended to assist building officials, registrants, licensees, and the public in understanding the laws governing building design and construction in Nevada. In this article, I’d like to highlight the importance of the NSBAIDRD Blue Book and answer a few commonly asked questions about the Nevada construction industry—several more answers are addressed in the book. Building and design professionals working in Nevada are encouraged to keep a copy of this repository of industry information.

However, since these rules and guidelines are regularly updated and may vary from county to county, contractors and design will need to engage with local licensing authorities for updated information.

Obtaining building permits is much easier today than it used to be across the counties in Nevada. Processing of new licenses, renewal of an expired license, and the likes, are done electronically, which drastically reduces the need for physically interfacing with your local officials. 

Until you have to schedule or request an inspection of your property, you may not need to bother dealing physically with licensing authorities. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The NSBAIDRD Blue Book answers several questions related to best practices in Nevada construction. To provide accurate information on the subject matter, materials have been extracted from the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), Nevada Administrative Codes (NAC), building codes, city and county ordinances, board policies, and recommended minimum practices and standards. The general public may also refer to the book's content as a summary and guide to key elements of the statutes, regulations, and policies governing the construction industry in the state of Nevada. The NSBAIDRD Blue Book defines and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of key professionals in the design and construction industry which includes architects, residential designers, registered interior designers, land surveyors, engineers, and contractors. 

UPDATES TO THE PERMIT ISSUANCE REQUIREMENTS

Requirement #1: Electronic Plan Submittal

According to the Las Vegas City Building Department, effective January 1, 2020, all new building plans, including civil buildings, are to be submitted electronically. In addition to basic plans, such as architectural plans, building permits now necessitate more plans. The required plans, as of January 1, 2020, include:

• Soils Reports

• Grading and Drainage Plans

• Utility Plan

• Structural Engineering and Mechanical plans

• Plumbing and Electrical plans

• Electrical Load Calculations

• Structural calculations

• International Energy Conservation Code Reports (IECC)

All of these plans can be provided by a Licensed Residential Designer, like myself and my team, except for the soil reports. Soil reports are subject to geotechnical soil tests on your land, and can only be provided by a licensed civil or geotechnical engineer. 

Before you go looking for engineers, you may want to check in with your local building authority. This is because, in some cases, a soil report may not be necessary after consulting with a soil surveyor. In certain regions, soil reports are mandatory before a building permit is granted.

Requirement #2: Elimination of Physical Interactions For Submittals

As of recent, there have been several updates to the process leading up to the issuance of building permits to homeowners and contractors. For instance, in Las Vegas, the Building and Safety Department introduced a change in the building plan drop-off process due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The notice, which was published in an industry advisory, stipulated that plans are to be submitted in the vestibule by appointment only and subject to a minimum of 24 hours in quarantine before they are retrieved for processing.

Across the state of Nevada, several other local building offices have made some changes to ensure staff members and the general public's safety are prioritized until the COVID-19 pandemic is managed properly. Accordingly, registrants will need to check with their local building offices for up-to-date information. Some counties, like the Clark County Building Department, have switched to an electronic solution for submittal and plans approval. 

Requirement #3: Video Inspection Program

In a bid to limit coronavirus COVID-19 spread, another industry advisory was introduced to manage pending requests for physical property inspections. The city of Las Vegas Department of Building and Safety introduced this measure in line with advice provided by health authorities—the video inspection program. However, not all building or improvement projects are eligible for this program. Below is a list of eligible permits:

• Building Water & Sewer repairs/replacement (per 100 lf)

• Construction Trailer

• Excavation only (residential pools)

• Gas line repair or tag

• HVAC Exact change out or repair

• Low Voltage outlets

• Minor electrical (5 devices or less)

• Miscellaneous Plumbing Repair

• Miscellaneous Repair/Exterior upgrades (stucco, windows, etc.)

• Re-roof (same for same-2 layers only)

• Water heater or Water Softener (same for same)

• Water Piping Replacement

For other types of building permits, registrants will need to contact the local building office and schedule an appointment for a physical meeting. 

ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

To begin with, intending registrants are required to create an account with the Las Vegas City Building Department. In following the recent shift from manual to electronic plan submission, some homeowners and contractors may need to study the self-service option's easy use process before getting started. First and foremost, like with everything online, be sure to create an account for yourself. 

Also, avoid the common error of certifying your documents instead of signing them. Certifying the documents slows down the process and prevents the plan review committee from performing critical functions needed to complete the submission review. Note that all electronic documents must be digitally signed, but not certified. All documentation should be compiled into a single file with seals on each page. Apply your digital signature to the cover sheet after but not before the compilation is done. 

For further instructions and guidance on the web-based plan submission process in Clark County, please see my post about it or the ePlan submission requirements and electronic submission instructions.

THE ROLE OF BUILDING OFFICIALS

A Nevada building official is a staff of the State Public Works Division, School Districts, or the State Fire Marshal Division. This person is authorized to enforce the provisions of adopted codes and ordinances of professional building practice. 

This is typically done by regulating and controlling the design, construction, use, location, energy conservation, and maintenance of all buildings, structures, and other improvements within their local jurisdiction. The inspection of property is carried out by a building official after the permit request is approved. 

Do note that each city and county within the state of Nevada adopts different technical construction codes and ordinances to safeguard residents' life, health, property, and welfare. The purpose here is primarily to create a balance between the needs of the homeowners and builders and the protection of the occupants of the building. 

THE WRAP-UP

So there it is, I highlighted the importance of the NSBAIDRD Blue Book and hopefully answered some commonly asked questions about the Nevada construction industry. If you have any questions, please refer to the Blue Book or reach out to me directly. Best of luck.