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The following is a list of questions frequently asked by citizens. You may search for specific words or phases, or shorten the list by selecting a specific category.
Assessor
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Our responsibility is to estimate property values. We do not set the tax rate nor do we collect taxes. It is our duty, by law, to discover all taxable property in Lyon County, appraise its value, then calculate 35% of that appraised value to arrive at the assessed value.
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The tax rate for the individual tax districts is established each spring by the Nevada Tax Commission from budgets submitted by local government entities such as the Fire Protection Districts, School District and others. Services provided by these governmental bodies are a result of those budgets and any questions about government services should be directed to those agencies and not to the Assessor, Treasurer or Board of Equalization.
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The Lyon County Treasurer collects taxes based on the tax bills sent out each July. Questions regarding taxes paid or amounts due should be directed to that office at (775) 463-6504.
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The appraised value of your land is the Assessor’s estimate of its market value, taking into account its location, zoning, actual use, etc. The appraised value of your buildings is their estimated replacement cost new less depreciation. Your taxes will be based on your total assessed value, which is 35% of your total appraised value.
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They change when either your tax rate changes or your assessed value changes. Your assessed value can change because of a boundary change, new construction, change in use, or reappraisal.
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There are two types of land factors and improvement factors. Both are used to keep values current. Land factors are determined by sale prices of land in areas and neighborhoods and are applicable to land not currently in the reappraisal cycle. Statistical analysis of sales in an area or neighborhood is used to arrive at a factor for that particular area. Factors can be negative, positive or neutral thereby increasing values, decreasing values or leaving them alone. The Assessor´s Office and the Department of Taxation, Division of Assessment Standards, determine the factors for land and they are taken to the Nevada Tax Commission for approval. The Nevada Tax Commission is responsible for determining improvement factors for given areas around the state and those factors are based on changes in building costs from year to year.
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It could change annually. Each year, all properties will either be reappraised or their previous assessed value could be factored using factors established or approved by the Nevada Tax Commission.
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In Nevada, we appraise land according to its market value, then calculate 35% of that value to arrive at the assessed value. Improvements are based on a replacement cost new less depreciation. In other words, we determine how much it would cost to replace the improvement(s), depreciate it at 1.5% per year to arrive at the taxable value. Then we calculate 35% of that value to arrive at the assessed value. Market value has very little bearing on the taxable value of a property, especially as the age of the improvements increase. The 1.5% depreciation is according to Nevada Revised Statutes and the maximum depreciation allowed on real property is 75%.
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Assessment notices are mailed in December and June to taxpayers whose value has changed. If you have a question, you may call the Assessor´s Office or come in and talk to an If we are unable to resolve your problem you may appeal to the County Board of Equalization. If you are still not satisfied, you may appeal to the State Board of Equalization, and thereafter, through the court system. Any of these bodies may adjust your assessed value. Appeals to the County Board of Equalization must be filed at the Assessor's Office no later than January 15th or the first business day following January 15th should it fall on a weekend or holiday.
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Building - Codes and Design
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Residential projects under the “owner-builder exemption” (see NRS 624.031) may be designed by the owner when of conventional wood-frame construction covered by the International Residential Code. Commercial projects require professional design.
Link to Owner/Builder Exemption
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Minimum setback requirements are established by County zoning codes. You are encouraged to phone or email the building department for this information. There may also be restrictions due to easements established on the property or other deed restrictions. In Mason and Smith Valleys the Walker River Irrigation District must approve the site plan for a project as part of the application process.
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A listing of the adopted codes is available at Codes and Design Criteria webpage and the amendments to the published codes can be found at Building Codes as Amended. The published codes cannot be made available on the web due to copyright protections, but may be viewed at the public library or the Building Department in Yerington or Dayton.
Adopted Building Codes
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ARC fault protection is required for all 15 and 20 amp electrical circuits supplying outlets (includes lighting outlets) in all sleeping rooms for new residential construction.
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New residential construction including habitable additions must comply with the prescriptive energy requirements of Chapter 11, 2003 IRC for climate zone 13. An acceptable option is to provide calculations using the REScheck software available at www.energycodes.gov. (Commercial projects must comply with the requirements of the 2003 International Energy Code.)
Link to REScheck
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Building - Inspections
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The building codes adopted by Lyon County state that no building or structure shall be used or occupied until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy. For residential permits the inspector’s report and signed inspection record card indicating final approval serve as the certificate of occupancy. Commercial projects require a signed Certificate signed by the building official that indicates the permitted occupancy classification of the facility. The building inspector has some discretion, but generally all work covered under the permit must be completed in order to receive approval to occupy. Once a permit is “signed off” it is closed and no further inspections are authorized. Any change in occupancy classification requires an additional permit and subsequent C of O.
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NRS 489.251 prohibits connecting or activating utility systems to a MH prior to receiving an inspection and Certificate of Installation from NV Divsn. of MH.
Link to NRS 489.251
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Building - Manufactured Homes
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A MH manufactured more than 15 years prior cannot be brought into Lyon County for installation. A MH currently installed and occupied as a residence may be relocated with a permit w/o age restriction. This relocated MH must be completed and approved for occupancy within six months or it loses its “grandfather” protection and must be removed. The Building Dept. cannot extend this time period. A MH less than 15 years old may be installed under permit on a property that has zoning with a “T” overlay. A “double-wide” MH less than 5 years old may be installed on any build-able residential parcel that does not involve deed restrictions. See our information website and contact the Building Dept. for a complete review of requirements and regulations.
Link to Information and Applications
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Additions may be permitted by Lyon County as long as they do not use the MH for any structural support, interfere with required egress including bedroom windows or in any way alter the structure of the MH. Otherwise the plans must first be approved by the NV Divsn. of Manufactured Housing (see www.mhd.state.nv.us) prior to applying for a county building permit. Non-permitted additions or modifications to a MH can impair future financing and sales of the residence.
Link to NV MH Website
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With some exceptions all MH installed in Lyon County following July 1, 1998, must be converted to real property. A permit from the Building Dept. must be obtained to convert a MH to real property. Basically the MH must be lawfully installed on and affixed (tied down, etc) to the property with tongues and axles removed as verified by an inspector. The permit application and County staff will provide a complete explanation of the process (as well as the exceptions).
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NRS 489.251 prohibits connecting or activating utility systems to a MH prior to receiving an inspection and Certificate of Installation from NV Divsn. of MH.
Link to NRS 489.251
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Building - Miscellaneous
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Attempt to identify the cause of the problem with the aid of a licensed contractor as necessary. Clearing a clogged fixture or pipe or pumping the septic tank may resolve the problem. If the leach field had become saturated and is no longer working evidenced by “gray water” on the ground, immediate action is necessary for health reasons. Septic systems are regulated by state agencies, NV Health for residential and NDEP for commercial. When a residential leach field fails a replacement field must be constructed, inspected and approved under a county permit. See our information web pages and contact the Building Dept. for assistance.
Link to Information and Applications
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ARC fault protection is required for all 15 and 20 amp electrical circuits supplying outlets (includes lighting outlets) in all sleeping rooms for new residential construction.
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See www.sierrapacific.com/services/business/new_construction which is a web page providing a wealth of information including answers to numerous frequently asked questions regarding this subject. (For information regarding natural gas service in Lyon County visit www.southwestgas.com.)
Link to SPPCo. webpage
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Building - Permits
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Yes, however written authorization must accompany the permit application per NRS 278.610(AGO. This may be a signature of the current property owner on the application or a separate written authorization.
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Complete applications may be submitted by mail or in person at either the Yerington office or the Dayton office in the Occidental Square business park.
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One-story detached accessory structures used as a storage shed, playhouse, well pump house, or similar use that do not exceed 120 square feet of floor area do not require a building permit. However, any electrical or plumbing work within detached accessory structures will require an appropriate permit.
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Decks (excluding flat concrete walking surfaces) attached to a building require a building permit. Detached decks which do not exceed 120 square feet of floor area are exempt from a building permit but still must comply with code requirements.
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Fences six feet or less in height do not require a building permit. In Lyon County residential fences are limited to a maximum six feet in height in side and rear yards. Fences in front yard areas may not exceed 4 feet in height.
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Minimum setback requirements are established by County zoning codes. You are encouraged to phone or email the building department for this information. There may also be restrictions due to easements established on the property or other deed restrictions. In Mason and Smith Valleys the Walker River Irrigation District must approve the site plan for a project as part of the application process.
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For a permit to remain valid work must be started within six months and must not be abandoned for a period of six months. Evidence that a project has not been abandoned is usually on-going inspections. One extension may be granted and must be requested in writing before the permit expires.
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It is suggested you visit our Information and Applications pages as a first step. Applications can be printed, filled-out and submitted with appropriate documents by mail or in person the Building Dept. You are encouraged to phone or email any remaining questions.
Link to Information and Applications
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See www.sierrapacific.com/services/business/new_construction which is a web page providing a wealth of information including answers to numerous frequently asked questions regarding this subject. (For information regarding natural gas service in Lyon County visit www.southwestgas.com.)
Link to SPPCo. webpage
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The elected governing body of Lyon County, the Board of Commissioners, has enacted regulations and established responsible departments to promote the public health and safety. To that end the Building Department was established, as provided by state statute, to provide plan review, permitting and inspection services under the adopted building codes.
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Business Licenses
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Lyon County Code states It is unlawful for any person, partnership, association, firm or corporation engaging in any trade, callin, service, profession, or business venture in Lyon County must first apply for and obtain a license or permit from the Lyon County Clerk Treasurer license.
This would exclude 1) all multi-level marketing businesses such as Avon, Amway, Shaklee, Candlelight, Pampered Chef, Home Interiors, etc., 2) those persons setting up for special events sponsored by the city or county, 3) those persons selling under the umbrella of a flea or farmer’s market or 4) any private individual who has no more than five (5) garage sales a year
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Yes, you will need to take a copy of the ‘Nevada Business Registration’ form to their office and send or bring in the compliance letter they give you with your application.
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Your Lyon County Business License will be determined according to the number of owners and employees you have. There is a fee schedule printed on the Lyon County Business License form.
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The only time you do not have to file a fictitious firm name is if you are a sole proprietor operating under JUST your given name or you are a Nevada State registered corporation, limited liability or trade name.
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If your business is in a commercial location, the first thing you will do is check with the planning department to see if the zoning is correct for the type of business you are conducting. If the zoning is okay, then you will need to call the health inspector only if your business is food related, otherwise, you will need to only call the building and fire inspectors. Have the Lyon County form on site when the inspectors come so they can sign it off.
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Your employees are the number of workers it takes to operate your business, this also includes owners. For the purposes of calculating your fee you will county any full or part-time employees or leased employees from an employment agency will also be counted. You will count them all for the purposes of calculating your fee.
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Yes, if you close your business or you are a contractor no longer working in our county, please notify our office by mail, phone or email.
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Yes, law requires all applicants to complete this form.
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Different businesses have different requirements, please contact our office to discuss the nature of your business and if there are any state requirements needed before you can obtain your county license.
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You can obtain your federal identification or EIN number from the IRS. Their website is www.irs.gov or you can call them at 1-800-829-1040.
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Whenever there is a change in your business. Moving to another location, even if it is next door, change in ownership or corporate officers, changing the nature of your business or adding to it, etc.
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Yes, the fees can be prorated on a quarterly basis, but no a monthly basis. For instance, we are on a fiscal year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year. If you were to start you business in August, you would still pay the full annual fee, whereas, if you started in October, you would only pay three quarters for the first year. This applies to all fees except gaming; these fees can be prorated monthly.
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Fees are billed annually in June of each year and are due on the first of July. Lyon County does offer you the option of paying quarterly, however, you will not be billed quarterly. If you choose to pay quarterly, the due dates are: July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1.
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Yes, this compliance form is required by State Industrial Relations and if you have no employees, you must still complete the form, checking the second option, and either sign the form in front of us or a notary. If you have employees and have worker’s compensation, you can submit a copy of your certificate of insurance in instead of filling out this form.
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District Attorney
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State statutes prohibit the District Attorney’s Office from giving legal advice to private individuals. The office staff can provide very general information about the status of a case, but staff cannot provide details relating to a case.
Generally, police reports are not released to anyone other than the defendant or attorney for the defendant. In situations where State law authorizes reports to be released to other parties, a written request must be submitted to this office. The office will not release a copy of the report to victims, third parties, or others without a specific written request and approval from the attorney assigned to the case. There is a charge of $0.25/page for copies of police reports.
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This question depends on the circumstances. Our office and law enforcement will make every effort to keep the person anonymous if they request. However, in some instances the law requires the office to disclose that information and you may become involved in the case as a witness.
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Your complaint will be processed quickly. The code enforcement officer will visit and inspect the property within five (5) working days of the complaint. Based on that investigation and the nature of the problem, the office will begin to have the property owner bring the property into compliance with the County Code.
Please be advised that it may take substantial time before the property is brought into compliance. The issue may require court proceedings, court orders, additional resources, and many visits to the property. Nevada law requires a lengthy due process when property rights are at issue. A delay does not mean that the Code Enforcement Officer is not working to resolve the complaint.
Please contact the code enforcement officer if you need information or have questions. You should also consult a private attorney, as a private lawsuit may resolve the matter more expeditiously.
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The District Attorney does not have the authority to release a person from custody. Only the Court that sets the bail can decide whether a person should be released.
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This office is prohibited under State law from disclosing information about these cases, except to certain persons in limited situations.
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Elections/Voter Registration
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You can call the Clerk-Treasurer's Office at (775) 463-6504 to request an application or you may go to any Justice Court within the County to register to vote
Voter Registration Information
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Human Resources
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We have our available jobs posted on this site. Access them by clicking on the following link.
Current Job Listings
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You may mail the application form to:
Lyon County Human Resources
27 South Main Street
Yerington, NV 89447or fax to 775 463-6500
Email application form to..
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All open positions are posted with a closing date. Your application must be received or post marked prior to the closing date of the position. All application forms are reviewed for qualifications within one week of the closing date and interviews are scheduled by mail following the review. Interviews are conducted by panels of supervisors and managers from both within and outside of County operations. Candidates are ranked through the interview process and employment offers are made in writing to the candidate who is the best fit for the open position. All new hires serve a six month probationary period.
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The County offers a full employee benefit package including retirement, health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage. Go to the following link to get full details on benefits and waiting periods.
Employee Benefits
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Juvenile Probation
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Please complete the work permit form and bring it, with identification, to the Juvenile Probation Office nearest you. Please note that work permits are only for Nevada employment, and are not valid until signed by an Officer of the Lyon County Juvenile Probation Department.
Work Permit Form
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Please click on the permission form link. Complete and return the form to the Juvenile Probation Officer that invited your child.
Permission Form
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Library
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Refer to schedule with local branch library information.
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Any Lyon County resident with proper identification and verification of their address may fill out an application for a library card. A valid card is necessary to borrow library materials.
Library Card Application
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Templates are available online and through WORD. Library staff will be glad to help you choose one.
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Use the Lyon County Recorder's web page and click on "Forms" or use the link below and print a copy.
Homestead Form
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Licenses
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You may buy a marriage license at the main ofice in Yerington at 27 S. Main Street or the Dayton office at 801 Overland Loop, Suite 201. View more
Marriage License Information
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Recorder
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Declaration of Homestead is a document that when recorded, offers certain protections from involuntary liens. For additional information,
Click here
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Once the document number is found (see Browse Records for instructions), you can either request a copy on-line, call us at 775-463-6581, or come to our office. Advance payment is required. We accept VISA and MasterCard.
Browse documents
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Generally, we are indexed by noon the following business day.
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That information is found on the assessor's webpage. You can call them at 775-463-6521 or click here to locate
Assessor's Database
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Certified copies of Death Certificates are obtained through the Department of Vital Statistics in the state where they died.
More...
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Whenever there is a conveyance of real property title, a Declaration of Value form must be completed in order to determine whether of not transfer tax is due. For more information,
Click here
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In order to see if there are any liens against your property, you will need to do a document search.
To search records,
Click here
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The Assessor's identification number for a specific property. For more information,
Click here
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