Land — Great Basin / Southwest — NV
Water rights, rainwater law, cottage food rules, right-to-farm protections, livestock zoning, and growing conditions for Nevada landowners and buyers.
Land law varies by county, municipality, and HOA. Verify all information with your county planning department, state water agency, and a licensed attorney before any land purchase or development decision.
Water law
Pure prior appropriation. All water owned by state; allocated through the Nevada Division of Water Resources (ndwr.nv.gov). Even spring collection requires a water right.
Legal with permit. Collection of up to 100 gallons per permit for non-potable outdoor use. Contact Nevada Division of Water Resources for larger systems.
Land use and production law
Nevada Cottage Food Law: $35,000 gross annual cap; direct consumer and farmers markets; label required. Verify with Nevada Department of Agriculture.
Nevada Agricultural Protections Act (NRS §40.140) protects established agricultural operations.
Rural Nevada very permissive. Clark County (Las Vegas) and Washoe County (Reno) suburban zones restrict livestock in residential areas.
Growing conditions
Hardiness zones
4a (high Great Basin/Elko) – 10b (Las Vegas Valley)
Last frost
May 15 (north) – Feb 1 (Las Vegas)
First frost
Oct 1 (north) – Dec 1 (Las Vegas)
Free soil testing
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension — click to visit
Soil notes
Arid desert soils (Aridisols) with caliche hardpan are common below 5,000 ft. Valley soils are alkaline (pH 7.5–8.5) and very low in organic matter.