Southern Nevada HBA Win on Utilities May Lower Cost of New Townhomes
The Southern Nevada Home Builders Association recently won a long battle with the state’s energy authority over the classification of townhomes when calculating the cost to install new electric lines.
For years, Nevada Energy has classified newly constructed townhomes as multifamily properties. The issue for home builders and developers is that Nevada Energy’s Rule 9 Line Extension Allowances are lower for multifamily projects on a per-unit basis than for single-family homes.
Over the last year, the Southern Nevada HBA has been working diligently on behalf of its members, lobbying at the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to seek clarity on the classification of townhomes. After receiving a grant from the NAHB Legal Action Fund, the HBA submitted a petition to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and ultimately won reclassification of townhomes as single-family dwellings.
The reclassification could have a big impact on development in Southern Nevada, which includes Las Vegas. The HBA estimates it could save as much as $3,500 per unit.
This was a significant issue for prospective home buyers in Las Vegas, where townhomes are one of the most accessible products in the housing market and represent 30% of the Southern Nevada market.
Latest from NAHBNow
Membership Recruitment and Retention
Aug 27, 2026
Fall Recruitment Competition Set to Begin Sept. 1
Builder and Associate members will work to recruit as many new members as they can by Nov. 30. Winners can earn prizes including LG laundry products and 2027 International Builders' Show perks.
Codes and Standards
Aug 27, 2026
2027 Building Codes Finalized: Big Changes Ahead for Off-Site Construction and Flood Resistance
The International Code Council recently released the final results of the Public Comment Hearings and Online Governmental Consensus Vote. This marks the final stage of the 2024-2026 code development cycle leading to the 2027 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC) and the other 2027 I-Codes.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 28, 2026
Multifamily Absorption Rate Remains Below 50%
The percentage of new apartment units that were absorbed within three months after completion was down five percentage points in the first quarter, according to the Census Bureau’s latest release of the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA).
Economics
Aug 27, 2026
Small Decline for Single-Family Home Size
New single-family home size had been falling since 2015 in response to declining affordability conditions. An exception occurred in 2021, when new home size increased as interest rates reached historic lows.
Economics
Aug 26, 2026
PCE Inflation Remains Sticky
The latest report shows the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge remains sticky in July, complicating the Fed’s path to its long-term 2% target. Meanwhile, consumer spending remains resilient but is showing signs of slowing, with real consumer spending unchanged in July. Households are pulling back on spending amid persistent inflation.