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
Economics | Advocacy
Oct 09, 2026
Podcast: 7.5% Mortgage Rates ‘New Normal’ Until Geopolitical Issues Resolved
On the latest episode of NAHB podcast Housing Developments, NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz joins CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez to discuss the latest economic forecasts and how they have changed this year due to geopolitical turmoil.
IBS
Oct 08, 2026
IBS Remodeled Show Home Uses Holistic Approach to Boost Efficiency
The New American Remodel 2027 will be much more than a beautiful show home. It will highlight just how far building products and techniques have advanced in a relatively short period of time.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 09, 2026
Private Water and Sewer Systems in 2025 New Single-Family Homes
The share of new single-family homes built with individual wells and septic systems increased in 2025 compared to the previous year. According to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), approximately 10% of single-family homes started in 2025 were served by individual (private) wells, and 17% relied on individual septic systems.
Economics
Oct 08, 2026
Remodeling Market Sentiment Remains Stable in Third Quarter Despite Headwinds
In the third quarter of 2026, the NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 62, up one point compared to the previous quarter. The RMI has remained within a narrow band between 59 and 70 for the past four years.
Economics
Oct 07, 2026
ARM Share Increased as Mortgage Rates Spiked
Mortgage application activity declined as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose sharply. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, decreased 7.7% month-over-month in September on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to a year ago, total mortgage applications were lower by 35.4%.