The Carson City Growth Management Program was initiated in 1978 in response to growth that was pressuring the City’s ability to provide critical services and infrastructure, particularly water and sewer services.

Click here to download the complete 2010 Growth Management Report (1 MB).

The Growth Management Program regulates growth by limiting the number of building permits for residential units each year. In recent years, that number generally relates to the number of residential dwelling units that would result in a city population growth of approximately 3% each year. The actual target percentage growth and number of building permits allowed is determined each year by the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Below is a history of the number of available residential permits and the number actually issued.


* As of June 11, 2010

710 residential permits were allocated for 2010. A residential unit includes a single-family house, a manufactured or mobile home, or a single unit within a multi-family residence (e.g. townhome or apartment). Connecting an existing residential unit on a private well to the community water system also requires a Growth Management allocation.

Historical trends:

                                  Avg. # Permits
Time Period                Issued per Year
1980-2009 (30 yrs.)              292
1990-2009 (20 yrs.)              294
2000-2009 (10 yrs.)              200
2005-2009 (5 yrs.)                113

For more information, contact:

Planning Division
Phone: (775) 887-2180
Email: planning@carson.org