Carson City Health and Human Services oversees and regulates the opening, closing, change of ownership, new construction and remodels of the following entities: restaurants, bars, mobile food units, grocery/market, processing facilities, pools/spas, child care facilities, hotels/motels or mobile homes/RV Parks. 

There are several procedures and several City of Carson City officials involved with any of these actions.

Please see below for what category your business fits in

Child Care

Food Establishments

Hotel & Motel

Pool & Spa

Septic & Well

Tattoo, Piercings & Permanent Makeup

What is the step by step process for starting a new business?

• Step One:  Visit the Carson City Building Department at 108 E. Proctor Street and obtain new construction paperwork. This paperwork will explain the procedures required and will let you know that the main department that you will be working with is the Health Department, Environmental Health Division.  
• Step Two:  Obtain a Carson City Business License at 108 E. Proctor Street in the Business License Office.   
• Step Three:  Choose your location and ensure that the location is suitable for your proposed business through the Carson City Planning Department, which is also at 108 E. Proctor Street. 
• Step Four:  Meet with the Carson City Fire Prevention Inspectors (Phone: (775) 887-2210) to ensure that your business is properly protected from fires and other hazards depending on the type of business that you are doing. 
• Step Five:  Meet with Carson City Environmental Control to ensure that your waste removal process is adequate for your proposed business.  Their office number is (775) 887-2355. 
• Step Six:  Submit the proposed plan review to the various departments via the Building Resource Information Center at 108 E. Proctor Street.  This process is fairly time consuming and may take 2-3 weeks to process through the system.  The plans will be reviewed as to whether they meet the standards of the Nevada Revised Statutes, Nevada Administrative Code, the Carson City Municipal Code and other applicable regulations.
• Step Seven:  The plans that you have submitted must be approved.  In some circumstances, there will be changes to be made to ensure that the required codes are met. When your plans comply with all the requirements of the departments reviewing them, you will be notified that the final approval has been given. If the proper steps are not taken within the plan review process expect delays with opening your business.   
• Step Eight:  The Pre-Opening Health inspection is conducted by the health inspector that has been assigned to your facility.  This inspection consists of verifying all items that must be corrected or accomplished before you may open your establishment for business. 
• Step Nine:  The Final Health Sign off and Approval to Operate is complete when Steps 1 through 8 has been successfully completed.  Your Permit to Operate will be issued and sent to your business address after this process is complete.

What if the location of my business is in an existing building or the type of business did not change?

Due to the potential unknown status of the existing facility and constant updates to applicable regulations, a business plan and site walk-through with Carson City Health and Human Services should be reviewed and planned for at least a month prior to opening.

All requirements for each type of business are still expected regardless of the buildings previous uses. For specific requirements for your type of business see links below.