Carson City is seeing significant residential construction as part of its managed growth strategy.
The Carson City Board of Supervisors has approved a 3% growth cap on residential building permits to manage the rapid construction activity. With allocations set for the coming years, this resolution aims to promote sustainable development while addressing historical growth management concerns. Recent residential projects and commercial developments highlight the city’s ongoing expansion, along with efforts to carefully regulate land use and population growth projections.
In a decisive move addressing the increasing construction activity in Carson City, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution on July 3, 2025, establishing a 3% growth cap on residential building permit allocations. This unanimous decision follows a recommendation from the Growth Management Commission (GMC) made on May 28, 2025, aimed at managing the city’s development effectively.
The new regulations will limit residential building permits to specific allocated numbers over the next few years: 774 for 2026, 802 for 2027, with projections of 826 for 2028 and 851 for 2029. These figures highlight a strategic approach to manage residential growth within the community, especially given the considerable uptick in permit issuances during 2025. In fact, residential building permits issued in the first half of 2025 already exceeded the total for all of 2024, reaching 365 permits with a remaining 779 available allocations.
The GMC’s recommendation is grounded in Carson City’s historical growth management program initiated in the 1970s due to state-mandated restrictions related to water capacity issues. Notably, in 2024, only 271 permits had been issued, despite over 700 permits being available, indicating a significant surge in demand and the necessity for careful planning.
Several key residential projects are currently under construction in the city, which include:
On the commercial front, new developments include a Bank of America, a Sprouts store, a Centro Market, and the Home2 Suites hotel. Moreover, construction is ongoing at the Carson City Airport, and three motels have been transformed into apartments over the last two years, further emphasizing the growth trend.
A recent presentation at the board meeting revealed that only 1.81% of Carson City’s land is utilized for high-density residential housing, while 15.22% is designated for low-density residential use. Additionally, conservation reserves encompass 30.23% of the area, and open spaces account for 21.24%, excluding state and federal lands. The population of Carson City stands at 60,266 as of July 1, 2024, with projections estimating a growth rate of less than 1% by 2029.
During the GMC meeting, there was a suggestion to adjust permit allocations based on estimated buildout populations instead of current figures. Supervisor Schuette remarked on the importance of reassessing the present growth management framework to ensure flexibility and responsiveness to future needs.
In addition to the residential and commercial building discussions, other actions taken by the board included the appointment of Diana Maisondieu-LaForge to the Carson City Culture and Tourism Authority. Supervisors also approved $110,000 for the 2026 Audit Work Program and discussed zoning changes for 18.5 acres to accommodate 384 multifamily apartments, eliciting varied opinions among board members. Furthermore, an ordinance was passed that transfers the authority to approve street vendors to the Community Development director, while $20,000 was earmarked for art and culture projects, diverging from the Cultural Commission’s recommendations for broader funding.
Lastly, the new city manager, Glen Martel, has alerted the community regarding a scam targeting those applying for permits within the Community Development Department, urging vigilance and reporting of suspicious activities.
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