A Las Vegas patio should be poured over a compacted base, slope away from the house, and have control joints plus an isolation joint at the foundation. Plan for summer heat with lighter colors and shade, keep irrigation off the slab edges, and expect concrete to be pumped over a block wall if there's no gate access. Check HOA rules first.
Last updated
Many Las Vegas homes came with a small covered slab off the back door, and extending it is one of the most common concrete projects in the valley. Homeowners add room for an outdoor kitchen, a shade structure, a fire feature or a play area, often as part of replacing lawn with desert landscaping. The basics that make a patio last stay the same: a stable base, drainage away from the house, and well-placed joints.
Planning the patio
- Heat and sun. West- and south-facing slabs get very hot on summer afternoons. Lighter colors, textured finishes and shade make a big difference in whether you can use the space.
- Access. Most backyards here are enclosed by block walls, so concrete often has to be pumped over the wall or wheeled through a side gate. That affects price and scheduling.
- Future structures. If you might add a patio cover, pergola or outdoor kitchen, say so now. Posts and heavy loads may need footings, and covered structures generally need a building permit from your city or Clark County.
- Irrigation. Move drip lines and sprinkler heads so they don't soak the soil at the slab edge.
Drainage and the desert soil
Caliche can sit close to the surface in parts of the valley and acts like a hardpan, so water that runs off a patio may pool instead of soaking in. Some valley soils also settle when soaked for the first time, and others swell. A patio should slope slightly away from the house, and runoff should go somewhere that won't collect against the foundation or a block wall footing. Monsoon storms can drop a lot of water quickly.
Base, thickness and joints
Patios are commonly about four inches thick over a compacted aggregate base. Soil near the house is often backfill from construction and may need compaction. Control joints divide the slab into roughly square panels, and an isolation joint where the patio meets the house keeps the two from binding as they move. If you are extending an existing slab, ask how the new section will connect to the old one; the color will not match exactly.
Turf conversions
If you are replacing grass through the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Water Smart Landscapes program, know that SNWA requires a site visit before you remove the lawn, and it subtracts concrete patios, walkways and other nonpermeable areas when calculating the incentive. Check the current rules with SNWA before you finalize the layout.
Finish options
- Broom finish: simple, slip-resistant and economical.
- Exposed aggregate: textured, good traction and hides dust.
- Stamped or colored: see stamped and decorative concrete.
- Cool deck style coatings: textured, light-colored toppings often used near pools to keep surfaces more comfortable.
HOAs and permits
Most master-planned communities in the valley require architectural approval for patio extensions and covers, and some regulate colors. Whether a ground-level slab needs a permit varies by jurisdiction, so check with your city or the county before the pour.
Questions to ask
- How will the slab drain, and where will the water go?
- How will you get concrete over or around the block wall?
- What base, thickness and cement type are included?
- When will you pour, given the forecast heat and wind?
Ready to plan it? Request a patio contractor and share a photo of your backyard.
See how it works
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a patio in Las Vegas?
A ground-level slab often doesn't, but rules vary by city and in unincorporated Clark County, and covered patios and shade structures generally need a building permit. Check with your local building department and HOA.
Does a concrete patio count toward the SNWA lawn removal rebate?
According to SNWA's Water Smart Landscapes rules, concrete patios, walkways and other nonpermeable areas are subtracted when the incentive is calculated, and you need a site visit before removing grass. Check SNWA's current rules before you design.
How can I keep a patio cooler?
Lighter colors, textured finishes, cool deck style toppings and shade all help. Dark stamped colors absorb more heat and can be uncomfortable barefoot in summer.
Sources and further reading
- Nevada State Contractors Board: license requirements
- Nevada State Contractors Board: Residential Recovery Fund
- Nevada Administrative Code 624.230: C-5 concrete contracting classification
- USA North 811 (Nevada and Northern California)
- Southern Nevada Water Authority: Water Smart Landscapes rebate
- Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology: Subsidence in Las Vegas Valley, 1980-91
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension (Southern Nevada soils and caliche)
- Clark County Public Works: encroachment permits
- City of Las Vegas: permits and licenses
- Boulder City: driveway aprons
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)