Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is proposing changes to fees on businesses that hold environmental health and air quality permits. The window to weigh in closes Friday, Nov. 6.
The agency is accepting survey responses as it considers revisions to fees charged by its Environmental Health Services (EHS) and Air Quality Management divisions, 2 News reported. The proposed changes affect businesses and residents in Sparks, Reno and Washoe County.
NNPH said the proposed revisions stem from higher costs to perform its services, according to the agency's fees page. The agency partnered with consulting firm MGT Impact Solutions to conduct a fee model assessment. That study was launched in response to rising staff salaries, inflation and Nevada's cost-of-service laws, which require that fees not exceed the reasonable cost of delivering a service.
The survey is available in English and Spanish at nnph.org/fees. Feedback will help shape recommendations presented to the District Board of Health, which oversees public health matters across the region.
NNPH held two public workshops on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23 at the Washoe County Administration Complex, according to a press release from the agency. Recordings of both sessions are posted on the agency's YouTube page. Spanish-speaking staff attended the workshops to assist residents.
The agency also corrected errors in the initial proposed EHS fee schedule. According to the NNPH fees page, the fixes included updating the current-fee column to reflect 2026 amounts and correcting labels on whether certain fees were new or existing. Those corrections did not represent additional proposed fee changes.
The District Board of Health had a Business Impact Statement adoption hearing on its Oct. 22 agenda. That agenda item, presented by staff representatives Francisco Vega and Robert Fyda, included a finding that the proposed fees would not impose a direct and significant economic burden on a business. The agenda also called for setting a public hearing for possible adoption of the fees.
That hearing is set for Dec. 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. Residents who need accommodations can call NNPH Health Administration at 775-328-2400 or email [email protected]. Air quality questions go to 775-784-7200.
