Commission approves retroactive wall‑height waiver in Spring Valley after homeowners cite repeated break‑ins

The Clark County Planning Commission on March 5 approved a waiver of development standards to legalize an increased wall height at a single‑family residence in Spring Valley after the homeowner said the work followed a series of break‑ins.

Applicant representative Jameson Theodore told the commission the homeowners had been the victims of two break‑ins within 18 months and had added courses and wrought iron to an existing wall to increase security. The addition included one new course of block and wrought‑iron arches that reach a 9‑foot peak; the block portion measures about 7 feet, 3 inches to the top of the masonry. The homeowner subsequently applied for building permits; the Building Department advised that a waiver of standards was required before it could approve the permit.

Code enforcement recorded the matter as a wall built without permits; the applicant said an engineer verified footings and the homeowner applied for the necessary permits after the work took place. Commissioners examined photos and elevations in the record and discussed neighborhood context; the chair and several commissioners said they would permit the retrofit up to the 9‑foot peak given the security history, while urging applicants and contractors to obtain permits before construction.

Commissioners imposed a condition that all required building permits be pulled and inspections completed within one year; staff noted and the commission removed an advisory referencing a two‑year completion window. The motion to approve passed.

Commissioners cautioned that approving a retroactive waiver in this case should not set a precedent for future unpermitted work and encouraged contractors to seek permits before altering walls and fences.