Storey County Nevada Landlord-Tenant Law: Virginia City, the Comstock Lode, and the Gigafactory Next Door
No county in Nevada — and possibly no county in America — contains a more unlikely pairing than Storey County. On the western slopes of the Virginia Range, Virginia City preserves one of the most authentic 19th-century streetscapes in the American West, its Victorian saloons, opera house, and mansion-lined streets essentially unchanged from the days when Mark Twain reported for the Territorial Enterprise and the Comstock Lode’s silver bonanza made Nevada a state. Fifteen miles to the northeast in the flat industrial expanse of the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, the Tesla Gigafactory rises from the desert floor — one of the largest buildings by footprint in the world, producing batteries and electric vehicles for the 21st-century economy. These two Storey Counties coexist in a jurisdiction of roughly 4,000 residents, and understanding which one defines your rental property is the starting point for landlords operating here.
All residential tenancies in Storey County are governed by NRS Chapter 118A and NRS Chapter 40. The Storey County Justice Court at 26 S. B Street in Virginia City handles all eviction filings. There is no local rent control, no good-cause eviction requirement, and no county supplement to state law. The court handles very low eviction volume — the residential population is so small that the Justice Court likely sees more criminal and traffic matters than landlord-tenant filings in most years.
Virginia City: Renting History
Virginia City’s residential rental market is as distinctive as the town itself. The housing stock consists largely of Victorian-era wooden structures ranging from modest miner’s cottages to substantial merchant homes, most dating from the 1860s through the 1880s. These properties have survived because of the town’s National Historic Landmark designation, which has encouraged preservation rather than replacement. For a landlord, owning a rental in Virginia City means owning a piece of genuine Nevada history — but it also means managing aging infrastructure, original plumbing and electrical systems in some cases, and the aesthetic expectations of a designated historic district.
Historic district designation in Virginia City has practical implications for landlords beyond aesthetics. Exterior modifications to properties within the National Historic Landmark District typically require review through Storey County’s historic preservation process. Adding a satellite dish, replacing original windows with modern vinyl units, or painting a building in colors inconsistent with the historic palette may require county approval before work begins. Landlords planning any exterior changes to Virginia City properties should consult with Storey County planning before committing to a contractor.
The move-in checklist required by NRS § 118A.200 takes on particular importance in historic properties. Original wood floors, plaster walls, period-appropriate millwork, and vintage fixtures all have pre-existing character — the honest wear of 150 years — that must be clearly documented at move-in so that it is not confused with tenant-caused damage at move-out. Thorough photographs of every room, every surface, and every unique period element at move-in, signed by the tenant, is essential baseline documentation for any Virginia City rental.
Virginia City’s tourism economy also creates a meaningful short-term rental opportunity. The town draws substantial visitor traffic throughout the year, peaking during the summer tourism season and during events like Camel Races and various motorcycle rallies. Furnished vacation rentals in the historic district can command rates well above long-term market rents during peak periods. Landlords weighing a short-term versus long-term strategy should verify current Storey County STR permit requirements, as the regulatory landscape for short-term rentals has evolved in Nevada tourism markets.
The TRIC Corridor: A Different Storey County
The Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center occupies the eastern lowlands of Storey County, a stark contrast to Virginia City’s mountain townscape. TRIC is home to Tesla’s Gigafactory, Panasonic’s battery manufacturing operations, Switch’s data centers, and a growing roster of logistics and manufacturing companies that have been drawn by Nevada’s business-friendly environment and the site’s interstate access. The TRIC employers collectively employ thousands of workers, making the industrial park a significant regional employment center.
However, the vast majority of TRIC workers live in Sparks, Reno, or Lyon County rather than in Storey County itself. Virginia City is 30 minutes from TRIC and not a convenient commute base for factory workers who work standard shift schedules. The small community of Mound House on US-50 near the TRIC entrance has absorbed some residential development serving the industrial park, and that community’s rental market is more closely related to Lyon County’s Fernley/Dayton market than to Virginia City’s tourism economy.
For landlords with properties in or near Mound House or the US-50 corridor near TRIC, screening TRIC worker tenants follows standard practices: W-2 income verification, pay stubs, and employment letters are appropriate tools. Tesla and Panasonic direct employees have stable, well-documented income. Manufacturing shift workers on hourly wages have predictable pay schedules that make income verification straightforward.
Nevada’s eviction process applies uniformly throughout Storey County. A nonpayment eviction requires a 7-day judicial notice to pay or quit (NRS § 40.2512), counting only court business days. Curable violations require a 5-day judicial notice to cure or quit (NRS § 40.2514). No-cause terminations require 30 days for tenants under one year and 60 days for tenants over one year (NRS § 40.251). Writs are executed by the constable. Self-help is prohibited under NRS § 118A.390. Virginia City’s elevation of 6,220 feet means heating is an essential service under NRS Chapter 118A, and the aging heating systems in historic buildings require particular attention before each winter season.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Residential evictions in Storey County are filed in the Storey County Justice Court, 26 S. B St, Virginia City, NV 89440, (775) 847-0967. Nevada’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (NRS Chapter 118A) and NRS Chapter 40 govern all residential tenancies. Nonpayment: 7-day judicial notice (NRS § 40.2512). Lease violations: 5-day judicial notice (NRS § 40.2514). No-cause termination: 30 days (<1 year tenancy) or 60 days (>1 year tenancy) (NRS § 40.251). All notice periods count judicial days only. Security deposit cap: 3 months’ rent; return deadline: 30 days. No rent control. Writ of restitution executed by constable. Self-help eviction prohibited (NRS § 118A.390). Consult a licensed Nevada attorney for specific guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
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