LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Clark County code enforcement officers are adding new ways to crack down on illegal short-term rentals and problem properties, all while hundreds of applications for licenses continue to be processed at a pace of six per week.
The new strategies are meant to crack down on problem properties that continue to violate local laws, and cause problems for Valley neighborhoods. A group of homeowners has remained critical of the crackdowns, as the path to become a legal listing remains time-consuming.
The “Short-Term Rental Education Enforcement Team” or STREET Team manage the complaints and violations.
According to Clark County Code Enforcement, rather than simply responding to complaints, technology will be used for “proactive enforcement” to scan listings for violations. A hired vendor will scan listings and cross-reference the corresponding address, according to a presentation to the Clark County Commission.
It is a violation to list an unlicensed short-term rental, per Title 7 of County code.
Unpaid fines can be placed as a lien on the property, according to new code changes starting in February. Fines more than $5,000 can be placed as a special assessment on the tax roll.
More than 5,700 cases have been opened since 2018.
Around 93% of cases are closed without any fines. Fines can range from $1,000- $10,000 per day.
It has taken years for homeowners to go through inspections to finally get approved for a license.
In the Summer 2022, Clark County created an ordinance for short-term rentals to operate. The ordinance was spurred by 2021 legislation mandating that cities and counties create a process for licenses and regulations.
In March 2023, prospective applicants had their names drawn in a County-run short-term rental lottery, all to determine an order for applications to be reviewed and licenses to be granted. More than 1,300 names were drawn at the time.
As of Thursday, 183 applications have been processed, 311 have been denied, and 336 are pending.
According to a presentation to Clark County commissioners, at a rate of six applications per week, it would take 1.5 years to review and process the rest of the applications in the queue (the timeframe could change, if various pending applications are deemed ineligible).
Business licensing officials proposed some changes to ease the application process: allowing future applicants to be processed based on their order of submission, allowing homes with septic tanks to be eligible to apply, and requiring insurance at the time of licensure– not at the time of application.
The April 1 presentation was prompted by a request from Commissioner Justin Jones. County officials said he could not comment due to pending litigation, but gave this statement:
“I share my neighbors’ frustrations about unlicensed short-term rentals operating outside the rules. Partnering with rental platforms to enforce the law against bad actors is critical to protecting our communities. Meanwhile, we’re working diligently with our Business License team to process applications both thoroughly and efficiently.”
“It’s actually a horrible job that they’ve done. We’re going on year 3 now and less than 15% of the applications that were submitted have been approved,” said Jackie Flores of the Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association.
Flores pointed out a contrast for the permitting process for Formula One.
“All the departments came together and approved so many permits and licenses in record time for a big corporation. But when it comes to regular people, regular folks that are trying to make ends meet somehow, things run at a very slow pace,” she said.
The GLVSTRA is working to refile its case against Clark County with the Nevada Supreme Court. The group had taken the county to district court, calling the regulations on private property a government overreach.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
