In the Las Vegas Municipal Code, a short term vacation rental is the rental of a residential housing unit for less than 30 days. The following is a complete guideline for Las Vegas’ short term rental regulations so that anyone can be a responsible host when using platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and other similar services. This rundown should give you a good start in understanding your local laws.
To operate an STR, short term rental operators should obtain a Conditional Use Verification (CUV). A short term rental may operate if it fits the following criteria:
- The owner must occupy the property.
- The bedrooms a property can have cannot be more than three. The number of bedrooms is based on the data of the Clark County Assessor.
- There should be at least 660 feet of distance between the property and any other short term rental.
- The property must be in a location where the City has permitted short term residential rentals to operate.
Business License Application
Prior to operating a short term rental, all STRs must acquire a Business License. The following are several special requirements and restrictions that apply to the license application:
- Casitas, trailers, tents, any mobile units, or other accessory structures may not be used for dwelling, sleeping, or lodging purposes.
- All advertisements should include the Business License Number.
- The licensee must show proof of liability insurance coverage with a minimum amount of $500,000.
- The residence must have a placard listing the maximum occupancy and a 24-hour phone number for complaints.
- A distance of 660 feet must be between each short term residential rental.
- The license holder must be the owner of the property.
- The hosting platform on which STR operators will advertise the units must be listed in the license application.
- STR operators must include an affidavit attesting that there are no delinquent room tax liabilities or liens on the property and in the application.
- A Corporation/LLC/Trust documentation may be applicable.
- STR operators must include a floor plan indicating the bedrooms and living spaces and the bedroom occupied by the property owner during the rental periods.
Inspection
A property inspection will be necessary for the Conditional Use Verification (CUV) Permit approval process. The inspector will check for a variety of life safety and related criteria and the number of bedrooms in the property. Moreover, the inspector will also check all renovations and additions property owners have made to the original structure for building permits.
The property must comply with all applicable building and fire safety rules for a residence. It must also comply with any additional short term rental regulations for the commercial use of the property. The regulations include:
- Property owners should correctly position fire extinguishers in the garage, kitchen, and on each floor. They should also have valid service tags from a contractor recognized by the State of Nevada Fire Marshal.
- Interconnected smoke detectors must be present in each sleeping room and throughout the residence.
- Property owners must install carbon monoxide detectors in several locations of the residence with fuel-fired appliances.
Occupancy Limits
A short term rental unit’s maximum occupancy must not exceed either of the following limits:
- A maximum of two people per bedroom (excluding minors under the age of twelve)
- The Uniform Housing Code’s maximum occupancy limits for residential dwellings, as implemented in LVMC Chapter 16.20.
If guests reduce the number of adults residing in the rental, they can increase the number of children under the age of 12. But the number of adults cannot be increased by reducing the number of children. At no time throughout the rental duration should there be more than two adults per bedroom.
Common Violations
Property owners and tenants must follow all rules regarding noise, parking, and business permits. The City does not allow weddings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday parties, or other forms of special events. Here are a few common violations:
- Noise: The Las Vegas Municipal Code prohibits outside music or excessive noise that is audible 50 feet from the property border.
- Parking: All vehicles belonging to short term rental residents must be parked in the driveway. Vehicles must not impede the driveways of neighboring properties or community mailboxes.
- Trash: In compliance with Chapter 9.08 of the Las Vegas Municipal Code requirements, litter or waste should not be left out. Moreover, property owners or tenants should also not store trash in public view unless they properly keep it in containers for collection.
Other Short Term Rental Regulations
As a responsible host, you must comprehend and abide by other contracts or vacation rental rules and regulations that bind you. These include leases, community rules, HOA rules, or other guidelines set up by tenant associations. Feel free to reach out to your landlord, housing authority, or community council to find out more. To get more information about other regulations, you can also visit Las Vegas’ official website or contact us.
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