Clark County shortens STR license decision time to 45 days
Deputy District Attorney Jeff Rogan presented the new rules Tuesday, which preserve existing standards while speeding up the review process following a federal court order.
By Javier Sanders ·
Clark County Commissioners unanimously approved a new ordinance Tuesday that requires the county to process short-term rental license applications within 45 business days. The measure responds to a recent federal injunction that stalled the local government's efforts to regulate the industry.
The legal dispute began in June 2025 when the Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association sued the county, arguing the rules infringed on property rights. Airbnb joined the lawsuit later. In December, U.S. District Judge Miranda Du ruled that banning owners from renting out properties could violate the 14th Amendment. She placed a moratorium on fines and liens, preventing the county from enforcing its licensing requirements.
Deputy District Attorney Jeff Rogan, who presented the new ordinance, stated that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently told the county that applicants need a meaningful opportunity to apply and have their cases processed in a reasonable time. Under the new rules, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis once complete. Applicants have 14 days to respond to county requests, and the appeal window for denials shrinks from 30 days to 14. Fees are now due only after approval.
The county is not changing the underlying licensing standards, inspections, or enforcement rules. Rogan noted that the court's concerns focused on the process rather than the regulations themselves. The new workflow begins with an intake appointment at the business license office, followed by eligibility checks and a fire inspection.
Revised applications will be available on Dec. 1. Residents can schedule intake appointments starting Dec. 15, with the first appointments set for 8 a.m. on Jan. 5. Rogan said the county will process applications immediately, provided they are not part of a cluster. Clusters formed when multiple applications fell within 1,000 feet of each other, requiring a specific order of decision. The 242 licenses already issued will automatically disqualify new applications within that distance.
The market has contracted sharply during the legal standoff. AirDNA data shows Las Vegas had just 250 active short-term rental listings as of October, a roughly 99% drop from the previous year. Those remaining listings averaged 47% occupancy and $230 per night. Fourty-seven applications are currently pending and will follow the new timelines once the ordinance takes effect at the end of November.
Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick said the commission will review the system's performance by mid-February. She acknowledged that some operators remain unhappy with the distance requirement but argued that fixing the process is the necessary first step. "This'll start January, right, and then we'll be able to have you come back, I believe, by mid-February to tell us what you're seeing," Kirkpatrick said.
