This is an update to our October 7 article on the appeals court ruling. On October 20, 2026, Clark County introduced a draft ordinance that would change how short-term rental licenses are handled in the county’s unincorporated areas. News 3 reports that a public hearing is scheduled for November 3 at 10 a.m., and FOX 5 reports a possible vote. This article was written before that hearing, so check with the county for the result.
What the draft would change
- No more lottery. Complete applications would be considered in the order received. The county’s March 2023 lottery drew more than 1,300 names, FOX 5 reports.
- 45 business days. The draft sets this period after a final decision on the preceding application. The clock stops when the county asks for more information and during inspections and zoning review. An applicant who does not answer a request within 14 calendar days can be denied.
- A new zoning label. Short-term rentals would become a conditional commercial use in certain zoning districts. News 3 reports that the Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association opposes this, while it calls the end of the lottery an improvement.
- Spacing rules stay. The draft moves them into the zoning code: 1,000 feet from another short-term rental and 2,500 feet from a resort hotel, with no waivers. The 1,000-foot rule does not apply to individually owned units in a multifamily building.
- Past violations. According to News 3, the draft removes provisions that bar licenses for anyone with a history of fines or court violations.
What is still open
FOX 5 reports that the county could reopen its application portal if a federal injunction is narrowed, but it gives no date. It also reports that a spring 2025 county presentation showed six applications processed per week, and that Jackie Flores of the association says people have waited more than four years. In the draft, operating without a license carries a fine of $1,000 to $10,000 per day.
What does this mean for you?
Before you buy or apply in unincorporated Clark County, measure the address against the 1,000-foot and 2,500-foot rules, and check the zoning district and your HOA documents. Even without a lottery, a license can fail because of where the home is.
If you already applied, keep your proof, keep your contact details current and answer county requests quickly. Read the final text once it is adopted and have a Nevada attorney check how it applies to you.
Sources
- Clark County: Draft ordinance on short-term rental amendments (PDF) (October 20, 2026)
- FOX5 Las Vegas: Clark County aims to speed up short-term rental license applications (October 20, 2026)
- News 3 Las Vegas: Homeowners push back as Clark Co. proposes new short-term rental rules amid legal battle (October 20, 2026)
