LAS VEGAS, Nevada (FOX5) — Clark County has begun issuing a handful of short-term rental licenses while hundreds are still waiting for an opportunity to operate legally.
Three licenses were issued in unincorporated Clark County, according to county officials. The county regulates key Las Vegas Valley neighborhoods and corridors such as the Las Vegas Strip, Paradise Township, the Southwest Valley and areas of Summerlin. Cities such as Las Vegas and Henderson issue licenses and regulate short-term rentals within their jurisdiction.
In March 2023, the names of potential applicants were drawn in a short-term rental lottery conducted by the county to determine the order in which applications would be reviewed and licenses issued. More than 1,300 names were drawn at that time.
In the months that followed, county officials accepted applications, extended deadlines, reviewed applications for completeness, and released eligible applications to continue the licensing process.
Rachael Gore was drawn as “number 10” in the lottery and now has a license.
“It’s so bittersweet because I know there are so many people waiting and they have no idea how long they’re going to wait. I’ve been waiting a very long time,” said Gore, who has waited 17 months for a license since the lottery. The sixth-grade teacher said she’s glad she can supplement her income in Las Vegas’ tough real estate market.
Others, whose names were drawn much later, worry about the wait: Louis Koorndyk’s properties were drawn in the 900s and 1200s.
“I try to keep looking to the future. I realize I don’t have that much time left,” said Koorndyk, who is battling cancer.
FOX5 asks Clark County how many potential homeowners are still waiting for application review.
The wait for a legal path has taken years. In the summer of 2022, Clark County passed an ordinance for short-term rental operations. The ordinance was advanced by a 2021 law that requires cities and counties to create a process for licensing and regulations.
FOX5 asked Clark County about the criticism of the length of the process and how long it might take to review all applicants.
“Per Clark County Code 7.100 – Short-Term Rental Units, a Clark County business license is required to ensure that each application meets all requirements for licensing, which requires careful review and due diligence…there are factors that impact the timeliness of this process, such as applicants submitting their fees on time and their inspections being scheduled,” a spokesperson wrote in an email.
Applicants must pay a $150 inspection fee to the fire department and schedule and conduct the inspection.
County officials said there are currently 16 homeowners waiting for an inspection.
The Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association has asked Clark County to speed up its process. Many potential applicants have abandoned the process out of frustration with the wait. Others who are struggling financially have applied illegally to make ends meet, said spokeswoman Jackie Flores.
Clark County told FOX5 that 561 citations were issued for illegal short-term rentals in 2024 alone.
GLVSTRA issued the following statement:
The Greater Las Vegas Short Term Rental Association is pleased that Clark County has begun issuing short term rental licenses. We hope this process will be expedited as many applicants have waited years to comply with the law.
We will continue to closely monitor the licensing process to ensure that Las Vegas homeowners are treated fairly. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights of property owners who seek to supplement their income through short-term rentals like those on Airbnb. We will work diligently to ensure that these opportunities are not unfairly restricted in favor of protecting corporate interests in our state.
We encourage all property owners to stay informed and engaged as we advocate for their rights in this evolving environment.”
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