History: 
The Clark County Business License Department was established by Ordinance #621 on June 19, 1979.  The responsibilities of the Business License Department are outlined in Clark County Code Chapter 2.03 and the Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board was created through Chapter 3.40.  Title 6 governs general business licenses, while Title 7 governs regulated businesses, and Title 8 governs privileged licenses.  Chapter 4.08 governs the departments responsibility for the collection of transient lodging tax and Chapter 9.04 governs Solid Waste Management which the Department administers for the County.     

Services: 
The department ensures public health and safety through the licensure of businesses which fall into the three major types: General, Regulated and Privileged. These licenses are issued strictly for those businesses doing business in unincorporated Clark County. The department also administers a film permitting process for various types of filming activities requested by the movie industry.  

General Statistics:  

Active Licenses:  Approximately 54,450

A Brief Overview:

Business licenses are issued based upon the location of the business and business activity conducted. All business licenses are subject to public safety inspections by the Clark County Comprehensive Planning, Fire, and Building departments. Certain business licenses will also require inspections by the Southern Nevada Health District, Clark County Animal Control, and Clark County Department of Air Quality. In addition, there are a number of business license categories that require criminal history and financial suitability background investigations conducted by the Department Special Agents and Audit Staff and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The Business License website contains a Jurisdiction Locater to determine whether your business is located in the unincorporated Clark County. The website also contains a list of license requirements and the necessary forms. While the Department is currently working on an on-line application process, applications cannot be submitted electronically. The Department is open Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Applicants for General Business Licenses can walk-in between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to see a Business License Technician to receive information, application packets and to drop off completed applications. Liquor and Gaming Specialists and Regulated License Technicians are available by appointment by calling (702) 455-4125 (Liquor and Gaming) or (702) 455-0174 (Regulated).

License application fees can be paid with cash, check, cashiers check or money orders payable to the Department of Business License. If your license requires a background investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, the Department will provide you with the investigation application forms and submit your application to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Fees for background applications must be paid by check, cashiers check or money orders payable to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Most General Licenses are issued within 45 days after the Department receives a complete application and public safety inspections are approved for the business location. Regulated and Liquor and Gaming Licenses take longer to complete criminal history and financial suitability background investigations. Under certain circumstances, temporary licenses can be issued by the Director to allow you to conduct business pending the final approval of the your business license. 

Disclaimer:
The Clark County Department of Business License makes every effort to produce and publish the most current and accurate information possible.  However, no warranties, expressed or implied, are provided for the data herein, its use, or its interpretation.  Issuance of a business license is not an endorsement of the business practices of the licensee.