The Clark County Department of Business License makes sure that each business within the unincorporated area of Clark County is zoned correctly, that the business location meets all health and safety code standards, that it ensures the safety of others and that the business is regulated properly per Clark County Code 6.04.010.  See contact information below:  

Fire Prevention Department: 702-455-7316 (select 0 for general information)        

Southern Nevada Health District: (for food and other establishments):  702-759-1000

A jurisdiction is an area with a set of laws under the control of a system of courts, which are different from neighboring areas. The location from which you conduct your business determines the jurisdiction in which you must file for your business license. Clark County comprises of 6 jurisdictions, each with its own licensing agency – the City of Henderson, the City of Las Vegas, the City of North Las Vegas, Boulder City, the City of Mesquite and Unincorporated Clark County. The Jurisdiction Locator will help you identify the jurisdiction of the location for which you are opening your business.

Yes. NRS 76 requires all businesses, corporations, and partnerships operating in the state of Nevada to have a state business license.

Please visit our Apply for a Business License page for information on general, regulated and privileged licenses.

Most general licenses are issued within 45 days after the Department receives a complete application. Public safety inspections are generally conducted and approved for the business during this time.

A sidewalk vendor is a person selling food items and/or non-alcoholic beverages upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path from a conveyance, including, a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase or rack. The term includes a nonstationary sidewalk vendor and a stationary sidewalk vendor.

Currently, sidewalk vendors are NOT legally permitted to operate within unincorporated Clark County. The County must first set up a process to license sidewalk vendors.

Clark County is actively developing an ordinance to license and regulate sidewalk vendors selling food. In the coming weeks, the County will hold townhalls and industry meetings and solicit comments before proposing a draft ordinance.

Per Clark County Code 18.03.050:

(a)        Any person, firm or corporation violating the terms of this chapter outside a residential zone is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced to serve a term in the county jail or not more than six months or to pay a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or shall be punished by both such fine and imprisonment.

(b)        Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), any person, firm or corporation violating the terms of this chapter outside a residential zone may be issued, in lieu of a criminal penalty, following the penalties, which are cumulative and may be exercised in any order or combination and at any time:

(1)        a written notice of violation by any person authorized to prepare, sign and serve written citations on persons accused of violating a county ordinance; or

(2)        a civil administrative citation by any person authorized to prepare, sign and serve written citations on persons accused of violating a county ordinance. Each administrative citation shall contain the information required by Section 1.14.020 of this code and assess a corresponding fine amount of not more than five hundred dollars for each offense.

(c)        Any person, firm or corporation violating the terms of this chapter in a residential zone shall be subject to following the penalties, which are cumulative and may be exercised in any order or combination and at any time:

(1)        a written notice of violation by any person authorized to prepare, sign and serve written citations on persons accused of violating a county ordinance;

(2)        a civil administrative citation by any person authorized to prepare, sign and serve written citations on persons accused of violating a county ordinance. Each administrative citation shall contain the information required by Section 1.14.020 of this code and assess a corresponding fine amount of not more than five hundred dollars for each offense.

Per Senate Bill 92, passed by the State of Nevada Legislature in 2023, it is prohibited to operate as a sidewalk vendor 1500 ft from a resort hotel, some event facilities, the convention center, and medians of highways that are adjacent to a parking lot.

Yes, once the ordinance is adopted a map will be posted of the areas where a person may engage in the act of sidewalk vending.

Yes. Per Senate Bill 92, passed by the State of Nevada Legislature in 2023, the local board of health is required to adopt regulations to establish a process for a person to apply for a permit, license or other authorization from the local board of health to operate as a sidewalk vendor. Southern Nevada Health Permit Southern Nevada Health District for food and other establishments:  702-759-1000

No, sale of liquor requires a separate license per Clark County Code 8.20.270 License required when—Exceptions the sale and service of liquor will not be allowed.(a) It is unlawful within the county, outside the incorporated cities and towns, both within and without the unincorporated cities and towns, for any person, social club or association or persons of any kind whatsoever to sell, serve, allow consumption, give away or distribute, or cause or permit to be sold, offered for sale, served, given away or distributed, any alcoholic, spirituous, vinous, malt or intoxicating liquor, or any of the alcoholic liquors mentioned in this chapter, without first making application for and securing a license.

No, the sale of cannabis requires a separate license per Clark County Code 8.65.040 License required. It is unlawful for anyone to operate a cannabis establishment without first obtaining a county business license. In order to obtain a business license, a special use permit must be obtained from the county comprehensive planning department and a cannabis establishment license must be obtained from the compliance board.

Yes, a complaint can be submitted by calling 702-455-6562, or by emailing CCBLEnforcement@ClarkCountyNV.gov. You can also complete the online complaint form by clicking here.

Additionally, a complaint can be submitted to Fix It Clark County: FixIt Clark County (clarkcountynv.gov)