How Boulder City Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

If you live in Boulder City or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Boulder City has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Occupancy Limits

Boulder City does not publish STR occupancy caps because STRs are banned. Residential occupancy is governed by building code and health standards applicable to all dwellings.

Key details: STR Status: Prohibited citywide. Occupancy Basis: Building and property maintenance codes. Long-term Rentals: NRS 118A habitability. STR-specific Cap: None — banned. Contact: Boulder City 702-293-9200.

STR operation fines up to 500 dollars per day; separate code enforcement for overcrowding.

This is one of the stricter rules in Boulder City's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Insurance Requirements

Boulder City does not require STR liability insurance because STRs are banned citywide. Long-term landlords should carry standard landlord or rental dwelling policies.

Key details: STR Status: Prohibited — no insurance program. AB 363 Reference: Common 500k liability floor. Long-term Owners: Landlord dwelling policy recommended. Homeowners Policy: Verify rental coverage. Enforcement: Up to 500 dollars per day STR fine.

No city-imposed insurance penalties; STR operation fines up to 500 dollars per day for any illegal rental.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Boulder City actively enforces its insurance requirements requirements.

Parking Rules

Short-term rentals are prohibited in Boulder City, so no STR-specific parking requirements exist. Standard residential parking and street storage rules apply to all dwellings.

Key details: STR Status: Prohibited citywide. Standard Parking: Title 11 zoning and Title 10 traffic. Street Limit: Commonly 72-hour rule. RV Storage: Restricted on residential lots. HOA Overlay: May further limit parking.

Parking citations for over-limit street storage plus STR operation fines up to 500 dollars per day.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Boulder City actively enforces its parking rules requirements.

Registration Rules

Boulder City operates no STR registration system. The March 26, 2024 ordinance bans STRs outright, so there is no application, hosting platform ID, or registration number to obtain.

Key details: Registration: None — STRs banned. State Framework: AB 363 (2021) not applied. Renewal: N/A. Long-term License: Business license per Title 5. Daily Fine: Up to 500 dollars.

STR operation fines up to 500 dollars per day; hosting platforms may also face state-level remittance obligations.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Boulder City actively enforces its registration rules requirements.

Night Caps

Boulder City does not impose an annual cap on STR nights because STRs are fully prohibited. Any rental under 30 consecutive days is banned, regardless of frequency.

Key details: Night Cap: None — outright ban instead. Threshold: Under 30 days = prohibited. Allowed: 30+ day long-term rentals. Effective: March 26, 2024. Daily Fine: Up to 500 dollars.

Fines up to 500 dollars per day for any STR booking under 30 days, regardless of annual volume.

This is one of the stricter rules in Boulder City's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Noise Rules

Because short-term rentals are banned in Boulder City, no STR-specific noise standards exist. General residential noise limits apply, including 70 dB cap and 7 AM to 8 PM music hours.

Key details: STR Status: Prohibited citywide. Residential dB: 70 dB max at all times. Music Hours: 7 AM to 8 PM. Enforcement: Boulder City Police 702-293-9224. Nuisance Code: BCMC Title 7.

Civil citation or misdemeanor for noise violations, plus STR operation fines up to 500 dollars per day.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Boulder City actively enforces its noise rules requirements.

Permit Requirements

Boulder City does not issue short-term rental permits. Effective March 26, 2024, the City Council codified a citywide ban on STRs. No permit or license pathway exists for rentals under 30 days.

Key details: Status: Prohibited citywide. Effective: March 26, 2024. Definition: Under 30 consecutive days. Fine: Up to 500 dollars per day. Long-term: 30+ day rentals still allowed.

Fines up to 500 dollars per day, plus potential injunctive relief to halt operation.

This is one of the stricter rules in Boulder City's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Taxes & Fees

STRs are prohibited in Boulder City, so no tax or fee structure applies. No transient lodging tax framework for residential STRs.

Key details: STR Status: Prohibited — no tax framework. State Law: NRS 244.335 / 268.095 (inapplicable). Contact: Boulder City / (702) 293-9200. Contact: Boulder City / (702) 293-9200.

Operating an STR: up to $500/day fine. No tax framework — STRs are banned entirely.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Boulder City actively enforces its taxes & fees requirements.

The Bottom Line

Boulder City is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 8 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Boulder City, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Boulder City's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.