Pop. 16,207 · Clark County
Boulder City follows Nevada common law for boundary fences. Neighbors are generally not required to share costs unless agreed in writing per NRS principles.
Boulder City Title 11 limits front yard fences to 3 to 4 feet and side and rear yard fences to 6 feet, with stricter rules in the Historic District.
Boulder City requires a building permit for most fences over 6 feet tall and for any fence in the historic district per Title 11 Planning and Zoning.
Boulder City encourages xeriscape and native Mojave Desert plants through the SNWA Water Smart Landscapes program, with rebates for converting turf.
Boulder City allows artificial turf and Nevada AB 356 requires removal of non functional grass in commercial and HOA areas by end of 2026.
Boulder City declares overgrown weeds, dry brush, and rubbish on private property a public nuisance and can abate at the owner expense.
Boulder City requires property owners to trim trees that overhang streets or sidewalks and to keep vegetation clear of utility lines and sight triangles.
Nevada allows residential rainwater harvesting from rooftops under NRS 533.027, and Boulder City permits rain barrels for non potable landscape use.
Boulder City requires property owners to keep grass, weeds, and vegetation under 6 inches and free of dead brush to reduce fire risk in the desert climate.
Boulder City enforces SNWA water conservation under the Lake Mead crisis. Located directly adjacent to Lake Mead, the city has firsthand visibility of declining water levels. AB 356 ornamental grass ban applies.
Tree removal on private property generally does not require a city permit in Boulder City. Check Title 11 Zoning for any heritage tree provisions.
Boulder City generally prohibits chickens and livestock in residential zones. Only properties zoned R-R (Rural Residential) or larger agricultural parcels may keep limited poultry or livestock.
Boulder City requires dogs to be leashed in public areas. Off-leash is permitted only at the designated Boulder City Dog Park in Veterans Memorial Park.
Boulder City does not impose breed-specific restrictions on dogs. Regulation focuses on vicious or dangerous dog behavior regardless of breed under Title 7.
Feeding wildlife including coyotes, burros, bighorn sheep, and waterfowl is prohibited in Boulder City. Wild burros are protected federally but intentional feeding is a violation.
Livestock including horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and swine are prohibited in standard residential zones. Only R-R Rural Residential or agricultural parcels may keep livestock per acreage requirements.
Exotic pet regulations under Boulder City Code §7-3-4. Non-dangerous exotic pets may be allowed; dangerous exotic animals prohibited.
Beekeeping may be permitted in Boulder City with conditions under Title 11 Zoning. Nevada bee registration under NRS 561 required.
Nevada criminalizes animal cruelty and neglect under NRS 574.100, applicable statewide. Hoarding situations involving failure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care constitute misdemeanors, escalating to felonies for willful or repeated cruelty.
Outdoor music in Boulder City is allowed 7 AM to 8 PM residential and up to 9 PM commercial. Historic downtown events require special event permits from the City Clerk.
Industrial noise in Boulder City is capped at 100 dB during 7 AM to 9 PM and 90 dB at all other hours. Industrial zones are limited due to the controlled growth ordinance.
Boulder City does not have a dedicated leaf blower ordinance but regulates their use under the general noise code limiting residential noise to 70 decibels at all times.
Amplified music in Boulder City must comply with the 70 dB residential limit and musical instrument hours of 7 AM to 8 PM. Special event permits required for amplified outdoor events.
Boulder City sets hard decibel limits: 70 dB residential at all times, 100 dB commercial 7 AM to 9 PM, 90 dB commercial at other hours. Among the strictest in Clark County.
Nuisance barking dogs prohibited under Boulder City nuisance and animal codes. Title 7 Police Regulations governs animal-related disturbances.
Boulder City limits residential noise to 70 decibels at all times. Musical instruments restricted to 7 AM–8 PM. Noise ordinance effective February 2022.
Construction allowed 5 AM–8 PM (May–September) and 6 AM–7 PM (October–April). No Sunday restriction specified but general noise limits apply.
Aircraft noise is federally regulated. Boulder City is near Henderson Executive Airport and Las Vegas area airspace. No local aircraft noise ordinance.
Boulder City requires a minimum 5-foot barrier around residential pools with self-closing, self-latching gates. Requirements align with Clark County pool code and NRS 461A state pool safety law.
Boulder City requires electrical permits for hot tub installation and mandates locking safety covers meeting ASTM F1346 standards or barrier fencing for spas holding more than 24 inches of water.
Boulder City requires a building permit for all in-ground and permanent above-ground pools and spas. Plans must meet International Building Code, Clark County pool code, and state pool safety law NRS 461A.
Boulder City requires building permits for above-ground pools over 24 inches deep and mandates barrier fencing at least 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates around residential pools.
Boulder City layers pool safety: NRS 461A barriers and gates, anti-entrapment drain covers under the federal VGB Act, and Clark County public pool standards. Private pools need proper electrical bonding.
Boulder City is not mapped in a state Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Zone but does face Mojave Desert brush fire risk. Fire Code defensible space rules apply around structures.
Boulder City requires property owners to maintain defensible space and clear dry vegetation. Desert landscaping reduces brush fire risk but weeds and tumbleweeds must be cleared.
Boulder City adopts the International Fire Code requiring smoke detectors in all sleeping areas, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the dwelling. Hardwired with battery backup in new construction.
Boulder City prohibits consumer fireworks year-round and restricts open burning. Small recreational fires in approved containers are allowed; permits required for larger open burns.
Boulder City allows fire pits following fire code clearance requirements. Open-flame devices must be 10 feet from combustible construction. LP-gas features with exceptions for single-family dwellings. Burn season restrictions may apply to wood-burning pits.
Outdoor burning is tightly restricted in Boulder City. Open burning generally prohibited in the urban area; gas/propane fire pits may be permitted.
Consumer fireworks are PROHIBITED in Boulder City. All fireworks including sparklers banned; only licensed professional displays permitted.
Nevada regulates liquefied petroleum gas storage and handling statewide under NRS 590 and NAC 590, adopting NFPA 58 by reference and licensing dealers, installers, and bulk storage facilities through the Board for the Regulation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Boulder City prohibits exterior signage, window displays, and advertising for home occupations. The residence must appear unchanged from the street, and no commercial identification is permitted.
Boulder City permits home occupations as accessory uses in residential zones subject to Title 11 zoning standards. The business must remain clearly secondary to residential use and not alter the neighborhood character.
Cottage food operations are governed by Nevada state law under NRS 446. Boulder City residents may sell approved low-risk homemade foods after registering with the Southern Nevada Health District.
Boulder City home occupations must not generate customer or client traffic beyond normal residential levels. On-site visits by customers are tightly limited or prohibited to preserve neighborhood character.
Boulder City requires a city business license for all home-based businesses plus the Nevada state business license under NRS 76. Home occupation approval is processed through Community Development.
Home-based daycares in Boulder City must meet Nevada state licensing through the Bureau of Child Care Licensing, plus Boulder City zoning and fire inspection. Ratios and background checks are required.
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.
Boulder City does not require STR liability insurance because STRs are banned citywide. Long-term landlords should carry standard landlord or rental dwelling policies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
STRs are prohibited in Boulder City, so no tax or fee structure applies. No transient lodging tax framework for residential STRs.
Boulder City requires building permits for all carports regardless of size, with minimum 5-foot side setbacks and 20-foot front setbacks in most residential zones, and architectural review in HOA communities.
Boulder City permits tiny homes on foundations meeting full IRC requirements but generally does not allow tiny homes on wheels as permanent dwellings outside of approved RV parks.
ADUs are NOT PERMITTED in Boulder City R1 single-family zones. Boulder City has opted for maximum restriction under state law. No detached ADUs or accessory dwellings allowed.
Sheds and accessory structures regulated under Boulder City Title 5 (Building) and Title 11 (Zoning). Permits required for structures over 200 sq ft or with utilities.
Garage conversions to living space are generally not permitted in Boulder City R1 zones, consistent with ADU restrictions.
Boulder City has no dedicated EV charging ordinance. Residential Level 2 chargers require standard electrical permits via the Building Department. NRS 116.2111 protects HOA residents.
Boulder City permits overnight on-street parking if the vehicle is registered and not parked in one spot more than 72 hours. Enforcement follows NRS 487 for abandoned vehicles.
Boulder City requires paved driveways in most residential zones and prohibits parking on unimproved surfaces. Driveway widths and curb cuts are regulated by city code and Public Works.
Boulder City allows RV and boat storage on private property only on approved surfaces (concrete, asphalt, gravel, or chat). Cannot park on dirt or grass. Must be within 1 foot of public streets. Cannot be occupied in residential zones.
Street parking limited to 24 hours unless contiguous to owner's residence; maximum 72 hours per NV state law. Boulder City Traffic Regulation §10-6-3.
Commercial vehicle parking in residential areas regulated under Boulder City's strict community character and zoning codes.
Junk or abandoned vehicles may not remain on private property more than 72 hours. Street vehicles subject to impoundment after violation.
Scaffolds in Boulder City are regulated by federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L and Nevada OSHA, requiring competent person inspection and fall protection above 10 feet on construction projects.
Elevators in Boulder City are regulated by the Nevada State Mechanical Compliance Section requiring annual inspections and permits for installation, alteration, and major repairs under NRS 455C.
Boulder City follows federal EPA RRP rules for lead paint in housing built before 1978, requiring certified renovators for disturbances over 6 square feet interior or 20 square feet exterior.
Pest control in Boulder City is regulated by the Nevada Department of Agriculture under NRS 555, requiring licensed applicators for commercial pest treatments and pesticide label compliance.
Boulder City prohibits light trespass onto neighboring properties, requiring shielded fixtures and limiting illuminance at property lines to maintain neighborhood quality and dark sky goals.
Boulder City has adopted outdoor lighting standards that require full cutoff fixtures and shielded lighting to preserve dark skies near Lake Mead National Recreation Area and reduce light pollution.
Boulder City offers scheduled bulk item pickup for residents with certain limits on quantity and type. Prohibited items include hazardous waste, tires, and construction debris, which must go to the Clark County landfill.
Boulder City requires trash and recycling carts to be placed at the curb by 6 am on pickup day and removed from public view within 24 hours after collection. Carts must not block sidewalks or driveways.
Boulder City provides municipal trash collection for residents through its Public Works department. Weekly pickup follows posted schedules with specific set-out and bin placement requirements in the municipal code.
Boulder City offers a voluntary curbside recycling program through Public Works. Recycling is not mandated by city code. Southern Nevada recycles fewer materials than other regions due to limited end markets.
Boulder City enforces stormwater regulations under the Clark County Regional Flood Control District and the Nevada DEP. Monsoon flash floods are a significant hazard in the desert setting.
Boulder City requires erosion control during grading and construction to protect Lake Mead water quality and prevent sediment runoff in the desert terrain.
Boulder City is inland but borders Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and shoreline development is regulated primarily by the National Park Service.
Boulder City requires grading permits for earthwork over set thresholds and mandates drainage that does not discharge onto neighboring property.
Boulder City participates in NFIP. FEMA flood maps apply; portions near Lake Mead and desert washes have flood zone designations.
Boulder City requires building and electrical permits for solar photovoltaic installations, with expedited SolarAPP+ permitting available for standard residential rooftop systems under 15 kilowatts.
HOAs in Boulder City cannot prohibit solar energy systems under NRS 116.335 and NRS 701B.200, though reasonable aesthetic guidelines are permitted if they do not significantly increase cost or reduce efficiency.
HOA enforcement of CC&Rs in Boulder City must follow NRS 116.31031 due process including written notice of violation, hearing rights, and limits on fine amounts for continuing violations.
HOA architectural committees in Boulder City operate under NRS 116.3102 and must respond to owner applications within 45 days, with written denials required and appeal rights preserved under state law.
HOA assessments in Boulder City are governed by NRS 116.3115 and NRS 116.31162, which establishes super-priority liens for up to nine months of assessments and regulates collection procedures.
HOA disputes in Boulder City may be addressed through the Nevada CIC Ombudsman and mandatory non-binding mediation or arbitration under NRS 38.310 before most civil lawsuits can proceed.
HOA boards in Boulder City must follow NRS Chapter 116 including open meeting requirements under NRS 116.3108, with notice posted at least 10 days in advance and executive sessions limited to specific topics.
Boulder City has no rent control. Nevada law provides no statewide rent cap. Landlords can raise rent per lease with 45 days notice for month-to-month tenancies under NRS 118A.300.
Boulder City does not have just-cause eviction protections. Landlords can terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days notice under Nevada NRS 40.251 without stating a reason, absent discrimination or retaliation.
Boulder City does not operate a long-term rental registration or inspection program. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are regulated separately. Landlords must have a Nevada business license if operating as a business.
Boulder City Title 11 limits most single family residential buildings to 30 feet or 2 stories, with stricter limits in the Historic District.
Boulder City Title 11 zoning sets typical residential setbacks of 20 to 25 feet front, 5 to 10 feet side, and 15 to 20 feet rear depending on zone.
Boulder City Title 11 limits lot coverage by buildings to typically 30 to 40 percent in residential zones to preserve open space and drainage.
Recreational drone flight in Boulder City must comply with FAA rules under 14 CFR and avoid restricted areas including Lake Mead NRA (federal 36 CFR 1.5 ban) and Boulder City airspace near Boulder City Airport.
Commercial drone operation in Boulder City requires FAA Part 107 certification and compliance with local and federal airspace rules. Lake Mead NRA prohibits commercial drone flight without a special permit.
Drone operations are prohibited in all Clark County Parks unless flown in a designated drone-approved park, by special-use permit, or with written permission of the Parks & Recreation Director. As of February 2026, Clark County expanded its list of drone-permitted parks from 8 to 28 following a campaign by local drone hobbyists. Operations must still comply with FAA Part 107 and NRS 493.109's 5-mile airport buffer rule.
Boulder City Municipal Code requires trash and recycling carts to be stored out of direct public view from the street between pickups. Visible storage in front yards or driveways is a code violation.
Boulder City enforces blight rules covering overgrown weeds, junk, inoperable vehicles, and deteriorated structures. Violations follow a notice-and-abate process with lien recovery.
Boulder City requires vacant lot owners to maintain property free from weeds, trash, and fire hazards. Unmaintained lots are subject to notice and city abatement with cost recovery.
Boulder City permits garage and yard sales at residential properties with certain limits on frequency and duration. Most garage sales do not require a permit but must comply with signage and hours rules.
Boulder City does not specifically restrict seasonal holiday displays on private residential property. Decorations must not create glare, noise, or traffic hazards and must not encroach on the public right of way.
Boulder City permits garage sale signs with limits on size, location, and duration. Signs cannot be placed on utility poles or public fixtures and must be removed within 24 hours after the sale ends.
Political signs on private residential property in Boulder City are protected speech subject to reasonable size and placement rules. Signs cannot be in the public right of way.
Boulder City enforces a juvenile curfew prohibiting minors under 18 from being in public places without adult supervision during late-night hours. Violations can result in citations to the minor and parents.
Boulder City parks close at night (commonly 10 pm or 11 pm) and reopen at dawn. Entering or remaining in a park after closing is a violation enforced by police. Lake Mead NRA parks have separate federal rules.
Boulder City prohibits obstructions in public sidewalks including overgrown vegetation, unpermitted merchandise displays, and vehicles blocking pedestrian passage.
Under Boulder City Municipal Code, adjacent property owners are generally responsible for maintaining and repairing sidewalks fronting their property. The city may order repairs and bill the owner if not completed.
Portable and standby generators must meet 47 dB day and 37 dB night residential limits at the property line per Title 30. Emergency use during an outage is exempt. Test runs should be daytime only.
Residential HVAC condensers must stay under 47 dB day and 37 dB night at the property line per Title 30. Desert 115 F heat runs AC 24/7, so compliance usually means setback or a sound blanket.
Bars outside the Gaming Enterprise District must meet 47 dB day and 37 dB night at residential property lines per Title 30. Inside the GED Strip, clubs are fully exempt. License review can deny renewal.
Most renovation work in unincorporated Clark County requires a building permit. Cosmetic work (painting, flooring, cabinets) is exempt. Structural changes, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work all require permits. Clark County adopts the International Building Code and International Residential Code.
In unincorporated Clark County, one-story detached accessory sheds of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit, provided they have no plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems. Sheds over 200 square feet require a permit. All sheds must comply with zoning setback requirements.
Fences up to 6 feet tall are exempt from building permits in unincorporated Clark County. Fences over 6 feet require a permit. All fences must comply with Title 30 zoning setback and height restrictions. Pool barrier fences have specific safety requirements.
Decks and platforms 30 inches or less above grade are exempt from permits in Clark County when accessory to a single-family dwelling. All patio covers, carports, and shade structures — whether freestanding or attached — require building permits. Concrete slab patios at grade generally do not require permits.
The most common code violations in unincorporated Clark County include unpermitted construction, blighted properties, graffiti, illegal short-term rentals, zoning violations, junk vehicles, and property maintenance issues. Clark County Code Titles 9, 11, 14, 22, and 30 govern these violations.
Clark County Code Enforcement and Public Response Office handles complaints for unincorporated Clark County. Reports can be filed by phone at (702) 455-4191, by fax, by mail, or through the online complaint portal. Anonymous complaints are accepted.
Clark County Code Enforcement prioritizes cases by severity. Health and safety hazards receive expedited attention. Standard complaints are generally investigated within 7–30 days. The enforcement process begins with education and notices before escalating to citations.
Clark County does not have a specific ordinance restricting or banning bamboo. The desert climate of southern Nevada naturally limits bamboo growth, making it uncommon. Bamboo that spreads to neighboring properties could be addressed as a nuisance under Clark County Title 11.
Nevada's Department of Agriculture maintains a noxious weed list (NAC 555.010) that applies to Clark County. Key invasive species in southern Nevada include tamarisk (salt cedar), giant reed, and Sahara mustard. The SNWA Water Smart Plant List guides recommended species for desert landscaping.
Front yard vegetable and edible gardens are permitted in unincorporated Clark County, subject to water conservation requirements. Nevada law (AB 356, 2021) bans nonfunctional turf, and Clark County enforces strict water waste ordinances through the SNWA. Xeriscaped and drip-irrigated gardens are encouraged.
Security cameras are legal on private property in Clark County. Nevada is a one-party consent state for in-person audio recording (NRS 200.620), meaning you can record conversations you are part of. Video surveillance in areas visible to the public is generally legal. Cameras must not record areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy (NRS 200.604).
Nevada has a split consent framework: one-party consent for in-person conversations (NRS 200.620) but all-party consent for telephone communications (NRS 200.650). Illegally recording or disclosing conversations is a felony punishable by 1–4 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
In unincorporated Clark County, fences up to 6 feet tall do not require a building permit. Fences over 6 feet require a permit. Clark County Title 30 governs fence height, materials, and setback requirements. Block walls are common in the Las Vegas Valley due to wind conditions.
Nevada sets statewide minimum setbacks for licensed cannabis retailers from schools, parks, and similar uses under NRS 678B.250, while authorizing cities and counties to impose additional zoning conditions within those statutory floors.
Nevada permits adults 21 and older to cultivate up to six cannabis plants per person, capped at twelve per household, only when the residence is more than 25 miles from a licensed dispensary, under NRS 678D and the state constitution.
Nevada sets minimum wage statewide through constitutional and statutory provisions, preempting local wage ordinances and standardizing employer obligations.
Nevada requires private employers with 50+ employees to provide paid leave, with statewide standards limiting local government modification of leave rules.
Nevada has no predictive scheduling law, with workplace scheduling governed by general wage-hour rules under NRS Chapter 608 and federal FLSA standards.
Nevada is a shall-issue state requiring a permit to carry concealed firearms, with sheriff-issued CCW permits valid for five years subject to training requirements.
Nevada law preempts local firearm ordinances, reserving regulation of firearms, ammunition, and components to the state legislature, with narrow exceptions.
Nevada generally permits open carry of firearms by adults without a permit, subject to location restrictions and the state preemption framework.
Nevada allows loaded firearms in private vehicles without a permit, but concealment on the person within a vehicle still requires a CCW permit under state law.
Nevada does not mandate E-Verify use by private employers, though state agencies and certain public contractors may participate voluntarily under federal contractor rules.
Nevada has no statewide statute mandating or prohibiting sanctuary policies, leaving counties and cities free to set their own immigration cooperation rules.
Nevada delegates agricultural zoning to counties and cities under NRS 278, while state law preserves farm operation rights through Right to Farm protections.
Nevada protects established agricultural operations from nuisance claims when farming activities pre-date conflicting non-agricultural land uses in the area.
Nevada has no statewide plastic bag ban or preemption statute, allowing local governments to regulate single-use plastic bags through ordinances.
Nevada lacks statewide restrictions on polystyrene foam food containers, leaving regulation to local jurisdictions concerned with litter and recycling impacts.
Nevada has no statewide plastic straw restriction, leaving regulation of single-use straws to local governments and individual food service operators.
Nevada prohibits the sale of tobacco, vapor, and alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21 years old, aligning with federal Tobacco 21 law.
Nevada has no statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products, leaving flavor regulation primarily to federal FDA authority and limited local action.
Nevada regulates vapor product retailers through state licensing, requiring tobacco retail licenses, age verification, and compliance with otp tax provisions.