Clark County, NV Special Events & Permits: Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way (2026)
Key Facts
- Triggering rule
- Film permit required = special event status
- Film permit section
- Clark County Code § 6.20.030
- Additional permits required
- Titles 6, 7, 8 and 30 apply
- Large productions
- 5,000+ attendees need 10-day notice
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
Summary
In unincorporated Clark County, any activity requiring a film permit under Section 6.20.030 legally qualifies as a 'special event,' pulling filming into the county's special-events licensing and safety-approval scheme under Chapter 6.145.
"Special event" as used in this chapter shall mean any event in unincorporated Clark County that requires any of the following permits or licenses for the activity, whether the activity is an incidental, ancillary, or primary portion of the event: 1.Rodeo permit as required by Section 6.12.876 of the code;2.Film permit as required by Section 6.20.030 of the code;...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147).
Full Breakdown
Clark County Code § 6.145.010.010 defines a 'special event' to include any activity that requires a film permit under Section 6.20.030, meaning a movie, TV, video or photo shoot on public property, or one using drones, pyrotechnics or lasers, is legally a special event even if filming is only an ancillary part of it. Section 6.145.020 then requires the production to obtain every license and permit, public safety, land use and business, applicable under Titles 6, 7, 8 and 30 before filming, not just the film permit itself. Productions expecting over 5,000 daily attendees must also notify the department at least ten days ahead.
Violations & Fines
Filming without the required special-event licenses is a misdemeanor under Clark County Code § 6.04.140: up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, or a civil penalty starting at $250 and rising to $1,000 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a film permit make my shoot a 'special event' under Clark County law?
What extra rules apply once filming counts as a special event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
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