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Clark, CO

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Local STR Agent

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STR Regulations for Clark, Colorado

Overview and explicit status

  • Are STRs allowed? Yes, but only with a county-issued business license under Clark County Code Chapter 7.100 and in compliance with the Nevada state framework (AB363).
  • Legal foundation: Assembly Bill 363 (AB363, 2021) required counties to authorize and regulate short-term rentals; Clark County’s licensing ordinance was adopted on June 21, 2022 and codified in Chapter 7.100. Accommodation facilitators (Airbnb/Vrbo) are separately regulated in Chapter 7.110.
  • Current availability: The application period for new short-term rental unit licenses is closed. A complete application had to be submitted by Aug. 21, 2023. The county is processing a backlog; issuance and enforcement continue.
  • Functional reality: Critics argue the process functions like a ban due to restrictive buffers, limited openings, and slow processing (e.g., 208 licensed STRs vs. an estimated 14,000 illegal listings reported by Inside Airbnb). A federal court in 2025 enjoined key “platform verification” provisions in Chapter 7.110, but most property-level licensing rules remain in effect.
  • Bottom line for investors: New entrants must wait for the county to reopen applications or move down a long backlog. Existing rule compliance (separation distances, cap, inspection readiness, insurance, wastewater, and responsible-operator protocols) will determine eligibility once new windows open.

Source pages:

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Clark?

Clark hosts earn a median $28,268/year with $319 ADR and 40% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,291+ per year.

See the full Clark market breakdown

How to start (practical steps given the closed application window)

Because the application intake is closed, most “how to start” actions are preparatory and compliance-readiness focused. Do the following before the next window opens:

  1. Confirm jurisdiction and eligibility
  • Use the county’s interactive map to determine if your property is in unincorporated Clark County (and not inside city limits, which have their own rules).
  • Verify the property is outside all resort hotel and major resort-area buffers and can clear the separation distances from existing or future licensed STRs.
  • Eligibility notes: Only one STR license per natural person; housing cooperatives, timeshares, and most non-traditional ownership structures are restricted under the code.

Source: ccgismo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8aef3548c506431d8ad2820c99b5c0f5

  1. Assemble your compliance package now
  • Wastewater connection: Prepare proof that the unit is connected to municipal wastewater (required at approval stage in current proposals).
  • Insurance: Secure $500,000 in liability insurance (required at approval stage in current proposals).
  • Responsible local contact: Identify a person within 30 minutes of the property, available 24/7, authorized to respond to complaints.
  • Safety and inspection readiness: Ensure working smoke/CO alarms, address egress and safety hazards, and be prepared for random inspections (including interior).
  • Documentation: Proof of ownership or lease authorization; parcel identification; contact details; property photos; zoning/occupancy details as requested.

Source: www.ktnv.com/news/clark-county-looking-at-ways-to-speed-up-short-term-rental-licensing-process

  1. Monitor for reopening and processing changes
  • Subscribe to county STR updates and newsletters.
  • Track whether the county shifts from randomized selection to first-come, first-served and whether the wastewater/insurance requirements are codified as “at approval” vs. “at application.”
  • Expect slow processing speeds (historical average ≈ six units per week in 2025) and plan cash flow accordingly.

Source: www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/intergovernmental_relations/short-term-rentals

  1. Understand current enforcement posture if operating without a license
  • Operating without a license is unlawful and may trigger fines and liens; large-scale deplatforming is constrained by the 2025 injunction on platform verification provisions, but property-level enforcement proceeds.

Source: www.rentresponsibly.org/judge-blocks-clark-county-nevada-short-term-rental-rules/

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

  • County STR Business License (Chapter 7.100): Required to operate an STR in unincorporated Clark County. Annual renewal. Only one STR license per natural person; certain property types are ineligible (e.g., many HOAs/condos, timeshares).
  • Application window: Closed. The next opening, if any, will be announced by the county.
  • Baseline documentation commonly required in similar jurisdictions (and required at approval under current proposals):
    • Property proof of ownership/authorization and parcel ID.
    • Evidence of municipal wastewater connection.
    • Liability insurance ($500,000 at approval).
    • Identification of a local responsible party who can respond within 30 minutes.
    • Safety compliance and readiness for random inspections.
  • Accommodation Facilitator Registration (Chapter 7.110): Booking platforms that facilitate bookings in the county are separately regulated. A federal court enjoined key verification requirements in 2025; the practical effect is to block forced pre-listing verification by platforms while other code provisions remain in dispute.
  • Local contact and 24/7 responsiveness: Licensed STRs must designate a local representative who can respond to complaints within 30 minutes and address violations.
  • Good Neighbor Brochure and periodic updates: The county provides a “Good Neighbor” brochure and FAQs to educate guests and hosts.

Source pages:

Specific regulations (city, county, and state)

State (Nevada)

  • AB363 (2021): Authorizes counties to adopt licensing programs for STRs; sets baseline requirements and prohibits outright bans. The statute guided Clark County to adopt Chapter 7.100.

County (Unincorporated Clark County)

  • Chapter 7.100 (Short-Term Rental Units): Establishes the licensing scheme, eligibility, and operational requirements. Highlights include:
    • License cap: 1% of the county’s housing stock, rounded down. In 2024 this equated to roughly 2,940 units; in 2021 it was ≈2,826 units.
    • Separation distances: STRs must be at least 1,000 feet from other licensed STRs and outside resort hotel buffers (commonly discussed as 2,500 feet from resort hotels). Buffers and resort designations are mapped and strictly enforced.
    • One STR per natural person; non-traditional ownership (e.g., many timeshares) is restricted.
    • Inspections: Random inspections are permitted; failure to allow inspection can lead to denial, suspension, or revocation.
    • Enforcement: Operating without a license is unlawful and subject to enforcement, with fines and liens possible for repeat violators.
  • Chapter 7.110 (Accommodation Facilitators): Applies to platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.). A federal court enjoined the county’s platform verification provisions in 2025, limiting enforcement that would compel platforms to pre-verify licenses. Other platform obligations may remain, but their enforceability is in flux.
  • Process and capacity:
    • Current pace: Approximately six units per week processed (2025 reporting); over 500 applications remained pending in early 2025.
    • Proposed procedural reforms (not all codified): Switch from randomized selection to first-come, first-served; require municipal wastewater connection and $500,000 liability insurance at approval rather than at application.
  • Enforcement tools:
    • STREET Team (code enforcement): Primarily complaint-driven; licensed STRs must have a local representative able to respond within 30 minutes.
    • Fines: $1,000–$10,000 per day for violations; repeat violators face escalating penalties and potential property liens placed on the tax roll for larger unpaid balances (per county briefings in 2025).
  • Good Neighbor and education: The county provides a Good Neighbor brochure and FAQs to reduce neighborhood impacts.

City-specific note

  • This guide covers unincorporated Clark County only. Cities like Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas have adopted their own STR ordinances and licensing systems. Consult each city directly for city-specific rules. The provided sources focus on unincorporated Clark County.

Source pages:

Contact information (local authority)

Clark County Department of Business License – Short-Term Rentals

  • Phone: 702-455-4252
  • Fax: 702-386-2168
  • Email: STR@ClarkCountyNV.gov
  • Physical address: 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy, 3rd Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89155
  • Hours: Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Fri–Sun closed

Additional county STR communications

Source: www.clarkcountynv.gov/business/doing_business_with_clark_county/divisions/regulated_business/short_term_rentals/ and www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/intergovernmental_relations/short-term-rentals

Links to source pages (important)

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Clark

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Clark Market Analysis

Photos of Clark

Overview of Clark

Clark is a small unincorporated community nestled in Routt County in the northwestern corner of Colorado, set within the rolling ranchlands and pine-clad hills of the Yampa Valley. With only a few hundred year-round residents, it has the unhurried, outdoorsy character typical of the remote Colorado mountain communities, serving as a quiet base for visitors drawn to the surrounding forests, rivers, and high-country recreation. It is best known as a gateway to the Elk River corridor and the network of state parks and national forest lands that radiate outward from the valley. The nearest sizable town is Steamboat Springs, a well-known resort destination approximately 25 miles to the south, with Denver situated roughly 160 miles southeast across the mountains.

Just north of town, Steamboat Lake State Park offers a roughly 1,000-acre reservoir ringed by aspen groves and campgrounds, with a marina, swimming beach, and trail system that draws hikers, kayakers, and anglers throughout the warmer months. From Clark, the park is only a short drive of around 10 to 15 minutes up County Road 129, making it an easy day trip for vacationers who want a combination of mountain scenery and water-based activities.

The Elk River itself runs right through Clark and is one of the area's signature draws, celebrated for its blue-ribbon trout fishery. Anglers come for rainbow and brown trout, and the river's gentle stretches near town make it accessible for both seasoned fly fishers and casual visitors wanting to wade in during summer months. The surrounding landscape is part of the Routt National Forest, where guests can find trailheads for hiking, horseback riding, and winter snowmobiling, as well as access to the larger backcountry of the Park Range.

To the south, Steamboat Springs anchors the region with its famed ski resort, natural hot springs, and a walkable downtown of restaurants and galleries. In winter, skiers and snowboarders head to the slopes of Steamboat, while summer brings mountain biking, rafting on the Yampa River, and a steady calendar of rodeos and community events. The roughly 30-minute drive from Clark to Steamboat makes it close enough to enjoy an evening out while still returning to a quieter, more rural setting.

For short-term rental owners, Clark offers a compelling blend of seclusion and accessibility. Its position between Steamboat Lake State Park, the Elk River, and the Routt National Forest appeals to outdoor-focused travelers, while its proximity to Steamboat Springs gives guests a nearby resort town to visit without the higher nightly rates of staying in town. The combination of year-round recreation, scenic surroundings, and small-community atmosphere makes it a natural fit for cabins and lodges catering to families, anglers, hunters, and skiers exploring northwestern Colorado.

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