Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Pahrump, NV?

Explicit answer: Yes. Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in the Town of Pahrump, Nevada, as of August 4, 2025. Previously unregulated, short-term “Airbnb-style” operations are now subject to comprehensive licensing, registration, inspection, and operational requirements under Pahrump Town Ordinance No. 74 and related fee schedules. Existing STR owners were given a 90-day grace period from August 4, 2025 to complete licensing, ending November 2, 2025. After that date, all owners (including new listings or ownership changes) must be licensed before operating.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Pahrump

Pahrump operates a structured, multi-step licensing workflow that integrates state, county, and town processes. Each listing requires a separate license. The steps below align with the official Town process:

1. Obtain a State of Nevada Business License

   • Apply through the Nevada Secretary of State portal and maintain an active status.

2. Obtain the Town of Pahrump STR Business License Packet

   • Contact Town Administration to receive the packet with forms, instructions, and fee information.

3. Complete the Nye County Planning Department Business License Review Application

   • This review includes septic/well considerations and will determine whether the listing is allowable under ordinance parameters (e.g., property type, separation distances).

4. Initiate STR License Registration and Pay Fees

   • Contact the Town to begin STR registration, pay registration/license/inspection fees, and submit a completed regular Town of Pahrump Business License Application.
   • After payment processing, complete the STR license application in the OpenGov portal.
   • Multiple listings require separate applications and payments.

5. License Issuance and Business License

   • Upon issuance of the STR license, the Town of Pahrump Business License will be issued.

6. Register for Room Tax with the Nye County Treasurer’s Office

   • After licensing, register to report and pay transient lodging (room) tax per Nye County Code and Town Ordinance. Forms and information are available via the County Treasurer’s office.

Deadlines and Grace Period

• Existing operators had 90 days from August 4, 2025 (ending November 2, 2025) to obtain licenses.
• After November 2, 2025, any new listing, ownership transfer, or addition must be licensed before operation.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Core licenses and registrations:

• State of Nevada Business License (required; maintained continuously).
• Town of Pahrump Business License and STR Registration (each listing separately licensed).
• Registration fee, license fee, and inspection fee (per Resolution No. 2025-01 fee schedule; payable upon application).
• Nye County Planning Department Business License Review (for zoning compliance and septic/well status).
• Nye County Treasurer Room Tax Registration (after STR licensing).

Supporting documentation typically includes:

• Completed Town of Pahrump Business License application.
• STR license application via the Town portal.
• Proof of current Nevada business license.
• Evidence of property ownership (owner of record per Nye County Assessor).
• Registered local contact information (must reside in Nye County and be available 24/7).
• Self-inspection checklist completion.
• Engineer’s certification letter for septic capacity (if applicable).
• HOA authorization (if within a common-interest community).
• General liability insurance certificate (often required by lenders/hosts; confirm current Town requirement directly).

Guidelines and operational standards (see Specific Regulations section) govern occupancy limits, quiet hours, event restrictions, posting requirements, safety equipment, and registration caps. Owners should maintain an organized compliance binder with all license numbers, inspection reports, tax records, and proof of postings.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (Town/County/State)

Definitions and scope:

• Short-term vacation rental is defined as a permanent residential dwelling unit, or any portion of such dwelling unit, rented for occupancy for fewer than 30 consecutive days, or (in February) fewer than 28 consecutive calendar days. Counting portions of a day as full days, regardless of whether a permanent resident is present.

Registration limits:

• Owners are limited to five separate STR registrations per Nevada business license.

Permitted use and event restrictions:

• STRs may be used only for overnight accommodation.
• Weddings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and any gathering exceeding occupancy capacity are prohibited.

Occupancy limits:

• Maximum of four occupants in the first bedroom plus two per each additional bedroom.
• Maximum of 16 total persons per listing.

Quiet hours:

• Weekends: 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Weekdays: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Structure and location rules:

• Recreational vehicles (RVs), travel trailers, tents, vehicles, and similar non-permanent structures are prohibited as STRs.
• STRs must comply with distance restrictions from other STRs and from hotels (per the ordinance’s separation standards).
• Multi-dwelling structures are subject to limitations (the ordinance caps the percentage of units permitted as STRs; consult the full ordinance text for the current percentage).

Advertising and posting:

• Town license number and State license number must appear in all advertisements.
• Licenses, occupancy limits, local contact information, and quiet hours must be posted on premises in a conspicuous location.

Neighbor notification:

• Owners must mail the registered local contact information to all properties within 200 feet of the STR (within 10 days of registration approval, and within five days of any contact changes).

Local contact requirements:

• Provide a registered local contact who resides in Nye County and is available 24/7.
• Contact must respond to complaints within 30 minutes.

Tax obligations:

• Register, collect, and remit transient lodging (room) tax to the Nye County Treasurer’s office monthly, regardless of revenue level.
• Maintain rental records in accordance with the Town’s recordkeeping requirements.

Compliance and enforcement:

• Nye County Code Compliance handles enforcement. Situations may escalate to the Nye County Sheriff’s Office.
• Operating without registration: $500 per day for each day of violation.
• Repeat violations within 12 months: up to $1,000 per day.
• Criminal penalty: misdemeanor; up to six months in county jail and/or up to $1,000 fine per violation.
• Violations may result in registration termination.

Separation and hotel proximity:

• STRs must maintain required separation distances from other STRs and from hotels (consult the ordinance for precise measurements).

Multi-unit caps and signage:

• STRs in multi-unit structures are limited by an ordinance cap (see the full text of Ordinance No. 74).
• Exterior signage identifying a property as an STR is prohibited.

Note: The Town’s primary authority is set by Pahrump Town Ordinance No. 74 and Resolution No. 2025-01; enforcement and tax administration are carried out through Nye County departments. No separate Nevada statewide STR statute is cited in the provided materials; state-level obligations relevant to STRs in Pahrump currently center on obtaining a Nevada business license.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website)

Primary Town licensing and registration:

• Town of Pahrump Business License Department
  • Phone: 775-727-2815
  • Email: townoffice@pahrumpnv.gov
  • Mailing Address: 2100 E Walt Williams Drive Suite 100, Pahrump, NV 89048

Nye County Planning and Building (Business License Review):

• Phone: 775-482-8191
• Email: nyeadmin@nyecountynv.gov
• Address: 101 Radar Road, P.O. Box 153, Tonopah, NV 89049

Code Compliance and Enforcement (complaints and violations):

• Phone: 775-751-4249
• Online complaint form: NyeCountyNV.gov/317/Code-Compliance

Nye County Treasurer (Room Tax Registration and Remittance):

• Room Tax Ordinances and Forms: nyecountynv.gov/1117/Room-Tax-Ordinances-and-Forms
• General contact via Treasurer’s Department (see Nye County Directory)

Links to Source Pages

• Town of Pahrump Official STR Licensing Announcement: www.pahrumpnv.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=355
• Pahrump Town Ordinance No. 74 (STR Provisions, Chapter 8): www.pahrumpnv.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2804/PTO-74---Adding-Article-V-to-Chapter-8-Business-License-Regulations-Short-Term-Vacation-Rental-Provisions-PDF
• Town of Pahrump STR Business License Packet (PDF): www.pahrumpnv.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2812/SHORT-TERM-RENTAL-Business-License-and-Registration-Packet-PDF
• Nye County Business License Review Application (OpenGov): nyecountynv.portal.opengov.com/categories/1076/record-types/6549
• Pahrump Valley Times Coverage of New STR Regulations: pvtimes.com/news/pahrumps-new-air-bnb-regulations-effective-next-month-145847/
• SFGATE Story (contextual report on Pahrump STR ordinance impacts): www.sfgate.com/california-parks/article/regulations-shutter-national-park-gateway-airbnbs-21106415.php
• Nye County Newsflash: STR Registration Now Live: www.nyecountynv.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1449
• Nevada Secretary of State Business Licensing Portal: www.nvsos.gov/sos/businesses
• Nye County Code Compliance (complaint reporting): www.nyecountynv.gov/317/Code-Compliance
• Nye County Treasurer Room Tax Ordinances and Forms: www.nyecountynv.gov/1117/Room-Tax-Ordinances-and-Forms

Compliance reminders and investor considerations

• Build compliance into your operating model: posting licenses, quiet hours, and local contact; monitoring noise; and maintaining precise occupancy limits.
• Budget for registration, inspection, and room tax obligations. Keep meticulous records to demonstrate compliance and avoid daily fines that can escalate quickly.
• Pre-screen properties for ordinance eligibility (permanent residential structures only; no RVs/trailers/tents/vehicles; verify separation distances from other STRs and hotels; septic capacity and well considerations).
• Assign and train a local contact who can respond within 30 minutes and manage neighbor notifications and complaint resolution.
• Review the full text of Ordinance No. 74 before investment to confirm the current multi-unit cap percentage and any recent amendments; the Town’s CivicAlerts and OpenGov portal provide the most current guidance and application pathways.

Disclaimer: Regulations evolve. Always verify requirements directly with the Town of Pahrump Business License Department and Nye County Planning and Code Compliance before purchasing, listing, or operating an STR.