Short‑Term Rentals In Centennial Hills: City vs. County

Thinking about listing your Centennial Hills home on a short‑term rental platform? Before you post a single photo, one detail decides everything: are you inside the City of Las Vegas or in unincorporated Clark County. The rules, spacing limits, and licensing steps change based on that answer. In this guide, you’ll learn how to confirm your jurisdiction, what each set of rules requires, what taxes apply, and the simple checklist to get compliant. Let’s dive in.

City or county: start here

Most of Centennial Hills sits inside the City of Las Vegas, but some nearby blocks are unincorporated Clark County. Do not rely on your neighborhood name. Verify your parcel using city boundary maps or the county assessor record. If your address is inside city limits, the city’s rules apply. If you are outside city limits, Clark County’s rules apply. The city and county pages explain this distinction clearly on their short‑term rental resources: City of Las Vegas STR overview and Clark County STR program.

Nevada’s 2021 state law (AB363) required local regulation of any rental of 30 days or less and set a baseline for things like spacing, occupancy, and insurance. Local rules can be stricter. You can read the bill summary here: AB363 (2021).

If your home is inside the City of Las Vegas

The city runs an established licensing program with inspections, spacing limits, and operating rules.

Basic eligibility

• The city commonly limits short‑term rentals to owner‑occupied homes with three bedrooms or fewer, subject to zoning and spacing.
• A minimum 660‑foot separation from other licensed STRs is typical, plus a 2,500‑foot buffer from resort hotels and casinos.
• Check the latest city guidance and FAQs for details: City STR FAQ.

Licensing and operations

• You must obtain a business license, pass an inspection, and follow occupancy, parking, noise, and posting rules. The license number must appear on all advertisements.
• The city uses a complaint hotline at 702‑229‑3500 and enforces violations through code enforcement. See steps and contacts on the City STR overview.

Taxes inside the city

• Stays under 30 nights are subject to transient lodging tax. The city lists room tax rates as 13.38% inside the Primary Gaming Corridor and 13.0% outside it. See the rate and remittance guidance on the city’s business licensing page: room tax details.

If your home is in unincorporated Clark County

Clark County began licensing STRs under Chapter 7.100 with stricter spacing and area caps.

Basic eligibility

• One license per person in residential areas, a 1,000‑foot separation from other licensed STRs, and a 2,500‑foot buffer from resort hotels.
• A 1% cap on STR licenses by area limits how many total licenses the county will issue.
• Properties not connected to municipal wastewater are not eligible. Multifamily buildings face additional limits.
• Learn more on the County STR program page.

As of March 2025, local reporting noted about 175 licenses approved, 141 denied, and 500+ applications pending, reflecting a slow, lottery‑ranked process. Check for current figures here: county licensing backlog coverage.

Licensing and operations

• Expect an application, inspection, fees that scale by bedroom count, proof of insurance, and eligibility checks against assessor records.
• Advertisements must show the business license number. A local contact must be available to respond to complaints.

Rules that apply in both

• A business license and inspection are required before hosting.
• Parties and events are not allowed. You must follow occupancy, noise, and parking rules set by your jurisdiction.
• You must display your business license number on listings and keep a local contact on file.
• Operating without a license can lead to fines and enforcement. Recent reporting shows costly penalties for violations in the area: enforcement coverage.

HOA and community rules

City and county approvals do not override private HOA covenants. If your HOA’s CC&Rs prohibit short‑term rentals, you cannot operate even if the city or county would otherwise allow it. Review your governing documents and request written confirmation if unclear. For context on how HOAs handle transient rentals, see this Nevada HOA guidance.

Taxes and who collects them

• Short stays are taxable. Some platforms collect and remit local lodging taxes in certain jurisdictions, but policies vary by location and can change.
• Always confirm tax collection settings in your platform account and verify with your licensing authority. If the platform does not collect all applicable taxes, you must register and remit. For a practical overview of marketplace collection practices, see this tax collection explainer.

Step‑by‑step checklist for Centennial Hills owners

1. Confirm jurisdiction. Look up your parcel to see if it is inside the City of Las Vegas or in unincorporated Clark County. Start with the City STR overview or the County STR program.
2. Read HOA documents. If CC&Rs prohibit STRs, stop there.
3. Check spacing and caps. City typically requires 660 feet from another licensed STR; the county requires 1,000 feet and applies a 1% area cap, plus 2,500 feet from resort hotels in both jurisdictions.
4. Confirm eligibility. City often requires owner‑occupancy and three bedrooms or fewer. County applies one‑license‑per‑person limits and wastewater connection requirements.
5. Prepare your application. Expect fees, an inspection, proof of insurance, and a local contact.
6. Plan for taxes. Review the city’s room tax rates and remittance steps here: room tax details. Verify whether your platform collects for you.
7. Write compliant listings. Include your business license number and any required on‑site notices.
8. Allow time. County processing has included lotteries and backlogs. Watch for updates in local reporting.

Timing, backlogs, and what to expect

Clark County’s rollout has used pre‑applications and a lottery, with slower processing due to spacing and the 1% cap. Expect possible delays and denials if nearby licenses or caps block your application. The City of Las Vegas runs an established program with owner‑occupancy and spacing limits, plus inspections and a public complaint hotline. Review current steps on the City STR overview and monitor county updates.

Ready to move forward, or want a second opinion on your address, spacing, or taxes? Work with a local, operations‑focused team that handles brokerage, short‑ and long‑term property management, and in‑house repairs under one roof. If you want compliance handled and income stabilized at a transparent flat 8% management fee, connect with VICE Realty.

FAQs

Is Centennial Hills in the city or the county for STR rules?

• Most of Centennial Hills is inside the City of Las Vegas, but verify your parcel; start with the city’s STR page and the county STR page to confirm which rules apply.

Can you rent your whole house on Airbnb in Centennial Hills?

• It depends on jurisdiction and eligibility; the city commonly limits STRs to owner‑occupied homes with three bedrooms or fewer, while the county allows licensing with spacing, caps, and other limits.

What are the spacing rules for short‑term rentals near me?

• The city typically requires 660 feet between licensed STRs, while the county requires 1,000 feet and applies a 2,500‑foot buffer from resort hotels in both jurisdictions.

Who pays the room tax for short stays?

• Either your platform collects and remits on your behalf or you must register and remit directly; confirm on your platform account and with the city or county’s business license office.

How long does it take to get a Clark County STR license?

• Timelines vary; as of March 2025 the county had a significant backlog due to spacing and a 1% area cap, so check the county STR page and recent local reporting for current status.

Do HOA rules override city or county STR approvals?

• Yes; if your HOA’s CC&Rs prohibit short‑term rentals, you cannot operate even if you meet city or county requirements.