Nevada Special Event License: Forms, Deadlines & Checklist (2025)

Planning a festival, pop-up market, tasting event, charity run, or street activation in Nevada? Success starts with permits—filed correctly and on time. This guide breaks down who needs a special event license, exactly which forms to file (and where), key deadlines for Las Vegas, Clark County, and Reno/Washoe, and the easy path to staying compliant on food, sales tax, traffic control, and entertainment taxes.

Do You Need a Special Event License?

You likely do if your gathering is open to the public, uses public space (streets, sidewalks, parks), impacts traffic, or includes food vendors, alcohol, temporary structures (tents/stages), amplified sound, or admission. Las Vegas runs a one-stop special event permitting program for events inside city limits; start there if your venue is in the City of Las Vegas. Las Vegas Nevada

Jurisdiction check (quick map):

• Inside City of Las Vegas → City special event permit + add-on permits as needed. Las Vegas Nevada

• Unincorporated Clark County (The Strip/Paradise/Spring Valley, etc.) → County requirements; traffic/ROW impacts trigger a Clark County Public Works Special Event Permit. Clark County, NV

• City of Reno / Washoe County → City of Reno “Special Events/Special Activities” + Washoe County business licensing (for some event types) and NNPH for food. reno.govWashoe County

Deadlines at a Glance (Don’t Miss These)

City of Las Vegas (special event tiers)

• Tier 1 (<300 attendees): Apply ≥15 days before event

• Tier 2 (<10,000 attendees or with ROW/structures/vendors/alcohol/power): Apply ≥45 days

• Tier 3 (10,000+ attendees): Apply ≥90 days
  (Residential block parties: 5 days) Las Vegas Nevada Files

Southern Nevada Health District (food at events in Clark County area)

• Temporary food permits: Apply no later than 7 calendar days before the event start or late fees apply; incomplete submissions may be denied. Southern Nevada Health District

Nevada Department of Taxation (one-time event sales tax packet)

• Promoters: Submit One-Time Event application and vendor list ~2 weeks before the event; the Department issues a permit and provides submission emails (LV/CC/Reno). State of Nevada

City of Reno / Washoe County

• Reno special activity permits (private property): Due ≥15 days before the event. reno.gov

• Washoe County special event/outdoor event licenses: Many categories require filing ≥30 to 90 days ahead depending on size (e.g., outdoor community/outdoor festival). Washoe County

Tip: If your event affects state highways or NDOT right-of-way, submit a Temporary Occupancy/Special Events application about 2 months in advance (more for large events). dot.nv.gov

Required Forms & Where to File

1) City/County Special Event Permit

• City of Las Vegas: Apply via the city’s event portal; the city coordinates add-on reviews (traffic control, signage, vendors, alcohol, etc.). Las Vegas NevadaLas Vegas Nevada Files

• Clark County (Public Works): If you’ll close lanes/sidewalks or impact traffic, you’ll need a Special Event Permit plus a Traffic Control Plan (TCP) reviewed by Public Works. Clark County, NV

• City of Reno: Use the city’s special event/special activity processes; expect insurance and city service planning. reno.gov
  
  

2) Health Department (Food & Tastings)

• SNHD (Clark County region): Temporary Food Establishment permits for each vendor; event coordinators are required for events with multiple food booths or tastings. Deadline 7 days before the event. Southern Nevada Health District

• NNPH (Washoe County/Northern NV): Temporary Food Establishment permits; late fees apply inside 7 business days; an annual itinerant option exists for frequent vendors. NNPH+1washoelife.washoecounty.gov
  
  

3) Sales Tax (Promoters & Vendors)

• Nevada Dept. of Taxation One-Time Event Packet: Promoters submit the application and vendor list (≈ 2 weeks before event) so vendors can collect/remit the correct sales tax. The State provides dedicated event emails by region. State of Nevada
  
  

4) Traffic/Right-of-Way & State Routes

• Clark County Public Works (county ROW) and NDOT (state highways) may require traffic control plans, detours, barricade specs, and insurance endorsements. Plan early (NDOT suggests ~2 months). Clark County, NVdot.nv.gov
  
  

5) Alcohol Service

• If serving alcohol at a Las Vegas event, you’ll need a city-approved approach (e.g., licensed beverage caterer or special event alcohol permit). Deadlines and fees vary by jurisdiction; Las Vegas lists per-bar daily fees and an alcohol permit timing note. Las Vegas Nevada Files
  
  

6) Live Entertainment Tax (If You Charge Admission)

• Some admissions are subject to Nevada’s Live Entertainment Tax (LET). Gaming venues fall under the Gaming Control Board; non-gaming under the Department of Taxation. Check applicability (e.g., admission to a facility where taxable live entertainment is provided). gaming.nv.govLegal Information Institute

What Your Application Must Include (Typical)

• Event overview (date/time, location/site map, attendance, ingress/egress)

• Detailed site plan showing stages/bleachers, tents, cooking areas, vendor booths, fencing/barricades, toilets, generators/power distro, first aid, security posts, entry/exit widths, and emergency access lanes

• Insurance certificates and additional insured endorsements (public property usually required)

• Traffic Control Plan (if any lane/sidewalk closures)

• Vendor list (names, sales types, food handling status), plus sales-tax packet coordination

• For food: hot/cold holding, handwash stations, commissary or servicing kitchen, disposal plans

• For alcohol: server licenses, ID check plan, containment, security staffing
  (For Las Vegas, the city’s one-sheet lists the minimum plan elements and additional permit fees.) Las Vegas Nevada Files

Common Mistakes That Delay Approvals (and How to Avoid Them)

• Missing the city deadline tier (15/45/90 days): Put your event in the correct tier early and submit on time. Las Vegas Nevada Files

• Forgetting the health permit for food sampling/tastings: File SNHD/NNPH on time and complete all documentation. Southern Nevada Health DistrictNNPH

• No Traffic Control Plan despite minor ROW impacts: Even small lane or sidewalk encroachments can trigger a county or NDOT permit. Clark County, NVdot.nv.gov

• Sales tax confusion for pop-ups and markets: Promoters must submit the One-Time Event application and vendor list in advance. State of Nevada

• Assuming LET doesn’t apply: If you charge admission and offer taxable live entertainment, verify whether LET is triggered. Legal Information Institute