Las Vegas City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIV
Treatment Facilities; Halfway Houses; Community Residential Program Facilities
[Added 2-18-2026 by Ord. No. 25-09]
§ 450-157 Definitions.
COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FACILITY
For the purposes of this regulation, "community residential program facility" is defined as a dwelling unit(s) providing to its residents a planned program of care consisting of full-time programmatic supervision, counseling and/or therapy, and assistance in the development of daily living skills; such residence and program is provided to persons who are physically disabled, developmentally disabled, psychiatrically disabled, have drug or alcohol problems, are under the legal custody of the state, are minors with social and/or behavioral problems, or persons who have disabilities associated with aging. A community residential program does not include skilled nursing care, or persons currently in custody of, or recently released by, correctional authorities that are designed to offer an alternative to imprisonment and/or to facilitate ex-offender reintegration into community life, nor does it include facilities for persons who require such services by reason of the effects of alcohol or drug abuse.
HALFWAY HOUSE
For the purpose of this regulation, "halfway house" is defined as a facility providing structured living arrangements, counseling, or rehabilitation services for individuals reentering society from correctional, institutional, or treatment settings.
TREATMENT FACILITY
A.
For the purpose of this regulation, a "treatment facility" is defined as any establishment, whether publicly or privately operated, that provides medical, psychological, or rehabilitative care, including but not limited to:
(1)
Substance abuse treatment centers.
(2)
Mental health counseling centers.
(3)
Outpatient clinics (excluding standard medical or dental offices typically found in commercial zones).
(4)
Rehabilitation centers (physical or occupational therapy facilities may be considered separate if explicitly defined elsewhere).
(5)
Community residential program facilities providing structured care for individuals requiring ongoing support and supervision related to a medical or behavioral condition.
B.
This definition excludes facilities such as hospitals, emergency care centers, and general practitioners' offices, which are typically addressed under separate zoning classifications.
§ 450-158 Residential Zoning Districts (RA, RR, R-1, R-2, R-3).
A.
The establishment of treatment facilities, halfway houses and community residential program facility in any residential zoning district is generally prohibited due to the potential for incompatibility with the primary residential character and density, and to preserve the peace and quiet of residential neighborhoods.
B.
Conditional use permit.
(1)
Notwithstanding the general prohibition, a conditional use permit (CUP) may be considered for certain types of small-scale, non-intensive treatment facilities, specifically community residential program facility for no more than 10 residents and staff, subject to the following stringent conditions:
(a)
Purpose: The community residential program facility must primarily serve as a residence with supportive services, not as an institutional or clinical facility.
(b)
Location: The facility must be located at least 1,000 feet from any other existing treatment facility, halfway house and residential community program facility, liquor store, liquor establishment licensed to sell alcohol for on-site consumption (e.g., bars, nightclubs), preschool, daycare, college campus, high school, middle school, or elementary school. Measurements shall be from the nearest property line of the facility to the nearest property line of the restricted use.
(c)
Appearance: The exterior appearance of the facility must be maintained to be compatible with the residential character of the neighborhood, and no external signage beyond what is typical for a residence shall be permitted.
(d)
Operational plan: A detailed operational plan must be submitted prior to approval, outlining:
[1]
The maximum number of residents and staff.
[2]
Hours of operation for any on-site services.
[3]
Transportation and parking provisions.
[4]
Security protocols and measures.
[5]
A plan for neighborhood communication and complaint resolution.
(e)
Operational standards:
[1]
Facilities shall maintain 24-hour on-site management.
[2]
Maximum occupancy shall be set at one resident per 200 square feet of habitable space not to exceed 10 residents and staff per facility.
[3]
Adequate off-street parking shall be provided at a minimum of one space per employee plus one space per four residents.
[4]
Facilities shall comply with all applicable building, fire, and health codes.
[5]
Facilities shall discourage and prohibit loitering on surrounding street.
(f)
Staffing: Adequate staffing levels must be maintained to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and minimize impacts on the neighborhood.
(g)
Parking: Adequate off-street parking must be provided to accommodate staff, visitors, and any on-site vehicles, as determined by the Planning Department.
(h)
Licensure: The facility must demonstrate compliance with all applicable federal, state and City licensing and certification requirements.
(i)
Public hearing: A public hearing shall be required for all conditional use permit applications for treatment facilities in residential zones.
(2)
A CUP may be revoked if the facility fails to comply with performance standards or creates a documented nuisance.
§ 450-159 Commercial Zoning Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3).
Treatment facilities, halfway houses and community residential program facilities are permitted in commercial zoning districts, as a conditional use regardless of the intensity and specific type of facility, subject to the following conditions:
A.
Conditional use (C-1 Neighborhood Commercial, C-2 General Commercial, C-3 Heavy Commercial).
(1)
Certain low-impact outpatient counseling or therapy centers that operate during normal business hours and do not involve overnight stays or extensive client turnover may be permitted by conditional use in designated commercial zones, provided they meet the following:
(a)
Overnight stays: The treatment facilities shall not provide overnight accommodations for clients. Halfway houses and community residential program facilities are allowed overnight stays provided all City and state regulations and conditions are met.
(b)
Parking: Adequate off-street parking must be provided in accordance with the district's parking requirements.
(c)
Signage: All signage must comply with the commercial district's signage regulations.
(d)
Hours of operation: Treatment facilities are primarily limited to typical business hours, generally between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
(2)
Other treatment facilities, including but not limited to substance abuse treatment centers, mental health clinics with extended hours, and rehabilitation centers, shall require a conditional use permit (CUP), subject to the following conditions:
(a)
Compatibility: The facility must demonstrate compatibility with surrounding commercial and any adjacent residential uses. Considerations include noise, traffic, and visual impact.
(b)
Traffic impact analysis: For facilities anticipating high client volume, a traffic impact analysis may be required to assess potential impacts on local roads and intersections.
(c)
Parking: Comprehensive off-street parking must be provided to accommodate staff, clients, and visitors, including any specialized transportation needs.
(d)
Security plan: A security plan outlining measures to ensure the safety of clients, staff, and the public, including lighting, surveillance, and personnel, must be submitted.
(e)
Waste management: A detailed plan for waste disposal, especially for medical waste, must be provided, adhering to all environmental regulations.
(f)
Outdoor areas: Any outdoor waiting or recreational areas must be appropriately screened and located to minimize disturbance to adjacent properties.
(g)
Hours of operation: If operations extend beyond typical business hours, a justification and impact mitigation plan must be included in the conditional use permit application.
(h)
Licensure: The facility must demonstrate compliance with all applicable state and federal and City licensing and certification requirements.
(i)
Public hearing: A public hearing shall be required for all conditional use permit applications for treatment facilities in commercial zones.
§ 450-160 General provisions for all permitted treatment facilities.
A.
Compliance: All treatment facilities, halfway house or community residential program facilities, regardless of zoning district, must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local City laws, regulations, and licensing requirements.
B.
Nuisance: No treatment facility, halfway house or community residential program facilities shall create a public nuisance through excessive noise, traffic, light, or other impacts detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare. A CUP may be revoked if the facility creates a documented nuisance.
C.
Inspections: The City reserves the right to conduct inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with these regulations and any conditions imposed by a conditional use permit.
D.
Amendments: This regulation may be amended from time to time by the City Council.
§ 450-161 Enforcement; inspections.
A.
Violation of any provision of this regulation or any condition of an approved conditional use permit shall be subject to the enforcement procedures and penalties as outlined in this chapter.
B.
This section will not apply to businesses that have a properly issued business license before the effective date. This includes any business whose license is properly issued and up for renewal, as long as the renewal is completed on time. Any business applying for a new business license or existing businesses that need to reapply for a business license after the effective date will be governed by this article.
C.
All businesses, new, existing or renewing, grant the City the right to enter the premises and inspect the facility unannounced, within reason, and no less frequently than once a year. Failure to allow access to the facility to an authorized representative of the City may result in revocation or suspension of a license or denial of an initial or renewal application and revocation of any conditional use permit.
D.
Nonconforming residential care facilities operating prior to the adoption of this article shall have six months within the adoption date of this article to register with the City and to comply with the requirements herein. After the six-month grace period, all un-registered and/or non-state-licensed/registered treatment facilities, halfway houses and/or community residential program facilities operating within the City shall be in violation of this article and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions contained in this article.
§ 450-162 Penalty.
A.
Complaint. Any person aggrieved by a violation or apparent violation of this article may file a written complaint with the City Community Development Department, who shall immediately investigate such complaint and take legal action, if such action is necessary and warranted, to have the violation penalized and removed, if such violation is found to exist.
B.
Notification. Whenever the City Community Development Department shall find probable cause to believe violation of any of the provisions of this article exists it shall notify the person responsible for the alleged violation in writing and shall order, where feasible and practical, the necessary correction to be made within a period of 30 days. Violations of this article may subject the permit holder to an immediate suspension pending any hearing on the revocation of the permit.
C.
Penalty. Failure to comply with all the provisions of this article, upon conviction, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500, or imprisonment in jail for a period of not more than 30 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that such a violation continues to exist after conviction shall be considered as a separate offense.
D.
Grounds for suspension or revocation of permit. A permit may be suspended or revoked, or an initial denied, after notification and/or hearing for any one of the following reasons:
(1)
Violation of any provision of this article, or state statute or regulation;
(2)
Failure to allow City representatives to inspect premises;
(3)
Misrepresentation or falsification of any information on application forms or other required documents.
