The Nye County Commission voted 5-0 Aug. 5 to amend county code so people on unimproved private land without permission must vacate immediately, eliminating the previous 5‑day grace period. The change aligns the private‑land rule with a public‑land standard the commission adopted earlier.
Supporters said the amendment gives landowners quicker relief from unauthorized occupants and removes a loophole used by people who take up residence without consent. Commissioner Jared Bain, one of the item sponsors, summarized the change: “All this does is it changes the number of days to require a squatter to leave from 5 to 0 to immediate.”
Commissioners said the amendment moves enforcement from a slower criminal process to civil remedies the county can deploy more quickly. District Attorney representatives told the board the revised language has no hidden legal effect on admonishments used in other parts of the code; when asked whether a specific wording change would change legal consequences the DA replied, “No, there’s not.”
The ordinance drew limited public comment in support. Advocates said rapid removal helps property owners and reduces public‑safety and sanitation problems associated with long‑term unauthorized occupation. Commissioners discussed a friendly edit suggested by a member of the public (changing the term “admonishment” to “violation”) but the DA advised that the wording does not affect legal effect.
The commission approved the ordinance as presented and directed staff to publish the amended language and implement procedures to notify property owners about the new immediate‑vacate requirement.
The action is effective immediately for the county code section addressed in the motion; the commission left enforcement discretion with sheriff’s and code‑enforcement staff.
Ending: The commission characterized the vote as a step to harmonize rules on public and private land; staff said they will update enforcement notices and the web site to reflect the immediate vacate requirement.