Clark County moves to tighten pedicab rules, directs staff to draft updated ordinance

Clark County commissioners on Sept. 2 directed staff to draft updates to the county’s pedicab ordinance to tighten regulation of pedicabs operating on the resort corridor and around major event venues. Commissioner Rebecca Becker led the discussion, saying the changes aim to protect tourists and reduce roadway congestion. "Protection of our tourists and the people that are on our strip is very important," Becker said.

The commission’s direction follows public comments from hotel and tourism industry groups and multiple pedicab operators asking for clearer rules. Virginia Valentine of the Nevada Resort Association asked the board to "consider expanding the areas where pedicabs are prohibited within the resort corridor," citing safety and disruptions to resort operations. Dan Kerrigan, who operates Las Vegas Rickshaw, told the commission licensed local operators want consistent rules and stronger enforcement to stop unlicensed, out‑of‑state operators from undercutting them.

Why it matters: Pedicabs operate on high‑traffic corridors during major events such as Formula 1 and other downtown gatherings. Commissioners said gaps in enforcement and unclear ordinance language have allowed unlicensed operators to scale up during events, creating safety and congestion concerns for resort properties and first responders.

Key points discussed included: the county’s Title 14 map of prohibited areas, enforcement limitations, and penalties. Director of Business License Vince Keanu said the current code includes prohibited areas but that a proposed update would display them in map form and consider expanding those areas from St. Rose Parkway to Sahara Boulevard on Las Vegas Boulevard. Keanu told the board one operator currently runs roughly 65 pedicabs while another operates fewer than 10.

Enforcement and penalties were central to the debate. Keanu said civil penalties can reach $1,000 per day per violation and misdemeanor citations remain an option. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Capt. Josh Martinez said Metro’s enforcement has been minimal during high‑volume events because many pedicabs currently operate legally; Metro wants clearer regulations and tools to take immediate action when operators violate county rules.

Commissioners repeatedly said enforcement must match any updated rules. Commissioner Michael Kirkpatrick urged that merchant and billboard enforcement work be aligned with pedicab enforcement, and Commissioner Jim Gibson said language should match the county’s recently revised mobile‑billboard rules so the county can remove or confiscate equipment when operators do not pay or comply.

Public commenters included licensed pedicab operators and drivers who said the trade supports local families and that modernization of the ordinance could create stable jobs while helping to remove rogue operators. Several operators urged placards or permanent identification on each pedicab so Metro and business licensing staff can identify licensed vehicles quickly.

Discussion vs. decision: The board did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting. Instead commissioners agreed on direction: staff should work with Commissioner Becker, business licensing, Metro and stakeholders (including resort operators and pedicab licensees) and return with a drafted ordinance that more clearly defines restricted areas, permanent vehicle identification, and enforcement mechanisms (including steps for confiscation or towing). No formal vote on a specific ordinance text was taken.

Next steps: Staff will prepare proposed ordinance language and enforcement options for a future meeting and will consult Metro and resort stakeholders during drafting.