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Nye County declares 980 South Firebird Circle a public nuisance; owner given six months to clean up
Summary
After a lengthy hearing, the Nye County Board of Commissioners declared 980 South Firebird Circle a public nuisance, gave owner Richard Sandin until May 7, 2025, to abate unsafe structures and sanitation issues, and authorized staff to pursue abatement and a special assessment if work is not completed.
The Nye County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 7 declared the property at 980 South Firebird Circle in Pahrump a public nuisance and set a six-month deadline for the owner to bring the site into compliance.
The action, moved by Commissioner Jabbour, responds to a code-compliance case opened in 2021 that staff said includes unsafe and unpermitted structures, no approved sewage or water supply, accumulation of junk and debris and other health hazards. The board added an instruction to direct staff to use abatement procedures and to apply a special assessment to the parcel for the total cost of abatement if the owner does not clean the property by 05/07/2025.
Chief code compliance staff Susan Ryhall told commissioners the case has been through notification and a citation process; she said the owner had been difficult to contact until the abatement notice was posted and that the property remains in violation. The district attorney's office advised the board that its first step is to determine whether the property presents a public nuisance; if so, the board may set a reasonable abatement period and authorize enforcement steps including a district-court abatement action and lien for costs.
Owner Richard Sandin addressed the board and described the site as a "desert research station" and a place he had occupied for several years. Sandin said he hoped to sell the parcel but asked for time and help to move his belongings, noting health limitations after COVID and that he is a veteran. "I do want to sell the property. I do want to bring it into compliance," Sandin said, asking for a couple of months to find assistance and arrange removal of structures.
Commissioners acknowledged Sandin's circumstances but emphasized the long duration of the code case. After discussion about a reasonable compliance timeline and confirmation from the district attorney's office about enforcement options, Commissioner Jabbour moved — and the board unanimously approved — the nuisance declaration with the six-month abatement timeline and special-assessment authority.
The board's motion directed staff to work with the district attorney to begin abatement procedures if the owner fails to meet the deadline; staff said any abatement costs would be pursued as a special assessment against the property.
The board closed the item without further amendment and moved on to other agenda matters.
