Start an LLC in Las Vegas, Nevada

Doing business in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the largest city in Nevada and the seat of Clark County. Downtown, the Arts District and neighborhoods across the valley support restaurants, entertainment vendors, medical practices and service companies. The city licenses businesses inside its limits; much of the Strip is outside city limits, in unincorporated Clark County. Las Vegas businesses that operate from home usually need a home occupation approval along with the city business license. Restaurants and bars also need health permits from the Southern Nevada Health District, and liquor licensing is handled separately. Downtown redevelopment around Fremont Street, the Arts District on Main Street and the medical district near University Medical Center each draw a different mix of new companies, from galleries and bars to clinics and billing services.

Las Vegas had 678,922 residents in 2024, the largest city in Nevada by the Census Bureau's estimate, inside Clark County (65,312 establishments and an average wage of $64,985 countywide). City hall is at 495 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Sales tax inside Las Vegas is the Clark County rate of 8.375 percent; Nevada cities do not levy a separate sales tax. The city holds 28.3 percent of Clark County's 2,398,871 residents and 20.8 percent of all Nevadans. On a $1,000 taxable sale, the 8.375 percent rate adds $83.75.

Your LLC or corporation is filed with the Secretary of State, together with the initial list and the state business license. A business located in Las Vegas also needs a Las Vegas business license before it opens. A trade name is filed as a fictitious firm name with the Clark County Clerk, not with the city.

Getting the Las Vegas business license

Las Vegas will ask for proof the company exists, so apply after the Secretary of State returns your filed articles and state business license. Home-based businesses may also need zoning or home occupation approval from the city.

Sales tax in Las Vegas

Nevada cities do not add their own sales tax, so a sale in Las Vegas is taxed at the Clark County rate of 8.375%. Register with the Department of Taxation for a seller's permit before the first taxable sale.

Trade names go to the county clerk

A DBA in Nevada is a fictitious firm name certificate filed with the county clerk, not with Las Vegas and not with the Secretary of State (NRS 602.010). For Las Vegas that is the Clark County Clerk (702-671-0600).