On October 4, 2022, the Board of Clark County Commissioners (the “Board”) held a meeting to discuss a possible ordinance regulating County hookah businesses. The Clark County Department of Business License (“CCBL”) and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (“Metro”) identified concerns about the number of hookah establishments they believe are operating outside the bounds of their issued licenses.
The purpose of the meeting was simply for the Board, CCBL, and Metro to share their concerns and ideas. However, it is likely that the Board will consider a new ordinance in the near future that will create a new licensing category for hookah establishments. This license will likely be similar to liquor licenses, where owners must undergo background investigations and make certain financial disclosures. The meeting contained some discussion of whether existing and compliant hookah lounges will be “grandfathered in,” meaning exempt from the new licensing requirements, however no decision has been made yet. The Board also contemplated whether existing liquor licensees will need to undergo new background checks or disclosures—but again no decision has been made yet.
Please feel free to reach out to Saltzman Mugan Dushoff, PLLCwith any questions.