Overview
Las Vegas and Clark County are governed by Clark County Air Quality Management Division (CCAQMD) for wood-burning rules and by the City of Las Vegas or Clark County Building Division for permits. Las Vegas has an extremely high HOA density — nearly 60% of Clark County residential properties are in HOA-governed communities. Wood-burning use is uncommon due to the desert climate and HOA restrictions, with propane and natural gas fire features being far more prevalent.
Building Permits
City of Las Vegas Development Services for city properties; Clark County Building Division for unincorporated areas. Las Vegas online permits: lasvegasnevada.gov/business/permits. Permanent fire features require building permits. Gas connections require a plumbing permit and licensed contractor. Portable features do not require permits.
CCAQMD Wood-Burning Rules
Clark County Air Quality Management Division operates a wood-burning curtailment program during winter months. Curtailment days ban wood burning in residential fireplaces, fire pits, and wood stoves in Clark County. Check cleanairforce.com or call 702-368-1664 for curtailment status. Gas fire features are not restricted.
Practical Notes for Las Vegas
Las Vegas has very few wood-burning outdoor fire features in practice. The combination of HOA restrictions (most developments explicitly prohibit wood-burning), CCAQMD curtailment rules, and the desert climate (where fire features are used primarily in cooler months — exactly when curtailment days occur) means gas is the overwhelmingly dominant fuel choice. A propane fire table or natural gas fire bowl is the practical standard for Las Vegas outdoor living areas.
Department Contacts
| Department | Contact | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| City of Las Vegas Development Services | lasvegasnevada.gov/permits / 702-229-6011 | Building permits |
| Clark County Building Division | clarkcountynv.gov/building / 702-455-3000 | Unincorporated Clark County permits |
| CCAQMD (wood-burning curtailment) | cleanairforce.com / 702-368-1664 | Curtailment days, air quality |