Carnival and Circus

1.      Confirm that the business location is within the Las Vegas city limits and that the location is zoned this activity.  Special zoning restrictions may apply and a temporary commercial permit may be required.  Call Current Planning at (702) 229-6301 for assistance with this. 

2.      Make application for a Nevada sales tax permit and state business license from the Nevada Department of Taxation located at 555 East Washington Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101.  Call (702) 486-2300 for additional information.

3.      Each traveling circus or carnival operator shall file with the City of Las Vegas a certificate of insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State which names the City of Las Vegas as an additional insured and which shows that such person has insurance coverage of at least $600,000 total liability for each occurrence, and at least $200,000 bodily injury coverage for each person.

4.      Each principal and each employee of the business must obtain and maintain a valid work card pursuant to Las Vegas Municipal Code Chapter 6.86. Call (702) 828-3271 for additional information.

5.      Apply for and obtain a Health Permit from the Southern Nevada Health Department located at 625 Shadow Lane, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89106.  For more information call (702) 759-1258.

6.      30 days prior to commencing business, bring a completed license application and all applicable items listed above to the Business Services Division, 400 Stewart Avenue, 3^rd Floor (City Hall).

7.      Fees due with the application are $100.00 per day + $30.00 processing fee.  Make checks payable to CITY OF LAS VEGAS.

8.      The owner, operator or business must keep records the following records and make those records available for inspection by a police officer at the site of the carnival or circus operation during all hours it is open for business:

(A) The name and address of each concession owner and operator;

(B) The name and address of each person working at a concession;

(C) The wages, salary, or commission paid and hours worked by each such person;

(D) The gross receipts of each concession;

(E) The amount of stock or merchandise dispensed to the players of each game concession; and

(F) The name, address, age and extent of injuries of any person injured on the premises where the carnival or circus is conducted.

9.      Business license applications are sent to the Planning Department and Fire Department for review and inspection.  Upon approval from these agencies and completion of all items listed above, the Business Services Division will issue your business license.