on September 10, 2026

Nevada Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: Nevada has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. The highest set ticket among them is $150, in Las Vegas.

Why Nevada leaves it to cities

Nevada has no statewide statute requiring dog-waste pickup. State law lets each county regulate or prohibit animals running at large and, for animal ordinances, substitute a civil penalty of up to $500 for a criminal one (NRS 244.359). Cleanup rules in Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas come from each city's own code.

  • County ordinances on control of animals and running at large: NRS 244.359 (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in Nevada's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Las Vegas Las Vegas Municipal Code 7.36.040 (Solid waste nuisances); civil penalty 7.44.110; parks 13.36.130(C) $150 Yes
Henderson Henderson Municipal Code 7.08.010(A) (Caring for animals; sanitation; nuisance), as enacted by Ord. No. 4115 (10-21-2025); administrative fines 7.90.070; criminal penalty 7.90.040 $100 No
North Las Vegas North Las Vegas Municipal Code 6.11.020(A) (Animal waste, odor and noise); penalty 6.06.050 Up to $1,000 No

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

In Las Vegas, the law does not just require you to pick up. It requires you to be carrying something to pick up with, so walking out without a bag can be an offense on its own even if your dog never goes.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about Nevada

  • Henderson replaced its animal code in October 2025 (Ord. No. 4115) and moved enforcement toward administrative citations: $100, $300, then $500 for homes, double that range for commercial properties, plus a $150 administrative processing fee (7.90.070).
  • Las Vegas penalties grow if ignored: the $150 civil penalty picks up an equal extra penalty after 30 days without a response, and twice the original after an unanswered delinquency notice (7.44.090).
  • Las Vegas is the only one of the three that requires carrying a bag or scoop, and only inside city parks, recreational facilities and public plazas (13.36.130(C)).
  • North Las Vegas and Reno trade places as Nevada's third-largest city depending on the Census vintage. Reno's own municipal code (searched on Municode 2026-09-10) contains no dog-waste section; the county code that covers Reno was not checked.

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in Nevada?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in Nevada?

It depends on the city. Las Vegas: $150. Henderson: $100. North Las Vegas: Up to $1,000.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in Nevada?

In Las Vegas, yes. The ordinance requires you to have a means of removal with you while walking your dog.

Other states in the West

California · Washington · Arizona · Colorado · Oregon · Utah · New Mexico · Idaho

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.