Las Vegas passes payment policies to help shuttered small businesses

The Las Vegas City Council Wednesday unanimously approved emergency policies to help struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 shutdown.

They include a 60-day grace period for business license renewals, an extension of land use rights for the duration of Nevada’s state of emergency, and the waiving of late fees, penalties and liens on sewer bills.

The policies aim to reduce the economic stress many businesses have faced since Gov. Steve Sisolak mandated March 20 that nonessential businesses in Nevada temporarily close.

“If anybody needs help in a payment plan, the city is open to that,” Mayor Carolyn Goodman said. “We’re here with you. We want you to know we’re here to help.”

The grace period on business license renewals allows businesses other than gaming and marijuana establishments to pay their renewal fee up to 60 days after it was due without being penalized. The emergency land use policy says that any businesses with land use permits that ceased prior to March 20 will not be charged during the days in which the emergency declaration remains in place.

In addition, sewer fees that are past due between March 16 and 30 days after an eventual city declaration ending the COVID-19 emergency will be waived.

Other city policies already in place to help shuttered businesses include a measure that allows restaurants and brew pubs to sell alcohol along with food for delivery and pickup. Businesses that board up and beautify their buildings while closed can also apply for grant funding through the city.

“I think it’s important that we continue to be nimble and are very responsive,” said Ward 5 Councilman Cedric Crear, who owns two small businesses in Las Vegas. “This whole pandemic has been a huge setback for many, including myself.”

Ward 4 Councilman Stavros Anthony said city officials should also make it clear that they intend to work with businesses looking to find ways to stay afloat, such as by switching to delivery, Anthony said.

“On top of the fees and licensing, I think we’re going to get a lot of small businesses that are trying to reopen in different ways that do not violate any state directives,” he said.