Unincorporated towns in Nevada
Nevada state law allows for governance of unincorporated towns under two different systems. The Unincorporated Town Government Law, adopted in 1975, applies to counties of 100,000 people or more, and any other county that opts in. For other counties, a patchwork system of laws applies.[1]
A 1974 study by the state Legislative Commission identified 39 unincorporated towns in Nevada.[2] As of 2026, the Nevada Department of Taxation lists 47 unincorporated towns.[3] Elko County websites and ordinances continue to refer to the Unincorporated Town of Jarbidge[4][5], though it does not appear on the Department of Taxation's 2025 list of unincorporated towns[3]. Altogether, a total of 48 unincorporated towns are presumably active as of 2026.
There appears to be a distinction between the act of creating an unincorporated town and the act of establishing a separate governing body for such a jurisdiction. For instance, Clark County established Enterprise as an unincorporated town by ordinance in 1996[6], but a separate county ordinance creating an appointed advisory board was approved in 2003[7].
Uncontested seats for unincorporated town advisory boards may not be placed on the ballot of any election[8].
List of Unincorporated Town Governments with Population Over Time[9]
| # | Name | County | Status | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Census 2010 |
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Census 2020 |
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Type of Governing Body
|
Establishment of Governing Body
|
Legal source
|
Seats and Term
|
Selection
|
Website
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bunkerville | Clark | Active | 1198 | 1179 | 1255 | 1160 | 1222 | 1256 | 1255 | 1199 | 1084 | 1067 | 1039 | 1097 | 1096 | 1042 | 1049 | 1060 | 1010 | 1044 | 987 | 942 | 925 | 934 | 944 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7]. |
5 seats, 2 years[7] | Elected[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[10] |
| 2 | Enterprise | Clark | Active | 95377 | 119100 | 143917 | 149713 | 150473 | 165435 | 165285 | 160632 | 162872 | 170699 | 174064 | 183755 | 188503 | 193572 | 206266 | 211761 | 213073 | 220237 | 222522 | 234517 | 243834 | 249741 | 259959 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] | 5 seats, 2 years[7] | Appointed, with potential consideration of town poll results[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[11]. |
| 3 | Indian Springs | Clark | Active | 1679 | 1907 | 1659 | 1488 | 1447 | 1357 | 1356 | 1169 | 1192 | 1203 | 1220 | 1235 | 1259 | 1264 | 1138 | 1283 | 1279 | 1322 | 1108 | 1411 | 1547 | 1534 | 1508 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] | 5 seats, 2 years[7] | Appointed, with potential consideration of town poll results[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[12]. |
| 4 | Laughlin | Clark | Active | 8226 | 8458 | 8807 | 8761 | 7914 | 7874 | 7867 | 7166 | 8414 | 8835 | 8963 | 9186 | 9380 | 9672 | 10017 | 10001 | 9971 | 10306 | 9313 | 8990 | 8888 | 8858 | 8810 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] | 5 seats, 2 years[7] | Elected[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[13]. |
| 5 | Moapa | Clark | Active | 1261 | 1003 | 1201 | 998 | 1052 | 1061 | 1060 | 1390 | 1086 | 1094 | 1352 | 1363 | 1370 | 1026 | 1433 | 1430 | 1374 | 1420 | 1274 | 1311 | 1278 | 1276 | 1067 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] | 5 seats, 2 years[7] | Elected[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[13]. |
| 6 | Moapa Valley | Clark | Active | 6726 | 6845 | 8085 | 7134 | 7269 | 7503 | 7496 | 7647 | 6868 | 6871 | 6851 | 6875 | 6967 | 7115 | 7231 | 7368 | 7215 | 7458 | 6163 | 6335 | 6292 | 6242 | 6277 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7][14] | Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] | 5 seats, 2 years[7] | Elected[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[13]. |
| 7 | Mount Charleston | Clark | Active | 879 | 806 | 1179 | 1118 | 1061 | 1069 | 1068 | 655 | 647 | 651 | 635 | 653 | 665 | 666 | 682 | 700 | 661 | 683 | 735 | 732 | 747 | 738 | 684 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] | 5 seats, 2 years[7] | Appointed, with potential consideration of town poll results[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[15]. |
| 8 | Paradise | Clark | Active | 191650 | 186370 | 185935 | 182264 | 178974 | 185472 | 185304 | 181635 | 184745 | 187949 | 191047 | 192810 | 191705 | 193712 | 196586 | 200698 | 195245 | 201810 | 192552 | 190003 | 189229 | 188387 | 191215 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] |
5 seats, 2 years[7] | Appointed, with potential consideration of town poll results[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[16]. |
| 9 | Searchlight | Clark | Active | 1088 | 764 | 798 | 750 | 718 | 744 | 743 | 571 | 395 | 397 | 344 | 347 | 356 | 364 | 367 | 382 | 377 | 390 | 442 | 439 | 413 | 416 | 413 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7]. |
5 seats, 2 years[7] | Elected[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[17] |
| 10 | Spring Valley | Clark | Active | 165335 | 172110 | 176815 | 176910 | 174458 | 176872 | 176712 | 172483 | 184910 | 188818 | 191342 | 197958 | 211232 | 216228 | 224158 | 226723 | 222388 | 229865 | 214862 | 218452 | 219492 | 224164 | 227835 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] | 5 seats, 2 years[7] | Appointed, with potential consideration of town poll results[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[18]. |
| 11 | Summerlin (South) | Clark | Inactive[19] | 20256 | 21692 | 26415 | 27992 | 28342 | 29694 | 29667 | 25141 | 25260 | 26855 | 27244 | 28300 | 30013 | 30492 | 31894 | 32199 | 31977 | 33052 | 32957 | 33015 | 34256 | 34532 | 35593 | Unincorporated town administered directly by county[19] | No town government established[19] | No town government established[19] | Clark County Commission is the governing body[19] | Clark County Commission is the governing body[19] | None |
| 12 | Sunrise Manor | Clark | Active | 186511 | 191858 | 191966 | 185745 | 179808 | 175365 | 175206 | 191007 | 196570 | 199754 | 202710 | 206720 | 209932 | 210216 | 213341 | 216021 | 209310 | 216348 | 210189 | 210610 | 209587 | 208974 | 212012 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] |
5 seats, 2 years[7] | Appointed, with potential consideration of town poll results[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[20]. |
| 13 | Whitney | Clark | Active | 27155 | 33144 | 36182 | 36164 | 37690 | 37637 | 37603 | 39122 | 38910 | 39857 | 40567 | 41662 | 44110 | 44449 | 45419 | 46328 | 45014 | 46528 | 47426 | 46256 | 45901 | 46606 | 47407 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] | 5 seats, 2 years[7] | Appointed, with potential consideration of town poll results[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[21]. |
| 14 | Winchester | Clark | Active | 35208 | 34874 | 37561 | 37141 | 35235 | 35174 | 35142 | 33329 | 31634 | 31960 | 32413 | 32770 | 32972 | 33065 | 33402 | 34095 | 33153 | 34268 | 34749 | 34064 | 33402 | 33366 | 33894 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[7] | 2003[7] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Clark County Ord. 3004 § 1 (part) 2003, Ord. No. 4352, § 2, 11-17-2015[7] |
5 seats, 2 years[7] | Appointed, with potential consideration of town poll results[7] | None, information posted by Clark County[22]. |
| 15 | Gardnerville | Douglas | Active | 5165 | 5550 | 5394 | 5412 | 5250 | 4756 | 4983 | 5469 | 5495 | 5541 | 5760 | 5751 | 5780 | 5693 | 5874 | 6036 | 5982 | 5933 | 6188 | 5553 | 5667 | 5750 | 5940 | Unincorporated town government under NRS 269.500[23] | 1980[23] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Douglas County Ord. 351, § 4(part), 1980[23]. |
5 seats, 4 years[23] | Elected[23] | https://www.townofgardnerville.com/ |
| 16 | Genoa | Douglas | Active | 248 | 252 | 252 | 255 | 256 | 233 | 244 | 216 | 219 | 220 | 217 | 215 | 213 | 213 | 219 | 220 | 220 | 218 | 213 | 215 | 217 | 222 | 224 | Unincorporated town government under NRS 269.500[24] | 1980[24] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2] Douglas County Ord. 351, § 2(part), 1980[24] |
5 seats, 4 years[24] | Elected[24] | https://www.genoanevada.org/ |
| 17 | Minden | Douglas | Active | 2983 | 3234 | 3239 | 3261 | 3229 | 3067 | 3213 | 2984 | 3010 | 2993 | 3072 | 3072 | 3110 | 3191 | 3270 | 3293 | 3321 | 3294 | 3460 | 3323 | 3559 | 3856 | 4088 | Unincorporated town government under NRS 269.500[25] | 1980[25] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2] Douglas County Ord. 351 §3 (part), 1980[25] |
5 seats, 4 years[25] | Elected[25] | https://www.townofminden.com/ |
| 18 | Jackpot | Elko | Active | 1273 | 1293 | 1217 | 1222 | 1184 | 1103 | 1197 | 963 | 914 | 923 | 907 | 898 | 897 | 860 | 865 | 978 | 958 | 961 | 944 | 1148 | 1169 | 1167 | 1143 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[26] | 1982[26]. | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Town established by Elko County Ord. 1980-T, 10-9-1980, eff. 10-30-1980[27]. Town government established by Elko County Ord. 1982-K, 9-8-82, eff. 10-1-82; amd. Ord. 1984 H, 9-13-84, eff. 10-1-84[26]. |
5 seats, 2 years[26] | Appointed[26] | https://townofjackpot.com/ |
| 19 | Jarbidge | Elko | Active | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[28][29] | 1993[28] | Town established by Elko County Ord. 1993-E, 8-18-1993, eff. 9-1-1993[29]. Town government established by Elko County Ord. 1993-R, 12-12-93, eff. 12-20-93[28]. | 3 seats, 2 years[28] | Appointed[28] | None, information posted by Elko County[30]. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Montello | Elko | Active | 181 | 175 | 165 | 165 | 167 | 156 | 169 | 79 | 60 | 60 | 56 | 56 | 62 | 63 | 63 | 64 | 61 | 61 | 60 | 63 | 65 | 60 | 60 | Unincorporated Town Government under NRS 269.500[31] | 1982[31] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Elko County Ord. 1982-K, 9-8-82, eff. 10-1-82; amd. Ord. 1984-H, 9-13-84, eff. 10-1-84.[31] |
5 seats, 2 years[31] | Appointed[31] | |
| 21 | Mountain City | Elko | Active | 121 | 125 | 129 | 130 | 121 | 112 | 122 | 102 | 110 | 109 | 107 | 100 | 95 | 87 | 74 | 81 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 104 | 103 | 95 | 82 | Citizens' Advisory Council under NRS 269.024, confirmed by name[32] | 1982 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Elko County Ord. 1982-K, 9-8-82, eff. 10-1-82[32]. |
Appointed After Informal Election[32] | ||
| 22 | Goldfield | Esmeralda | Active | 438 | 430 | 448 | 415 | 441 | 274 | 400 | 288 | 259 | 293 | 272 | 262 | 260 | 263 | 274 | 282 | 210 | 288 | 292 | 324 | 345 | 364 | 373 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 23 | Silver Peak | Esmeralda | Active | 126 | 117 | 125 | 182 | 141 | 88 | 129 | 117 | 128 | 132 | 128 | 133 | 123 | 122 | 101 | 100 | 74 | 101 | 91 | 88 | 69 | 72 | 74 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 24 | Crescent Valley | Eureka | Active | 311 | 292 | 289 | 282.76446[33] | 283 | 366 | 296 | 396 | 370 | 371 | 374 | 374 | 372 | 380 | 367 | 381 | 355 | 370 | 376 | 309 | 297 | 309 | 303 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 25 | Eureka | Eureka | Active | 440 | 433 | 431 | 473 | 483 | 616 | 499 | 611 | 717 | 720 | 691 | 697 | 732 | 701 | 734 | 717 | 671 | 701 | 684 | 657 | 635 | 657 | 650 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 26 | Austin | Lander | Active | 288 | 287 | 275 | 309 | 304 | 301 | 312 | 171 | 173 | 169 | 170 | 166 | 166 | 166 | 167 | 156 | 143 | 158 | 153 | 163 | 153 | 170 | 163 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 27 | Battle Mountain | Lander | Active | 2692 | 2740 | 2845 | 2922 | 2967 | 2816 | 2922 | 3326 | 3421 | 3657 | 3804 | 3573 | 3559 | 3473 | 3387 | 3391 | 3157 | 3482 | 3424 | 3158 | 3159 | 3261 | 3122 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 28 | Kingston | Lander | Active | 288 | 306 | 309 | 320 | 331 | 316 | 328 | 125 | 124 | 124 | 128 | 120 | 136 | 123 | 123 | 122 | 117 | 129 | 126 | 125 | 126 | 135 | 125 | ||||||
| 29 | Alamo | Lincoln | Active | 428 | 432 | 427 | 464 | 455 | 608 | 503 | 627 | 583 | 583 | 578 | 580 | 660 | 673 | 684 | 686 | 596 | 707 | 591 | 721 | 648 | 656 | 646 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 30 | Panaca | Lincoln | Active | 562 | 558 | 595 | 645 | 659 | 757 | 626 | 781 | 832 | 811 | 797 | 783 | 798 | 797 | 810 | 811 | 695 | 824 | 841 | 861 | 872 | 847 | 850 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 31 | Pioche | Lincoln | Active | 698 | 703 | 791 | 785 | 837 | 1014 | 839 | 933 | 810 | 790 | 784 | 744 | 773 | 784 | 797 | 798 | 683 | 809 | 810 | 1020 | 1062 | 1049 | 1001 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 32 | Hawthorne | Mineral | Active | 2956 | 2931 | 2960 | 2970 | 3028 | 3409 | 3194 | 3008 | 3086 | 3076 | 3023 | 3035 | 2868 | 3066 | 3065 | 3100 | 2969 | 3192 | 3152 | 3236 | 3214 | 3164 | 3161 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 33 | Luning | Mineral | Active | 87 | 81 | 79 | 80 | 79 | 83 | 78 | 88 | 99 | 100 | 98 | 101 | 123 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 91 | 98 | 92 | 102 | 103 | 86 | 78 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 34 | Mina | Mineral | Active | 276 | 218 | 205 | 207 | 207 | 190 | 178 | 129 | 162 | 163 | 160 | 153 | 173 | 173 | 174 | 174 | 166 | 179 | 154 | 144 | 132 | 117 | 118 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 35 | Walker Lake | Mineral | Active | 310 | 319 | 299 | 305 | 316 | 339 | 318 | 307 | 349 | 346 | 329 | 378 | 403 | 322 | 327 | 330 | 313 | 337 | 317 | 263 | 261 | 261 | 245 | ||||||
| 36 | Amargosa | Nye | Active | 1383 | 1435 | 1503 | 1521 | 1392 | 1442 | 1492 | 1331 | 1353 | 1342 | 1426 | 1396 | 1390 | 1344 | 1327 | 1327 | 1527 | 1433 | 1401 | 1783 | 1836 | 1662 | 1659 | ||||||
| 37 | Beatty | Nye | Active | 1032 | 1025 | 1059 | 1024 | 880 | 893 | 924 | 979 | 1011 | 966 | 975 | 973 | 950 | 961 | 974 | 998 | 996 | 935 | 959 | 1059 | 1099 | 1049 | 1028 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | https://www.beattynv.info/town.html | ||||
| 38 | Gabbs | Nye | Active | 312 | 313 | 322 | 332 | 316 | 294 | 304 | 282 | 271 | 259 | 245 | 231 | 226 | 218 | 220 | 221 | 142 | 133 | 209 | 223 | 218 | 199 | 190 | ||||||
| 39 | Manhattan | Nye | Active | 124 | 122 | 140 | 138 | 135 | 129 | 133 | 121 | 125 | 124 | 133 | 134 | 130 | 126 | 128 | 138 | 142 | 133 | 130 | 142 | 146 | 66 | 64 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 40 | Pahrump | Nye | Active | 33241 | 36645 | 37928 | 38882 | 38247 | 36538 | 37796 | 36995 | 36593 | 37030 | 37626 | 38482 | 38238 | 39023 | 40473 | 41069 | 44204 | 41482 | 41940 | 42828 | 43984 | 43563 | 43690 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 41 | Round Mountain | Nye | Active | 744 | 787 | 831 | 850 | 837 | 779 | 806 | 771 | 809 | 822 | 846 | 837 | 799 | 772 | 768 | 763 | 793 | 744 | 734 | 765 | 803 | 706 | 669 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 42 | Tonopah | Nye | Active | 2607 | 2600 | 2610 | 2628 | 2580 | 2405 | 2488 | 2346 | 2552 | 2593 | 2578 | 2345 | 2291 | 2311 | 2259 | 2163 | 1942 | 1823 | 2170 | 2493 | 2722 | 2851 | 3086 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 43 | Imlay | Pershing | Active | 223 | 228 | 233 | 243 | 233 | 233 | 233 | 160 | 186 | 244 | 257 | 196 | 208 | 207 | 203 | 208 | 217 | 221 | 212 | 216 | 222 | 225 | 227 | 1988 | Pershing County Ord. 94 §2(A), 1988[34] | ||||
| 44 | Gold Hill | Storey | Active | 191 | 203 | 209 | 212 | 207 | 191 | 202 | 238 | 204 | 200 | 201 | 201 | 204 | 202 | 207 | 206 | 212 | 222 | 212 | 228 | 229 | 225 | 225 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 45 | Virginia City | Storey | Active | 938 | 954 | 1011 | 1027 | 1011 | 945 | 998 | 859 | 830 | 841 | 832 | 831 | 845 | 850 | 887 | 904 | 759 | 796 | 932 | 918 | 900 | 896 | 897 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 46 | Lund | White Pine | Active | 156 | 162 | 164 | 157 | 158 | 178 | 162 | 207 | 206 | 206 | 208 | 197 | 202 | 205 | 206 | 205 | 170 | 205 | 208 | 207 | 205 | 214 | 208 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 47 | McGill | White Pine | Active | 1109 | 1145 | 1125 | 1128 | 1109 | 1215 | 1108 | 1168 | 1175 | 1177 | 1200 | 1161 | 1166 | 1191 | 1186 | 1187 | 1007 | 1211 | 1201 | 1184 | 1148 | 1167 | 1169 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 48 | Ruth | White Pine | Active | 394 | 405 | 400 | 407 | 402 | 437 | 399 | 420 | 418 | 424 | 429 | 434 | 437 | 450 | 448 | 455 | 366 | 440 | 432 | 430 | 416 | 423 | 423 | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | |||||
| 49 | East Las Vegas | ? | Inactive? | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50 | Fernley | ? | Inactive? | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 51 | Logandale | Clark County | Merged to form Moapa Valley[35] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 52 | Mesquite | Clark County | Incorporated as city[36] | Unincorporated town board, unknown[36][37] | Unknown | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. Unknown. | Unknown | Unknown | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 53 | Overton | Clark County | Merged to form Moapa Valley[35] | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 54 | Silver City | ? | Inactive? | Predates the unincorporated town statutes[2]. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55 | Glendale | Clark | Dissolved[38] | Unknown | Unknown, dissolved ca. 2001[38] | Clark County Ord. 615[39] | 5 seats, term unknown[38] | Unknown | Unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 57 | West Wendover | Clark | Converted to incorporated city? | Unincorporated town[40] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 58 | Gold Circle | Renamed to Midas in 1909[41], Converted to incorporated city? | Unincorporated town[42] |
According to Clark County, "In Nevada, County Commissioners are the legally constituted town boards for all unincorporated towns. While all official governmental decisions are made by the Board of County Commissioners, each unincorporated town has a Town Advisory Board (TAB) which assists the Board of County Commissioners by providing input on matters of importance to its community. These issues range from community parks and neighborhood improvements to zoning, traffic, and street maintenance. In addition, six Citizens Advisory Councils (CAC) serve in a similar capacity for communities located outside the boundaries of unincorporated towns"[19].
List of Citizens' Advisory Councils
| # | Name | County | Status | Type
|
Legally Established | Legal source
|
Seats and Term
|
Selection
|
Website
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goodsprings | Clark County | Active | Citizens' Advisory Council under N.R.S. 244.1945[43][44] | 1980 | Clark County Ord. 720 § 1 (part), 1980[43] | Unknown | Unknown | None, information posted by Clark County[44]. |
| 2 | Lone Mountain | Clark County | Active | Citizens' Advisory Council under N.R.S. 244.1945[43][45] | 1980 | Clark County Ord. 720 § 1 (part), 1980[43] | Unknown | Unknown | None, information posted by Clark County[45]. |
| 3 | Lower Kyle Canyon | Clark County | Active | Citizens' Advisory Council under N.R.S. 244.1945[43][46] | 1980 | Clark County Ord. 720 § 1 (part), 1980[43] | Unknown | Unknown | None, information posted by Clark County[46]. |
| 4 | Mountain Springs | Clark County | Active | Citizens' Advisory Council under N.R.S. 244.1945[43][47] | 1980 | Clark County Ord. 720 § 1 (part), 1980[43] | Unknown | Unknown | None, information posted by Clark County[47]. |
| 4 | Red Rock | Clark County | Active | Citizens' Advisory Council under N.R.S. 244.1945[43][48] | 1980 | Clark County Ord. 720 § 1 (part), 1980[43] | Unknown | Unknown | None, information posted by Clark County[48]. |
| 5 | Sandy Valley | Clark County | Active | Citizens' Advisory Council under N.R.S. 244.1945[43][49] | 1980 | Clark County Ord. 720 § 1 (part), 1980[43] | Unknown | Unknown | None, information posted by Clark County[49]. |
Unincorporated Town Government Law
The Unincorporated Town Government Law,[50] adopted in 1975, applies to counties with a population over 100,000 (Clark and Washoe Counties), and any other county whose commissioners pass an ordinance adopting the law.[50]
Under this law, unincorporated towns are provided extra services by the county, paid for by property taxes or other revenue sources from the town.[50] A town can be formed by an initiative petition by residents, or by the county commissioners.[50]
A town advisory board is impaneled for each town. The county commissioners may choose for the town advisory board to be elected by town residents, or appointed by the commissioners. In either case, the commissioners may remove a board member at any time.[51]
The advisory board is responsible for acting as a liaison between the residents and the county commissioners, and advising the commissioners on budgets and local ordinances.[52] The commissioners may delegate to the advisory board management of local services and expenditures.[53]
Other counties
In counties where the Unincorporated Town Government Law does not apply, a town board may be established for an unincorporated town, either by initiative petition or act of the county commissioners.[50] The five-member board is elected by residents.[54]
The county commission may levy a property tax of up to 1.5% on all property in the town.[50] This tax, and other town revenue, is placed in a town fund administered by the county, to be used only for the benefit of the town.[50]
Many town government functions can be exercised jointly by the town board or the county commissioners, such as providing local services,[50] adopting ordinances,[50] regulating businesses,[50] establishing police and fire departments,[55] and issuing bonds.[50]
As an alternative to a town board, county commissioners may create a citizens' advisory council for an unincorporated town.[50] The three-to-five-member council is appointed by commissioners after an "informal election".[50] The council acts in an advisory and liaison capacity, and does not affect the responsibilities of the commissioners.[56]
The option to establish a town board was enacted in 1967.[57] The system was unpopular, because of an impractical provision that required two county commissioners to sit on the town board; by 1975, it had been adopted by only one town, Crescent Valley.[58] The citizens' advisory council provision was passed into law in 1973.[58][59] The town board law was later amended in 1985 to remove the requirement of county commissioners serving on the board.[60]
Notes
- ^ Henry Brean (2009-12-19). "Nevada desert town can't find its boundaries". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an Unincorporated Town Governments (PDF) (Report). Legislative Commission of the Legislative Council Bureau, State of Nevada. 1974. p. 8. Retrieved 2017-10-19.
- ^ a b "2025 Population NV Counties, Incorporated Cities & Unincorporated Towns" (PDF). Nevada Department of Taxation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2026-02-21. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ "1-11-3: UNINCORPORATED TOWN OF JARBIDGE; FORMATION:". American Legal Publishing. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "Elko County, NV". cms2.revize.com. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ Schweers, Jeff (1996-12-18). "Commission creates town of Enterprise". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn "Chapter 3.30 - Town Advisory Boards". library.municode.com.
- ^ NRS 293.260 3.(c) https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-293.html#NRS293Sec260.
- ^ All population estimates are captured on July 1st of the specified year, with the exception of the decennial census numbers, which were captured on April 1st of the specified year. See https://web.archive.org/web/20260221185813/https://tax.nv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FINAL-Pop-Nevada-Counties-Incorp-Cities-Unincorp-Towns-2025.pdf for the original source.
- ^ "Bunkerville Town Advisory Board (TAB)". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ "Enterprise Town Advisory Board (TAB)". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ "Indian Springs Town Advisory Board (TAB)". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ a b c "Laughlin Town Advisory Board (TAB)". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ The first election for five members of the town advisory board after the merging of Overton and Logandale into Moapa Valley was held on February 10, 1981 per https://www.newspapers.com/image/1296686968/?match=1&terms=%22overton%22%20%22logandale%22
- ^ "Mt. Charleston TAB". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ "Paradise TAB". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ "Searchlight TAB". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ "Spring Valley TAB". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ a b c d e f g "CLARK COUNTY GOVERNMENT" (PDF). Clark County Nevada.
- ^ "Sunrise Manor TAB". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ "Whitney TAB". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ "Winchester TAB". Clark County Nevada.
- ^ a b c d e "18.06.010 - Creation". library.municode.com.
- ^ a b c d e "CHAPTER 18.02. - GENOA". library.municode.com.
- ^ a b c d e "CHAPTER 18.04. - MINDEN". library.municode.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Chapter 1C - Town Advisory Board Jackpot, Nevada". Code Library.
- ^ "1-11-2: JACKPOT UNINCORPORATED TOWN; FORMATION:". codelibrary.amlegal.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Chapter 1D - Town Advisory Board, Jarbidge, Nevada". Code Library.
- ^ a b Converted from Citizens' Advisory Council in 1993. See "1-11-3: UNINCORPORATED TOWN OF JARBIDGE; FORMATION:". codelibrary.amlegal.com.
- ^ "Elko County, NV". cms2.revize.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Chapter 1B - Town Advisory Board, Montello, Nevada". American Legal Publishing.
- ^ a b c "2-1A-1: CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COUNCIL CREATED:". American Legal Publishing.
- ^ This number is copied directly from the source file of the Nevada Department of Taxation without alteration. No explanation for the decimal is provided in the document.
- ^ "CHAPTER 2.44 UNINCORPORATED TOWN OF IMLAY". American Legal Publishing.
- ^ a b "Feb 04, 1981, page 26 - Reno Gazette-Journal at Newspapers.com™". Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b From https://epubs.nsla.nv.gov/statepubs/epubs/210777-1995-2Summer.pdf: "Historically, both Bunkerville and Mesquite had always been unincorporated towns governed by the Clark County Board of Commissioners under the Nevada Revised Statutes." Mesquite incorporated as a city on May 24, 1984 per https://www.newspapers.com/image/285189004/?match=1&terms=mesquite%20incorporation.
- ^ "Jan 16, 1984, page 3 - The Daily Spectrum at Newspapers.com™". Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "HITTING THE ROAD: Goodbye, Glendale, Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV), December 4, 2001, p1". infoweb.newsbank.com.
- ^ "Municode Library". library.municode.com.
- ^ "Nov 16, 1985, page 11 - Elko Daily Free Press at Newspapers.com™". Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bennett, Dana R. (2007). Midas, Nevada, 1907-2007: A century of enthusiasm. Midas, NV: Friends of Midas. p. 192. ISBN 978-0-9790127-0-9.
- ^ "Apr 03, 1973, page 6 - Elko Daily Free Press at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Municode Library". library.municode.com.
- ^ a b https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/town___liaison_services/goodsprings-cac
- ^ a b https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/town___liaison_services/lone-mountain-cac
- ^ a b https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/town___liaison_services/lower-kyle-canyon-cac
- ^ a b https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/town___liaison_services/mountain-springs-cac
- ^ a b https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/town___liaison_services/red-rock-cac
- ^ a b https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/town___liaison_services/sandy-valley-cac
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "NRS: CHAPTER 269 - UNINCORPORATED TOWNS". www.leg.state.nv.us.
- ^ NRS 269.576, NRS 269.577
- ^ NRS 269.576, NRS 269.577, NRS 269.590
- ^ NRS 269.580, NRS 269.590
- ^ NRS 269.017, NRS 269.0171
- ^ NRS 269.235, NRS 269.250
- ^ NRS 269.024, NRS 269.0246
- ^ 1967 Statutes of Nevada, Chapter 545 - An act relating to unincorporated towns; to provide for the establishment of a town board form of government... April 27, 1967. Retrieved 2017-10-19.
- ^ a b Unincorporated Town Governments (PDF) (Report). Legislative Commission of the Legislative Council Bureau, State of Nevada. 1975. pp. 10–11. Retrieved 2017-10-19.
- ^ 1973 Statutes of Nevada, Chapter 514 - An act to amend chapter 269 of NRS, relating to unincorporated towns, by providing that the board of county commissioners may appoint a citizens’ advisory council... April 22, 1973. Retrieved 2017-10-19.
- ^ 1985 Statutes of Nevada, Chapter 216 - An act relating to unincorporated towns; requiring all members of a town board to be elected from the qualified electors of the town... May 20, 1985. Retrieved 2017-10-19.