How Nevada’s New Law Protects Dogs of All Breeds in Rental Housing

A new Nevada law takes aim at decades of breed discrimination in rental housing, giving dog owners across the state a long-awaited victory.

For years, families were forced to make heartbreaking decisions — keep the dog they love or secure a roof over their heads. Landlords across Las Vegas, Reno, and beyond routinely turned away tenants with pit bulls, German shepherds, and other large breeds, citing insurance restrictions. But that excuse no longer holds up.

As of October 1, 2025, Senate Bill 166 (SB 166) is now in effect, prohibiting insurance companies from using dog breed as a factor in landlord liability policies. Signed by Governor Joe Lombardo on May 31, 2025, the new law means landlords can no longer claim “insurance won’t allow it.”

How Insurance Policies Fueled Discrimination

The problem began years earlier, buried deep in the fine print of insurance coverage.

In 2021, Nevada took a bold first step with Senate Bill 103, banning insurance companies from denying homeowners or renters coverage based solely on dog breed. It was hailed as a landmark win for pet owners, but one major loophole remained.

While homeowners gained protection, landlords were still bound by a separate category of insurance: commercial landlord liability coverage. This type of policy shields property owners from injury claims, including dog bites, and was not covered under SB 103. Insurance brokers frequently advised landlords to impose breed bans to avoid jeopardizing coverage, even when such clauses weren’t actually in the insurance terms.

Many property owners didn’t read their own policies. They simply followed outdated advice, leading to thousands of “no pit bulls” and “no large breeds” rental listings statewide.

The result was a quiet crisis — families being denied housing for owning dogs such as rottweilers, Dobermans, mastiffs, or even boxers. Breeds known for their loyalty and affection were suddenly branded uninsurable.

The Truth About Breed Stereotypes

Scientific research has long disputed the notion that certain dog breeds are inherently dangerous.

A 2022 landmark study confirmed that aggression is influenced far more by environment, training, and socialization than by genetics. In fact, visual identification of dog breeds is notoriously unreliable — most mixed-breed dogs can’t be accurately categorized at all.

Major animal welfare organizations, including the ASPCA, have repeatedly stated that using breed as a proxy for risk is both unscientific and discriminatory. Yet landlords continued to lean on blanket restrictions, punishing responsible owners based on myth rather than evidence.

What SB 166 Actually Does

SB 166 closes the loophole once and for all.

Under the new law, insurers can no longer use dog breed as a factor when underwriting landlord liability policies for multi-family residential properties. This means landlords can accept tenants with any breed, without risking policy cancellations or premium hikes.

The law applies to any policy issued, renewed, or modified after October 1, 2025, and it’s now fully in force across the state. From that date forward, landlords renewing coverage must comply with breed-neutral rules.

It’s a sweeping change that expands Nevada’s existing protections to apartment complexes, condominiums, and other rental housing, finally giving renters with dogs the same rights homeowners have enjoyed since 2021.

One Important Addition Worth Noting

SB 166 also extends these protections to umbrella policies — a crucial but often overlooked form of coverage that supplements homeowners, renters, and landlord liability insurance.

The law now prohibits breed-based discrimination in all the following types of policies:

• Homeowners insurance
• Renters insurance
• Manufactured or mobile home insurance
• Multi-family residential dwelling policies
• Umbrella liability policies

In other words, any insurance product issued in Nevada after October 1, 2025, must treat dogs as individuals, not stereotypes.

Protecting Pets in Supportive Housing

SB 166 also tackles a lesser-known issue: the exclusion of pets from supportive housing.

These state-funded programs provide long-term accommodation for individuals overcoming homelessness, institutionalization, or serious illness. Until now, many prohibited pets altogether, forcing people to surrender their animals in order to qualify for housing.

The new law mandates that recipients of state supportive housing grants must allow tenants to keep at least one pet.

This change carries enormous social impact. Studies show that low-income renters and communities of color face the greatest barriers to pet-friendly housing, often paying higher deposits or being outright denied leases. By ensuring that supportive housing welcomes pets, Nevada is setting a precedent for compassion and stability that keeps families (human and animal) together.

What It Means for Renters and Landlords

For dog owners, the message is simple: breed discrimination is no longer legal in Nevada rental housing.

Landlords may still require pet deposits, liability coverage, or behavior screenings, but they can’t deny tenants purely because of breed. If a landlord claims their insurance forbids certain breeds, that’s no longer a valid excuse under state law.

Importantly, SB 166 still allows insurers to deny coverage or adjust premiums if a specific dog is proven to be dangerous or has a documented bite history. In other words, the focus has shifted from punishing breeds to assessing behavior, an approach that reflects fairness and evidence-based risk management.

Experts predict that some property managers will be slow to adapt, but the legal foundation has shifted firmly toward inclusion. Pet-friendly housing is no longer a favor — it’s a right.

Forward-thinking landlords are already updating their approach. Instead of outdated breed lists, they’re adopting modern risk management measures such as renter-provided pet insurance, pet profiles, and higher refundable deposits. Those who’ve dropped breed restrictions report smoother tenant relationships and no increase in claims.

A Broader National Movement

Nevada isn’t alone in taking action. Similar reforms have gained momentum across the country.

Illinois introduced breed-neutral insurance laws in 2022, New York followed in 2021, and Colorado’s HB25-1207 is set to take effect in early 2026.

What began with Nevada’s SB 103 in 2021 has evolved into a national shift toward fairness, evidence-based policy, and compassion. By extending protections to renters, Nevada is once again at the forefront of change.

A Future Without “No Pit Bull” Signs

For countless Nevada families, SB 166 represents more than just policy — it’s peace of mind.

The days of being told “we don’t allow your kind of dog” are finally over. From downtown Las Vegas apartments to Reno’s rental communities, pets are now judged by their behavior, not their breed.

With the law now in effect, Nevada stands among the most progressive states in the nation when it comes to protecting renters with pets. Landlords can no longer hide behind outdated insurance excuses, and families no longer have to choose between their homes and their dogs.

As of last month, every dog in Nevada (pit bull or poodle, shepherd or shih tzu) has the right to a home.