Do You Have to Pick Up After Your Dog in Las Vegas?
If you’re walking your dog anywhere in Las Vegas — on a sidewalk, through a park, or even just around your apartment complex — it’s not just polite to clean up after them. It’s the law. Both the City of Las Vegas and Clark County require pet owners to remove and properly dispose of their dog’s waste in public areas. That means if your dog does their business and you keep walking, you could be facing a serious fine. And enforcement is real. While you might get a warning in some cases, don’t count on it, especially if a neighbor or passerby snaps a photo or calls it in.
Fines Start at $250 for Not Cleaning Up Dog Waste
Here’s what you’re looking at if you don’t pick it up: a $250 fine for the first offense. And if it happens again, that number can go up. The city treats it as a public health issue, and with good reason. Dog waste carries harmful bacteria and parasites like E. coli, salmonella, and roundworms, which can stick around long after the mess is gone. It also poses a risk to the local water supply if it washes into storm drains during rain. So even if it feels like “just one time” or “not a big deal,” it adds up, even more sp in neighborhoods where lots of people walk their dogs and expect shared spaces to stay clean.
Always Bring Your Own Bags — Don’t Rely on Dispensers
One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming poop bag dispensers will always be stocked. In reality, they run out constantly, especially in high-traffic areas like dog parks or residential walking paths. The safest move? Always bring your own. Keep a roll attached to your leash or stashed in your pocket. Some pet owners even keep a backup stash in their car or a spare in their bag — just in case. It’s a small habit that saves you from a big fine and keeps the sidewalks, parks, and trails clean for everyone else.
No One Likes the Poop Police — But They Exist
Nobody wants to be that person caught on camera walking away from their dog’s mess. But it happens, and in a city like Las Vegas where neighbors are quick to report issues, it doesn’t take long for your HOA, apartment complex, or local code enforcement to get involved. Some residential communities have even started using security cameras or DNA testing on dog waste to track down repeat offenders. It may sound extreme, but it shows just how seriously the issue is taken here. If you’re new to Vegas, or just visiting with your pup, consider this your heads-up: pick it up, or pay for it later.
