S
outhern Nevada's three largest municipalities are streamlining their land-use planning and development processes in response to the private sector's plea for faster turnarounds on residential and commercial projects.

    Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Las Vegas have made changes to their entitlement process to reduce red tape. Real estate stakeholders point to the Bureau of Land Management as a major hurdle, controlling 88% of Clark County and slow to release land, in addition to municipal delays.

    In Henderson, the timeline for projects before the Planning Commission has been cut down to about seven weeks, with city council approval taking around 10-11 weeks. The city's efficiency has contributed to its ranking as the fourth-fastest-growing city in the country, according to a recent Axios study.

    The city of Las Vegas has also sped up its review process, averaging three days for residential projects and six days for commercial ones from January to November this year. Of 2,294 permits approved so far, 2,072 were processed within three days.

    In North Las Vegas, the city aims to work at the speed of business, not the public sector. Director Alfredo Melesio said applicants can expect a yes or no answer within 60-90 days after applying, although special use permits may require board approval and take longer. This faster process is beneficial for those with loans or contingent contracts, allowing them to make decisions without carrying costs.

    The cities' efforts are aimed at supporting the private sector's need for quicker turnarounds on development projects.