Henderson changes liquor fees, licensing

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003 | 9:30 a.m.

Higher liquor license fees and revised regulations for businesses selling alcohol in Henderson were approved Tuesday by the City Council.

The changes to the city's liquor licensing regulations include the creation of an origination fee, a one-time fee charged to businesses when they first receive a liquor license. The origination fee will range from $500 for nonprofit clubs to $90,000 for casinos.

Annual license renewal fees were also increased. For example, nonprofit clubs, which had paid $240 a year for a liquor license, will now pay $400 a year. Casinos that were paying $1,700 a year in liquor license renewal fees will now pay $3,000 annually.

Establishing an origination fee and increasing the annual fees is intended to bring Henderson's fees "more in line with what's elsewhere in the valley," David Lee, city administrator of licensing, said.

Lee said Las Vegas and North Las Vegas charge origination fees.

The revised law also changes the limitations on the number of taverns within Henderson. Previously the number of taverns allowed in the city was limited to one tavern license per 8,000 residents. The new regulations remove the numeric limitation, and replace it with restrictions on how close a tavern is allowed to be to a church, school, day care facility or residences.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the revised liquor license regulations. Mayor James Gibson was absent.

Scott Nielson, executive vice president and chief legal officer for Station Casinos, said his office worked closely with the city on the new regulations.

Nielson said the company, which owns all or part of four casinos in Henderson, was not concerned about the higher fees. Instead, he said, Station officials wanted to make sure the new regulations would adequately protect against an influx of new taverns.