NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO
LAS VEGAS VALLEY WATER DISTRICT SERVICE RULES
OVERVIEW
In accordance with state law, the Las Vegas Valley Water District (District) is providing notice of proposed changes to its Service Rules. A tentative schedule of adoption is below. The proposed changes outlined in this notice are intended to:
- Include the irrigation of nonfunctional turf and any other prohibited water uses as forms of water waste, subject to existing water waste fees, beginning January 1, 2027
- Clarify property owner responsibility for unpaid balances, damage to, and theft of District property by tenants
- Adjust fees to align with actual costs and discourage the misuse of/tampering with District property
- Help ensure accurate and on-time reads for mobile meters
- Improve overall document usability by clarifying terms and requirements, eliminating redundant language, and updating certain provisions to reflect current District practices
PROPOSED CHANGES
Community Pools, Spas And Recreational FacilitiesFor non-single family residential community pools and recreational facilities, pool surface area will be limited to four percent (4%) for the first ten (10) acres or less and four-tenths (0.4%) for the additional total development area that exceeds ten (10) acres. This change is to maintain consistency with other local ordinances.
For resort hotels, an additional 5 square feet will be allowed for each guest room, also consistent with other local ordinances.
Water ParksThe combined surface area of water play areas within recreational water parks will be limited to eight percent (8%) for the first ten (10) acres and less and eight-tenths (0.8%) for the additional total development area that exceeds ten (10) acres.
The total surface area for each water play area cannot exceed thirty thousand (30,000) square feet.
Termination Of Service
Accounts can be terminated without notice for failure to repair ongoing leaks/malfunctions in a timely manner.
Property Owner Responsibility
Metering Requirements for New Development
Residential subdivisions with identified common lots—including internal and perimeter landscape areas—will be required to be separately metered for irrigation.
Construction Water Rates
Construction water rates will change from the third-tier consumption rate to the highest-tier consumption rate.
Hydrant Meter Billing Schedule
Mobile meters will be required to be read monthly so that usage charges can still be collected in the event a meter is lost or damaged.
Meter Purchasing
All applicants will be required to purchase their meter, regardless of size, from the District.
Conservation Restriction Language Revision
Language within the Service Rules has been revised to reflect the difference between drip irrigation and spray irrigation.
Community Recreational Turf Areas (CURTA)
For parks with heavy water use, the District may grant one additional overseeding exemption per year.
Water Waste Inclusions, Including Non-Functional Turf
All non-essential water uses, such as the operation of water features, irrigation of non-functional turf, and installation of new spray irrigation will be treated as water waste violations and assessed water waste fees.
Assembly Bill 356 (AB356), passed in the 81st Session of the Nevada State Legislature, prohibits the use of Colorado River water for irrigating nonfunctional turf beginning January 1, 2027. Accordingly, properties not zoned exclusively for single-family residences that continue to water nonfunctional turf will be subject to the following water waste fees beginning on that date:
| Meter Size | 1st Violation | 2nd Violation | 3rd Violation | 4th Violation | 5th Violation or More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1″ and less | $80 | $160 | $320 | $640 | $1,280 |
| Over 1″ but less than 3″ | $160 | $320 | $640 | $1,280 | $2,560 |
| 3″ and over | $320 | $640 | $1,280 | $2,560 | $5,120 |
Additionally, any other non-essential water uses will be considered water waste and subject to the above fee schedule.
Rates And Fees
The proposed fee changes are intended to cover actual costs and discourage tampering with or damaging District equipment, and are described below:
| FEE/CHARGE | CURRENT AMOUNT | PROPOSED AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Water Rate | Third Tier Consumption Rate | Highest Consumption Rate Tier |
| Fire Hydrant Permit Fee | $90 | $200 |
| LVVWD Fire Hydrant Meter Service Charge | $2 per day | $4 per day |
| Damage to Locked Service (Simple Lock) | $20 | $100 |
| Damage to Locked Service (Specialty Lock) | $100 | $250 |
| Damage to Automated Meter Reading Equipment | $104 | $250 |
| Other Equipment | Actual Cost of Replacement | Actual Cost of Replacement plus $300 |
| Unapproved Reactivation or Tampering Fee | $20 | $100 |
| Restoration of Service After Delinquent Shut-off | $0 | $40 |
Meter Size Updates
5/8-inch meters are no longer issued and will be removed from application fees and facilities connection charges.
Inclusion Of Ultrasonic Meters
Language will be revised to reflect the issuance of ultrasonic meters as opposed to positive displacement meters for new development.
Denial of Water Commitment
A water commitment can be denied if all District infrastructure necessary to deliver water to a development is not in place.
Loss of Certificate of Occupancy
A water commitment may be terminated if the certificate of occupancy is revoked or rendered invalid.
Abandoned Service
The definition of abandoned service is being updated to include the cessation of use of an established service as well as an intent to relinquish use of an established service. Additionally, “abandoned service” will terminate a water commitment.
New Turf Installation
Current Service Rules classify turf irrigation as a non-essential water use for properties that received a certificate of occupancy after April 5, 2022, except for schools, parks, and cemeteries. This update clarifies and aligns the Service Rules with local codes by providing that new turf installation that occurred at a time when it was impermissible under the local code will constitute a non-essential water use.
New Spray Irrigation
Similar to the New Turf Installation section above, this update would align with local code by providing that the installation of new spray irrigation systems that occurred at a time when it was impermissible under the local code will constitute a non-essential water use.
Spray Irrigation in Converted Non-Functional Turf Areas
The revised Service Rules would add a new non-essential water use for spray irrigation in converted landscape areas where non-functional turf has been removed.
Refunds of Prepaid Installation Fees
The proposed rules clarify how prepaid installation fees and deposits are handled when projects are canceled.
Public Bidding of Major Projects
The updated Service Rules would add that the District will publicly bid major projects requiring NDEP permits, and provide an exception in accordance with NRS Chapter 332 for projects in which the developer enters into an oversizing agreement and is entitled to reimbursement.
No Waiver of Immunity
The proposed rules add language to disclaim any waiver of statutory immunities, qualify the District's duty to maintain its facilities, and disclaim the District's ongoing duty to inspect facilities.
Other Changes
The proposed Service Rules also include numerous less-substantive changes, which generally align them with the District's current practices. These changes are summarized in the accompanying document.
The proposed Service Rules also include numerous clarifying and non-substantive changes to improve the usability of the Service Rules, such as changes to ensure consistent use of terms, to reorganize text, to clarify key concepts, and to move substantive terms embedded in definitions into the body of the rules.
TENTATIVE SERVICE RULES ADOPTION SCHEDULE
| November 3, 2026 | District Board Considers Business Impact Statement |
| December 1, 2026 | District holds a Public Hearing on proposed Service Rules changes |
| January 1, 2027 | Service Rules and rates become effective, if approved |
PURPOSE
This notice is being provided to publicly notify potentially affected businesses of the proposed rate changes in order to conform with of NRS 237.030 – 237.150, “Adoption of Rules Affecting Businesses.” With this in mind, there are two questions for potentially affected businesses to consider:
- Will the proposed rate changes impose a direct and significant economic burden upon your business? If you believe these changes will, please be specific as to why a particular charge imposes such a burden.
- Will the proposed rate changes directly restrict the formation, operation or expansion of your business? If you believe these changes will, please be specific as to how and why a particular charge imposes such a burden.
Please review and evaluate how these changes will affect your business in light of the two questions listed. If you believe your business will be affected by the proposed changes, you are invited to respond to this notice with data and arguments. You must provide your response to the Las Vegas Valley Water District no later than 6:00 p.m., October 14, 2026. See contact information below
Las Vegas Valley Water District1001 S. Valley View Boulevard, M/S #760
Las Vegas, NV 89153
Attention: Jordan Bunker
Or, by email to LVVWD-BIS@lvvwd.com
SUMMARY OF OTHER CHANGES
CHAPTER 2 – WATER COMMITMENT
Water Commitment Requirements and Administration- Water Commitment prerequisites and administrative requirements clarified.
- Water Commitment transfer provisions and notification requirements clarified.
- Meters or service connections on vacant lots do not establish a Water Commitment.
- Conditional Water Commitment requirements clarified for new development, redevelopment, expansions, and changes in land use.
- Will-Serve Letter identified as evidence of a Conditional Water Commitment; termination provisions expanded for invalid building permits.
- Final Water Commitment requirements clarified, including construction compliance, documentation, and transfer of facilities to the District.
- Conditional Water Commitment requirements clarified to include approved subdivision, land division, and related jurisdictional approvals.
- Final Water Commitment requirements clarified to include a certificate of occupancy or equivalent evidence of permit close-out.
- Groundwater and water rights transfer provisions clarified.
- Applicable fees and District requirements required for issuance of a Water Commitment.
- Development Review requirements removed to align with current practice.
- Informal consistency review provisions removed to align with current District practices.
CHAPTER 6 – SERVICE CONNECTION
Service Connection Requirements and Customer Responsibilities Clarified- Service connection requirements, customer obligations, and infrastructure standards clarified.
- Requirements for service connections, metering, facility relocation, and backflow prevention updated and clarified.
CHAPTER 7 – CHARGES, FEES, AND DEPOSITS
Delinquent processing fees and references have been deletedCHAPTER 9 – INSTALLATION OF WATER FACILITIES
Water Plan and Development Agreement Requirements- Water Plan submittal requirements updated to align with current District practices.
- Development Agreement termination provisions clarified when construction does not commence within required timeframes.
- Construction completion deadlines, bonding provisions, and District remedies for unfinished work clarified.
- Inspection and rejection criteria clarified to address inability to meet water quality and operational standards.
- Allowable locations for certain main extensions clarified to reflect minimum right-of-way width requirements.