Jackie Flores is an Airbnb host in Las Vegas and the founder of the Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association. She is one of a group of property owners in Clark County, Nevada, who have filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the county and state’s ability to enforce restrictions on providing short-term rentals to visitors. Airbnb has joined the lawsuit.
Clark County’s short-term rental ordinance and Nevada Assembly Bill 363 created a 2,500-foot no short-term rental buffer zone for resort hotels, a lottery-based permit system that requires hosts to register as business owners, and caps on the number of permits allowed. Clark County has primarily cited a loss of tax revenue from unreported rentals as a reason to impose restrictions.
Being an Airbnb host in Las Vegas has helped me afford a house and make ends meet during some of my most challenging times.
I now make enough through renting out rooms to cover my mortgage and other bills related to my house.
And when tourism dollars are spread around the community instead of being concentrated in a few resorts, travelers are able to enjoy a more affordable and authentic Las Vegas experience.
Now, more than 15 years into being a host in Las Vegas, I am fighting a tourism downturn and local regulations that could ban me from renting out my rooms.
Airbnb helped me become a homeowner
It was 2008, and my business had to shut down during the real estate crash, and I needed another way to make ends meet. It also just so happens that my roommate decided to move to another state, leaving the entire three-bedroom apartment to me.
Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you.
What is your job title?
(1 of 2)
What products or services can you approve for purchase in your role?
(2 of 2)
this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising.
By continuing you agree that you accept the
Terms of Service
and
Privacy Policy
.
Thanks for sharing insights about your role.
At first, I worried about having strangers in my home. But guests were respectful, and what started as a short-term fix became so much more.
Before, I always feared losing my job or having another life emergency, but knowing that this is an extra income stream gave me the confidence to finally buy a house, knowing that renting out rooms could cover my mortgage.
I got to put down roots in Las Vegas and furnished the home with the money I have saved by hosting at my previous place. The house was transformed from being completely empty with nothing in the yard, to a place where people loved to stay.
Now, my six-bedroom house is just 10 to 15 minutes south of the Strip in Clark County, where most residents in the area live. It has a pool in the yard, barbecue space, outdoor seating, and a game room for travelers to enjoy when they want more space and comfort than they would get in a hotel room.
Las Vegas is battling rising costs
Over the years, Las Vegas has gotten more expensive, especially for visitors. Even locals avoid the Strip now because of how high the prices have gotten.
I recently celebrated my birthday at a resort with some friends, and for just two nights, we spent about $1,200 on a single hotel room. Drinks were $20 each at the lounge, and meals were equally pricey.
That’s why so many travelers are looking for alternatives. At my house, a group can stay for $500 a night, which is around $1,000 for a weekend. That’s for an entire home, not just one room. If guests want just a couple of rooms, the price drops even more. For families or groups, it’s a much better deal.
To fight the tourism decline, I have been working to collaborate with small businesses in my neighborhood.
Guests who stay at my place don’t just spend money with me — they go to local restaurants, markets, and shops. I’m partnering with these businesses to create incentives, like discounts and special offers, so travelers feel like they’re getting more value out of their stay.
I’m fighting short-term rental restrictions
When visitors come, it boosts everyone, not just me.
That’s why I’m currently fighting Clark County’s short-term rental restrictions that would remove our Airbnb listings if we don’t go through a complicated process to obtain a special license.
By renovating and cleaning my place to ensure that guests are able to relax, I’m also creating jobs for local cleaners, contractors, and people transporting the guests.
I’m now going through hearings for an injunctive order to block the short-term rental restrictions, but I’m trying not to let the lawsuit be my only focus. For me, it’s also about finding ways to keep tourism alive in Las Vegas. I keep my prices reasonable, I work with other small businesses, and I make sure guests feel welcome in a city that has become less affordable for so many.
Clark County told Business Insider in a statement that it cannot comment on an ongoing litigation at the moment.
