Stopping and Standing on Las Vegas Strip Pedestrian Bridges

It is a misdemeanor to stop and stand on (or near) any of the Las Vegas Strip’s pedestrian bridges. However, you can still stop briefly to take photos.

Penalties for unlawfully stopping on a Strip pedestrian bridge include up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines. Though for a first-time offense, the judge is unlikely to impose any jail.

In this article, our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys discuss:

• 1. What does the new Strip pedestrian bridge law do?
• 2. Can I still stop and take photos on pedestrian bridges?
• 3. What is the penalty?
• 4. Can the record be sealed?
• 5. Related offenses
• Additional reading

1. What does the new Strip pedestrian bridge law do?

Clark County Code 16.11.030 prohibits you from:

• stopping,
• standing, or
• engaging in an activity that causes another person to stop

on the Las Vegas Strip pedestrian bridges or near escalators, elevators or stairways connected to the bridges.

Prior to 2024, many street performers and vendors set up shop on or near the Strip’s pedestrian bridges, which sometimes caused pedestrian gridlock. The new law is meant to keep foot traffic moving quickly and without hindrances.¹

2. Can I still stop and take photos on pedestrian bridges?

Yes. Clark County Code 16.11.030 is not meant to stop tourists from stopping momentarily to take photos. It is largely meant to deter street performers from loitering on the bridges.²

3. What is the penalty?

Stopping or standing on a Strip pedestrian bridge is a misdemeanor in Clark County, Nevada. Penalties include:

• Up to six months in jail and/or
• Up to $1,000 in fines.

Since this is a minor crime, the police will probably issue a citation rather than place you under arrest. For a first-time offense, judge will probably issue only a fine and no jail time.³

4. Can the record be sealed?

Yes. You can petition the court to seal your conviction one year after the case closes. Though if your case got dismissed (meaning the charge was dropped), then you can petition for a record seal immediately.⁴

5. Related offenses

Eleven common Nevada crimes people walking the Strip should be careful to avoid are:

1. Being under the influence (NRS 453.411) – Being high on a controlled substance, even if you have a prescription for it.
2. Breaching the peace (NRS 203.010) – Willfully disturbing a person, family, or neighborhood by engaging in loud or unusual noises, committing tumultuous and offensive conduct, threatening or quarreling, or fighting or challenging to fight.
3. Jaywalking (NRS 484B.287) – Crossing a street outside of a marked crosswalk.
4. Littering – Depositing trash anywhere outside of a designated garbage receptacle.
5. Loitering – Hanging out in locations where children gather, remaining in a casino if you are under 21, or being in or near public restrooms to solicit sex or break the law.
6. Public nuisance (NRS 202.470) – Threatening the community’s safety, order, or public decency.
7. Smoking marijuana in public (NRS 678D.310) – Consuming marijuana anywhere outside of a residence or licensed cannabis consumption lounge.
8. Solicitation (NRS 201.354) – Offering to engage in prostitution, or agreeing to engage in prostitution.
9. Trespass (NRS 207.200) – Going – or remaining – on property after having been asked to leave.
10. Unlawful assembly (NRS 203.060) – Two or more people gathering together with the intent to commit a crime.
11. Urinating or defecating in public – Going to the bathroom anywhere outside of a restroom, whether or not the public can see.

Jaywalking is an infraction carrying a civil fine. All the other above-mentioned offenses are misdemeanors in Nevada carrying up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines (though a first-time offense of smoking marijuana carries a $600 fine and no jail).

Note that public intoxication (NRS 458.260) is not a crime in Nevada. Plus it is largely legal to walk around with an open container on the Strip, but there are restrictions.

6. Additional reading

For more information about the new pedestrian bridge law, refer to the following news articles:

• New ordinance for Las Vegas Strip pedestrian bridges raises questions about public safety and personal rights – Las Vegas Weekly.
• Nothing to see here: New law prohibits stopping on Las Vegas Strip’s pedestrian bridges – USA Today.
• Think twice before stopping to take photo on a Las Vegas Strip pedestrian bridge, or risk jail time – AP News.
• Las Vegas sends a message to tourists and locals: Hey, I’m walkin’ here – KNPR.
• Ordinance bans stopping on Las Vegas pedestrian bridges – KVVU-TV Fox 5.

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Legal References