he purpose of the Code Enforcement office is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Churchill County and to promote the maintenance of property, buildings and premises to enhance the livability, community appearance and the safe, social and economic conditions of the community. Churchill County Code Enforcement office is a section within the Planning Department. The office handles complaints on zoning violations, health and safety codes and business license violations. Any person who owns property or resides in Churchill County may file a written complaint with the Code Enforcement office. Zoning Violation complaint forms are available in the Planning Department or they can be down loaded from this site. We must receive a written complaint in order for the Code Enforcement Officer to act on the complaint.

The goal of the Code Enforcement office is to educate the citizens of Churchill County so that there is an understanding of the codes that may affect their lives. The Code Enforcement office strives to gain voluntary compliance through the education of the citizens on the zoning, health and safety codes.

Illegal dumping on public lands has become a major concern of the residents of Churchill County. The Code Enforcement office is working with residents and volunteer groups to identify illegal dumpsites, identifying the person(s) involved in illegal dumping, and to have the illegal dumpsites cleaned up.
Title 8 Chapter 8.04.010 of the Churchill County Code states "It is unlawful to place, deposit or dump, or cause to be placed, deposited or dumped, any garbage, cans, bottles, papers, refuse, trash or rubbish on any public or private road or on any public or privately owned land."

Churchill County is fortunate to have an abundance of public lands for the enjoyment of all residents. Dumping on public lands has diminished this enjoyment. However, with community cooperation, we hope to clean up many of the dumpsites so all the residents of and visitors to Churchill County can enjoy the land. With community cooperation we hope to keep Churchill County a safe, economically vibrant and livable community.

The following are descriptions of complaints we most often receive:

• Storage of inoperable vehicles – The Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 40 and 244 define a nuisance and nuisance activity. A nuisance complaint may be filed with the Board of County Commissioners.

• Mobile homes used as storage sheds – In Churchill County mobile homes cannot be used as storage sheds, show rooms or for any other purpose for which they are not designed.

• Junkyards / Scrapyard – Is an establishment or place of business which is maintained, operated, or used for storing, keeping, processing, buying or selling junk, or the maintenance or operation of an automobile graveyard or scrap metal processing facility.

• Illegal landfills – As noted above Title 8 Chapter 8.04.010 makes it a misdemeanor to place, deposit or dump, or cause to be placed, deposited or dumped any garbage, cans, bottles, papers, refuse, trash or rubbish. This includes making an open pit to place scrap building materials, trash, garbage and rubbish to burn and bury. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Solid Waste Branch states the above is a violation of their regulations.

• Illegal dumping on public lands – The BLM, BOR and Churchill County have joined forces to deal with the major problem of illegal dumping on public lands. There are civil penalties such as a fine of $500.00 to $5,000.00 dollars and 40 hours of community service cleaning up dump sites. There are criminal penalties such as a maximum fine of $1,000.00 and/or up to six months in the county jail. It is important to note that each and everyday a dump site exists is a separate offence and the civil and criminal penalties apply for each day.