News Summary
A new law in Nevada permits construction work to start as early as 5 a.m. from April to September to enhance worker safety amid rising summer temperatures. This legislation, known as Assembly Bill 478, received unanimous support and aims to minimize noise for residents near construction sites. Moreover, the law focuses on addressing increased heat-related incidents, with statistics showing 526 deaths reported in recent years. The city also updated regulations to accommodate construction needs while balancing community concerns, reflecting a dedication to both worker safety and residential quality of life.
LAS VEGAS – A new law in Nevada permits construction work to commence as early as 5 a.m. starting from April 1st to September 30th, addressing the need for protective measures against extreme heat for workers. This legislation, known as Assembly Bill 478, was signed into law by the governor last month and received unanimous approval from both the Nevada Assembly and Senate.
The law specifically applies to construction sites that are located a minimum of 300 feet away from occupied homes. This provision aims to minimize noise disturbances for nearby residents while allowing construction companies to adapt to rising summer temperatures, which has led to increasing concerns regarding worker safety.
Construction activities in the Las Vegas Valley recently sparked controversy and noise complaints from local residents, who reported disturbances as early as 6:30 a.m., when work began at 5 a.m. on a significant project near Lake Las Vegas. The early starting time has been a source of frustration for residents who value peace and quiet in the mornings.
The urgency for this law has been heightened by alarming statistics from 2024, which reported 526 heat-related deaths in Clark County. In response to the rising number of heat incidents, Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has started enforcing new heat protection standards for outdoor workers beginning in April 2023. These precautions are designed to mitigate the dangers associated with extreme temperature exposure during construction activities.
In addition to Assembly Bill 478, the situation regarding noise in developing Homeowners’ Association (HOA) communities has further evolved with the approval of Assembly Bill 189 in 2023. This law permits construction work in still-developing HOA neighborhoods to start at 5 a.m. from April to September, with a stipulation that only applies to communities not yet transferred to associations.
In terms of local governance, the City Council has also approved a regulation that allows construction noise from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. in under-construction neighborhoods, facilitating the progress of housing developments while attempting to accommodate resident concerns.
There have been ongoing issues with nighttime construction noise, prompting citizen complaints that led to adjustments in permits that restricted work to daytime hours. Residents like Jeff McIntosh have raised numerous complaints regarding heavy machinery operating at night near their homes, which garnered media attention and subsequently helped to change the permitted work hours.
In a different case, Tilson Tech received temporary approval for nighttime operations to install high-speed internet, which was necessitated by high traffic and lane closures. However, local residents expressed discontent over the lack of communication regarding these nighttime activities, highlighting that consultation with the community was inadequate and led to dissatisfaction among neighbors affected by the noise.
As a result of community feedback, it was reported that construction hours were adjusted to operate only from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in response to citizen complaints and media scrutiny. Tilson Tech stated their commitment to transparency within the community and acknowledged the disruptions caused by construction upon the daily routines of residents.
The changes in construction regulations and hours reflect a growing awareness of both worker safety amid extreme weather conditions and the need to maintain a reasonable quality of life for residents living in proximity to construction sites. As Nevada’s climate continues to warm, these legislative measures may play a vital role in balancing development needs with community concerns.
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Additional Resources
- Las Vegas Review-Journal
- Wikipedia: Construction
- KTNV News
- Google Search: construction noise ordinance Las Vegas
- Bloomberg
- Encyclopedia Britannica: construction site
- 963 KKLV
- Google News: loudest states Nevada
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
