LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Clark County Commission adopted a new scrap metal ordinance Tuesday in an effort to combat copper wire thefts across the Las Vegas valley.
Commissioner Michael Naft proposed the ordinance that prohibits the purchase of seven-strand copper wire, commonly used in municipal or utility operations, unless sellers provide documentation that verifies the wire was lawfully acquired.
The ordinance also makes it illegal for businesses to purchase scrap metal from walk-up sellers and prohibits cash payments for copper wire. The ordinance aligns county code with existing state law and ordinances adopted by neighboring jurisdictions to discourage wire theft.
“This ordinance is an important tool in our efforts to crack down on the widespread problem of copper wire theft that is leaving our neighborhoods in the dark and costing taxpayers a fortune,” Naft said. “If you can’t sell stolen wire, there’s no reason to steal it. I want to thank our industry and community partners for working with us to strengthen our local ordinances to deal with costly crime.”
The Clark County Public Works Department estimated that nearly 1 million feet of streetlight wiring has been stolen since 2022, costing more than $1.5 million to replace.
Other efforts Clark County has made to combat wire theft include welding shut access covers, installing lock covers, installing wiring overhead instead of underground to make access more difficult, and installing aluminum wiring instead of copper because it has less value and may be less of a target for theft.
The City of Las Vegas also passed an ordinance in early September making it unlawful to purchase scrap metal without proper documentation.
