Senior housing

Independent living in Las Vegas: what Nevada law says before you sign

Independent living in Las Vegas means housing with no licensed care. If a place offers it, Nevada law says it must post a notice saying so and put that notice in your agreement (NRS 449.2487(1)). Read that notice first.

Looking for a place for yourself or a parent? These are the questions the law lets you ask, in order.

What "independent living" actually means

It is housing, not care. Nevada law describes it as housing that does not include care or services that need a state license. The notice must tell you the area is for independent living. It must say the place does not directly provide or coordinate services for your scheduled and unscheduled needs. That covers personal care, support services and health-related services (NRS 449.2487(1)(a)).

That is the big difference from assisted living. Assisted living is a licensed place. Independent living is not licensed care, even when it sits inside a building that is.

Before you sign: four steps

1. Ask to see the posted notice. A licensed facility, or a company tied to one, that offers independent living must post the notice where people can see it. The same notice must be in every contract of sale or agreement to occupy (NRS 449.2487(1)). If it is missing from your agreement, ask why.

2. Read what other levels of care exist. The notice must list the other levels of care for people who need personal care or health services. These include residential facilities for groups, intermediate care and skilled nursing. It must describe them in easy language (NRS 449.2487(1)(b)).

3. Plan to re-check. The notice must also urge residents to reassess, on a regular basis, which housing and care fits them best (NRS 449.2487(1)(c)). Needs change. Ask what happens to your lease if yours do.

4. Know who counts as "tied to" the facility. A company is affiliated if it shares ownership, shares management, or gets promotional or marketing support from the facility (NRS 449.2487(3)). The notice rule covers those companies too.

Independent living or assisted living?

Nevada defines a residential facility for groups as a place that gives food, shelter, assistance and limited supervision to a person who is aged or infirm, or who has an intellectual or physical disability. The term includes an assisted living facility (NRS 449.017(1)). That kind of place must be licensed (NRS 449.0045(3), 449.030).

Question	What the law says	Source
Is independent living licensed care?	No. It is housing that does not include care needing a license, and the notice must say so	NRS 449.2487(1)
Must assisted living be licensed?	Yes. A residential facility for groups needs a license, and the term includes assisted living	NRS 449.017(1), 449.030
What must assisted living tell you before move-in?	A full written disclosure of what personalized care is available and the amount charged for it throughout your stay	NRS 449.0302(7)(a)
Do you get your own unit?	Residents live in their own units with a toilet and a sleeping area. You share only if both occupants agree. A limited exception exists for some older, small homes	NRS 449.0302(7)(b), (8)

Checked on November 11, 2026 against the Nevada Revised Statutes, chapter 449 (Medical Facilities and Other Related Entities), revision stamped September 9, 2026. Chapter 449 is long. The sections above are the ones cited, so read each in full before you rely on it.

If a referral service is helping you

Many families find a place through a "senior living community referral agency." Nevada defines it as a person who refers older people to senior living communities for a fee. The fee can be paid by the community, the older person or their representative (NRS 449.0181). A senior living community is a broad term. It includes assisted living, nursing, retirement homes and any group housing for older people that offers help, food, shelter or limited supervision (NRS 449.0179).

Before the agency refers you, it must give you a clear statement. It can be oral if it is recorded. It must list the services it provides, its contact information and its website. It must also say who pays the referral fee, and how much if you pay it (NRS 449.114(1)). It must get your written or recorded consent. It must keep that record for at least 3 years, and give you a written copy on request (NRS 449.114(1)(b), (2), (3)).

What a referral agency may not do. It may not send you to a community it, or its executives or their close family, own or manage, unless you give written permission first. It may not refer you if it holds your power of attorney or your property. It may not refer you to an unlicensed community, or to one that cannot adequately care for you. It may not take pay from a community without a written contract (NRS 449.1145(1), (3)).

What you can make it do. Tell the agency to stop contacting you. It must stop as soon as possible and no later than 10 days later. It must stop referring you within the same 10 days. It must also stop selling your personal information if you ask (NRS 449.1145(2)(c), (d), (e)). Put your request in writing and keep a copy.

Agencies must also register with the state, and every registration lasts 2 years (NRS 449.1135(2)(a)).

What this page cannot tell you

It cannot name a good community. It cannot say what a place costs or whether you qualify for help paying. That is not in the statutes cited here, so it is left out. If money is the problem, call 211 and ask about senior housing and help with care costs.

Programs and help that apply

The notice in your agreement — the one thing the law makes the place put in writing. Highlight the other levels of care it names. Those are your next step if care becomes necessary.

211 — free help finding senior housing and help with costs.

Good to know

Keep three papers in one folder: your agreement, the posted notice, and the referral agency's statement if you got one. If a salesperson says "we have care here" about independent living, ask for it in writing. The notice says the area itself does not directly provide it.

This page explains the statutes. It is not legal advice. For your own situation, check with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, or a lawyer. Call 211 if you need help.