Get All Access for $5/mo

New Law Will Change the Way Tourists Can Walk the Las Vegas Strip The ordinance was passed in Clark County Court on Tuesday.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The Las Vegas Strip is changing as we know it.

A new ordinance was approved this week that will make stopping on the pedestrian bridges on the Strip a misdemeanor crime.

"The Pedestrian Flow Zone ordinance will help to ensure our world-class tourism destination remains a safe place for people to visit and transverse," Clark County officials said in a statement. "Through this ordinance, to maintain the safe and continuous movement of pedestrian traffic, it is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or engage in an activity that causes another person to stop or stand within any Pedestrian Flow Zone."

People walk along the pedestrian bridge between the New York-New York and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Related: Las Vegas Storms Flood Strip, Cause Casino Leaks and Damage

Pedestrians will still be able to quickly stop and take photos or pause for a moment but the purpose of the ordinance is to stop people from congregating for long periods in those areas, which is meant to help curb crime and increase safety.

Authorities noted that heavy congestion on the bridges can cause trouble for first responders in the event of a criminal offense or emergency.

Those who violate the new law will face a misdemeanor charge and up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine, though it is noted that a citation or warning will be issued first.

Street performers, who have become a lively part of the strip, are still allowed to continue their acts on street-level walkways but must be in motion on the bridges.

Related: The Sphere Is Las Vegas' New High-Tech Concert Venue

"It's essential to us that we provide the tools to the police department to be able to do what needs to be done in the rare occasion that someone is going to object, or someone is going to refuse to abide by an ordinance that is a lawful ordinance," said Clark County Commissioner James Gibson.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Living

70% of Small Business Owners Experience Monthly Burnout. Follow These 3 Rules to Avoid the Same Fate.

Here are three guidelines to help entrepreneurs achieve balance, growth and success in both their professional and personal endeavors.

Side Hustle

At Age 15, He Used Facebook Marketplace to Start a Side Hustle — Then It Became Something Much Bigger: 'Raised Over $1.6 Million'

Dylan Zajac, now a 21-year-old senior at Babson College, wanted to bridge the digital divide.

Franchise

Kick-Start Your Small Business With These Cost Effective Strategies

Starting a small business is an exciting adventure, brimming with both opportunities and challenges. A key to success is effectively managing costs from the outset.