Nevada Brothel History (Past and Present)
Nevada Brothels History Page Last Modified on January 15, 2015
Many people assume that prostitution has always been legal in Nevada in the form of numerous brothels scattered throughout the Nevada rural areas. However, this is not the case.
While brothels have operated in Nevada since the mid 1800’s and were regulated and tolerated by local governments they were not the fully legal establishments they are today. Actual legalization didn’t occur until 1971 when an ordinance was passed providing for the licensing of brothels and prostitutes. That same year, in order to suppress red light districts in large urban areas, officials passed a law stating that prostitution is prohibited in cities above a certain population threshold. To this day, prostitution is NOT legal in Clark County, which includes the city of Las Vegas. The nearest legal Nevada brothel to Las Vegas is Sheri’s Ranch in Nye County.
The following Nevada Brothels timeline highlights historical notable events:
- Nevada Brothels Tolerated
Brothels are tolerated and zoned in Nevada, operating in a gray area
of the law but not in a legalized or regulated manner.
- Health Checks
Weekly health checks of all prostitutes is required by law.
- Licensing of Brothels
An ordinance is passed which provides for the licensing of brothels and
prostitutes.
- Mustang Ranch Legalized
Storey County legalizes the Mustang Ranch brothel.
- Law Enacted Prohibiting Urban Brothels
Law is passed prohibiting the legalization of prostitution in counties with
a population above 700,000 so that brothels cannot be legally established
in Las Vegas and Reno.
- Brothels Open for Business in Lyon County
Lyon County legalizes it's brothels.
- Nye County Legalizes Brothels
Nye County, where Sheri’s Ranch is located, legalizes its brothels along with
Churchill, Mineral and several other counties.
- Prohibiting Advertising of Brothels
A state law prohibiting the advertising of brothels in counties which have
outlawed prostitution was enacted.
- Former Madam of Sheri’s Ranch Publishes a Book
Lora Shaner, a former madam of Sheri’s Ranch, publishes a book about her
experiences there: Madam: Chronicles of a Nevada Cathouse later reissued
and extended as Madam: Inside a Nevada Brothel.
- Chuck Lee Purchases Sheri’s Ranch
Chuck Lee purchases Sheri’s Ranch and begins an extensive remodeling of
the property, creating the first and only full service adult sex resort.
- Cathouse Premieres on HBO
Cathouse, a popular documentary and subsequent reality series centered
around the Bunny Ranch, premiers on HBO.
- “Stud Farm” Attempted
Heidi Fleiss attempts to create an establishment that would employ male
prostitutes and cater exclusively to female customers, a first in Nevada.
In 2009 however, she said that she had abandoned her plans to open
such a brothel.
- Brothel Owners Lobby to Be Taxed
Brothel owners lobby to be taxed in order to increase the legitimacy of the
business. While brothels and prostitutes are subject to federal income tax
and local fees,
brothels are exempt from the state entertainment tax and
don't pay any other state taxes.
- Nevada Brothel Hires First Legal Male Prostitute
The Shady Lady Ranch becomes the first brothel to offer a male sex
worker in the southern Nevada bordello’s lineup.
More »
- Federal Court: State has Right to Ban Brothel Advertising
After heated debate and litigation, a federal appeals court rules that
Nevada has the right to ban certain advertisements of legal brothels,
saying it doesn't violate the First Amendment of free speech.
More »
- Reid Calls on Nevada Legislature to Outlaw Legal Brothels
Senator Harry Reid calls to outlaw brothels, saying that they negatively
affect Nevada’s potential to attract big business to the state.
More »
- LinkedIn’s Anti-Prostitution Policy Angers Nevada Brothels
Popular social network LinkedIn bans prostitutes from using the platform,
including legal prostitutes, making prostitution the only legal profession
banned by LinkedIn. More »
- First Legal Nuru Massage Service Opens in a Nevada Brothel
Sheri’s Ranch becomes the first brothel to offer authentic nuru massage,
a coveted sex massage technique that originated in Japan.
- Brothel Owner Helped Seal Nevada's Tesla Deal
Lance Gillman, owner of the Mustang Ranch, was influential in sealing the
multibillion deal for Tesla mega-factory based in Nevada. More »