IN THE JUSTICE COURT OF RENO TOWNSHIP
FILED
COUNTY OF WASHOE, STATE OF NEVADA
01 Apr 2020 3:36 pm
IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER OF: Reno Justice Cobrt
RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS DISEASE | ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2020-4
(COVID-19) AND NEVADA SUPREME
COURT ORDER AO-0012
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, Governor Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency
in Nevada in response to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19);
WHEREAS, on March 29, 2020, Governor Sisolak issued Emergenoy Directive 008
staying certain evictions and lockouts;
WHEREAS, the Chief Judge of the Reno Justice Court has the authority pursuant to
NRS 4.157(¢) to make administrative decisions pertaining to the business of the Court;
WHEREAS, the Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court is the administrative head
of the court system pursuant to Nev. Const. Art. 6, Sec, 19; and
WHEREAS, given the severity of the risk posed to the public by COVID-19, pursuant
to the requirements of Emergency Directive 008, and after consultation with Nevada Supreme
Court Chief Justice Kristina Pickering, the Chief Judge of the Reno Justice Court has
determined that alterations to court procedures are necessary for the protection of the
| community.
AND GOOD CAUSE BEING SHOWN,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED effective immediately, the Reno Justice Court shall stay the
consideration of all eviction and foreclosure matters with the exception of the emergency
applications and excluded matters described below.
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EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE MATTERS THAT ARE STAYED
“The Court hereby stays consideration of the following matters:
1, NRS 40.250 Possession After Expiration of Term
2. NRS 40.251 ‘No Cause Evictions
3. NRS 40.253 Evictions for Non-Payment of Rent
4. NRS 40.2516 Breach of Contract
5. NRS40.254 Evictions for Other than Non-Payment of Rent Except Tied to an
Emergency Matter as Set Forth Below
6. NRS40.255 Removal of Persons Holding Over
7. NRS40.300 Writs of Restitution
8. NRS118B.190 Mobile Home Notice of Termination
9. NRS118C.200 Exclusion of Commercial Tenants
Staying consideration of these maiters means that through the end of the stay, the Court
will not accept complaints for summary eviction or unlawful detaines, hold hearings, rule upon,
Cr issue dispositive orders or writs of restitution for the matters listed above, Consistent with
the Governor’s Emergency Ditective and the Supreme Court's stay of Rule 5(d) and (e) of the
Nevada Justice Court Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court will reject any complaints for
summary eviction or unlawful detainer that do not constitute an emergency stemming from
threats by a tenant or resident to public health, criminal activity, or significant damage to
property, as set forth below. The Court interprets Section 4 of Emergency Directive 008 to
require a stay or continuance of any non-emergency matters in progress but not completed as of
March 29, 2020.
Consistent with the Governor's Directive and Guidance, nothing in this Order shall
prevent a tenant who is able to pay all or some of the rent due from paying that rent in a timely
‘manner o7 relieve a tenant of liability for unpaid rent a
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EMERGENCY EVICTION MATTERS TO BE HEARD
During the period of the stay, the Court shall only consider unlawful detainer cases,
| including summary evictions, stemming from threats by a tenant or resident to the public
health, criminal activity, or significant damage to property as set forth in Sections 1 and 5 of
Emergency Directive 008. The Court will not consider an action to be a qualifying emergency
‘unless the complaint or other application sets forth specific facts establishing that it falls within
those sections of Emergency Directive 008. That an individual has tested positive for COVID-
19 or has potentially been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 does not
serve as the basis for establishing that a tenant or a resident seriously endangers the safety of
others, .
‘TENANT MATTERS TO BE HEARD
‘Tenants shall continue to be able to file complaints and motions concerning the status
and conditions of their tenancy. ‘Those include but are not limited to:
1, NRS 118A.242 Motion for Failure to Retum Deposit
2, NRS 118A.390 Complaint for Expedited Relief for Iegal Lockouts
3. NRS 118A.390 Complaint for Failing to Provide Essential Services
4, NRS [18A.310 & 520 Motion Contesting Personal Property Lien
5. NRS 118A.460(3) & Motion to Retrieve Essential Items
NRS 40.253(9)
6. NRS 118C.210 Commercial Tenant Complaint for Reentry
OTHER MATTERS NOT INCLUDED IN STAY
This Order does not otherwise limit or affect proceedings that arc the consequence of a
tenant or occupant’s criminal conduct causing their removal from the premiscs including:
1. NRS 40.412, Retaking of Possession Due to Housebreaking or
Unlawful Occupancy
2. NRS 40.414 Complaints for Forcible Entry or Forcible Detainer 10
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3. NRS 40.416 Verified Complaint for Reentry
4, NRS205.081-082 Unlawful Entry or Occupancy of Vacant Dwelling
COURTHOUSE ACCESS RESTRICTIONS AND FILINGS
The COVID-19 pandemic has led this Court to limit access to the courthouse and
prohibit most in-person filings and appearances. Current information about the building
restrictions and how to file documents by mail, email, or electronically can be obtained by
visiting the Court’s website: www.washoecounty.usiric; by email:
[email protected]; or
by calling: 775-325-6500.
‘This Order takes effect immediately. It replaces and extends any eviction and
foreclosure stay orders currently in effect. It shall continue until the March 12, 2020,
Declaration of Emergency terminates, expires, or Emergency Directive 008 is rescinded by
order of the Govemor or modified or rescinded by a subsequent order, whichever occurs
earlier.
IT I$ SO ORDERED.
Dated this_/ day of April 2020.
Kristink Pickering
Chief Justice
Nevada Supreme Court Reno Justice Court
