Parking Requirements for Reno General Commercial (GC) Zoning

The General Commercial (GC) district in Reno, Nevada, is an urban zoning district intended to support auto-oriented uses while transitioning suburban corridors into higher-density mixed-use environments [§ 18.02.309(a)]. Under the city's parking hierarchy, the GC district is classified as a Level 2 Parking District [§ 18.04.705(a)(1)c].

Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements

The amount of required parking is determined by the specific land use and is calculated based on the gross floor area of the building [§ 18.04.704(a)].

Common Commercial and Residential Uses

For properties in the GC district (Level 2), the following minimum standards apply:

Use Type	Level 2 Parking Requirement (Minimum)
General Retail (< 10,000 sq. ft.)	1 per 220 sq. ft.
General Retail (10,000+ sq. ft.)	1 per 250 sq. ft.
Restaurant / Bar / Bakery	1 per 200 sq. ft.
General Office / Laboratory	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Medical Facility (Day Use)	1 per 400 sq. ft.
Multi-family Dwelling	1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (Max 2 per unit)
Hotel / Motel	0.72 per guest room, plus parking for other uses
Bank / Financial Institution	1 per 400 sq. ft.

[Table 4-6; § 18.04.705]

Adjustments and Calculations

• Proximity Reductions: Properties in the GC district located within 600 feet of Downtown or Level 1 parking districts may provide parking at an average of the Level 2 minimum and the adjacent district's minimum [§ 18.04.705(a)(1)c.2].
• Rounding: When calculations result in a fractional number, total parking is rounded according to standard code procedures [§ 18.04.704(b)].
• Unlisted Uses: For uses not specifically listed in the parking table, the Administrator determines requirements based on similar uses or a parking demand study [§ 18.04.704(c)].

Bicycle Parking Requirements

The GC district requires bicycle parking facilities to be provided on-site, typically located within a building or under a shelter structure [§ 18.04.705(c)(3)].

Use Category	Level 2 Bicycle Parking Requirement
Multi-family Residential	1 per unit
Commercial (General)	1 per 1,000 sf (up to 6,000 sf), plus 1 per 10,000 sf of additional area
Lodging	1 per 8 guest rooms
Education / Healthcare	1 per 1,000 sq. ft.

[Table 4-8; § 18.04.705(c)]

Accessible Parking Standards

Accessible parking spaces count toward the total minimum parking requirement and must be located within 100 feet of the building entrance [§ 18.04.705(b)].

• Quantity: 1 space is required for lots with 1–25 total spaces; 2 spaces for 26–50; 3 spaces for 51–75; and 4 spaces for 76–100 [§ 18.04.705(b)(3)].
• Medical Facilities: Outpatient physical therapy facilities or centers specializing in mobility impairments must provide accessible parking equal to at least 20% of the total provided spaces [§ 18.04.705(b)(3)b].
• Van Accessibility: One in every six accessible spaces must be van-accessible [§ 18.04.705(b)(3)c].

Layout and Design Specifications

Stall and Aisle Dimensions

Standard 90-degree parking stalls must meet the following minimum dimensions:

• Stall Width: 9 feet.
• Stall Depth (Vehicle Projection): 19 feet.
• Aisle Width: 24 feet (for two-way traffic).

[Table 4-10; § 18.04.707(c)]

Design Rules

• Compact Spaces: Up to 25% of the total required parking spaces may be sized for compact cars (8 feet by 16 feet) and must be clearly marked [§ 18.04.707(c)(2)].
• Construction: All parking areas must be paved with asphaltic concrete or Portland concrete. Alternate materials like pavers require an engineering study and Administrator approval [§ 18.04.707(f)].
• Landscaping: Surface lots providing more than 150% of the required parking must provide an additional 10 square feet of landscape area for each space in excess of that limit [§ 18.04.707(d)(3)].
• Wheel Stops: Required adjacent to landscaped areas unless a two-foot vehicle overhang is provided over a sidewalk or landscape strip at least six feet wide [§ 18.04.707(c)(3)].