Development Standards for Attached Single-Family Residences in General Commercial (GC) Districts

The General Commercial (GC) district in Reno is designed to facilitate a transition from low-intensity, auto-oriented suburban corridors to a high-density mix of residential, retail, and service-oriented uses [§ 18.02.309(a)]. Building four attached single-family residences in this district is consistent with the intent to support higher-density residential development.

Density and Lot Requirements

Residential development in the GC district must adhere to specific density and lot configuration standards to ensure appropriate urban intensity:

• Maximum Density: 45 dwelling units per acre [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
• Minimum Lot Width: 50 feet [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
• Maximum Height: Buildings may reach a maximum of 65 feet and up to 5 stories [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].

Setbacks and Building Placement

The GC district allows for flexible building placement to encourage an urban streetscape, though specific rules apply when the project is adjacent to residential zones:

• Front Setback: A minimum of 10 feet is required [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
• Side and Rear Setbacks: Generally 0 feet. However, if the property line is immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property, a minimum setback of 10 feet must be maintained [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22, Note 2].
• Alley Access: A zero-foot setback is permitted if the property line abuts an alley, provided there is at least 24 feet of backup space for garage doors or parking spaces [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22, Note 1].
• Building Separation: There must be at least 10 feet between principal buildings [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].

Height and Compatibility Standards

To ensure compatibility with neighboring structures, the zoning code requires specific architectural "stepbacks":

• Standard Stepback: For any portion of the building above 35 feet in height, one foot of additional horizontal stepback is required for every one foot of additional height [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22, Note 3].
• Residential Adjacency Stepback: If the development is adjacent to a Large-Lot (LL) or Single-Family (SF) district, any portion of the building above 24 feet in height requires a 1:1 horizontal stepback for every foot of height over 24 feet [§ 18.04.903(c)(1)].
• Shading: New buildings must conform to requirements regarding the shading of nearby parks and residences [§ 18.04.903(c)(6)].

Design and Articulation

Attached residential projects in the GC district are subject to site and building standards to prevent "blank walls" and promote pedestrian interest:

• Wall Articulation: Street-facing facades must incorporate at least five design elements, and other facades must incorporate at least three. Permitted elements include variations in roof form, building height, projected or recessed massing, wall plane offsets, balconies, or window openings [§ 18.04.903(c)(3)].
• Ground-Level Interest: At least 20% of the horizontal length of the street-facing facade must consist of transparent doors or windows, which must be at least three feet in height [§ 18.04.903(c)(4)].
• Building Orientation: Buildings on sites smaller than two acres must be oriented toward the primary street frontage [§ 18.04.903(a)(4)].

Parking and Garage Standards

• Garage Setbacks: Street-facing garages must be set back at least 20 feet, measured from the sidewalk (or planned sidewalk) to the face of the garage [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
• Driveway Width: Residential driveways are generally limited to a maximum width of 30 feet at the curb cut [§ 18.04.903(a)(3)c].
• Parking Placement: For residential uses, off-street parking is prohibited within the front yard setback unless it is located on a driveway [§ 18.04.903(a)(3)b].