Residential Development Standards in the General Commercial (GC) District
Residential projects in Reno's GC district are limited to a maximum density of 45 units per acre and a 65-foot height limit (5 stories). Minimum lot width is 50 feet, with a 10-foot front setback and 0-foot side/rear setbacks. If adjacent to residential zones, side and rear setbacks must be at least 10 feet, and buildings over 35 feet require a 1:1 height-to-stepback ratio.
In Reno, Nevada, the General Commercial (GC) zoning district is designed to manage established auto-oriented corridors while transitioning them into a mix of higher-density residential, retail, and service-oriented uses [§ 18.02.309(a)]. Residential development within this district must adhere to specific dimensional, density, and site design standards.
Lot and Building Standards
Residential projects in the GC district are subject to the following base dimensional requirements:
- Maximum Density: 45 dwelling units per acre [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
- Minimum Lot Width: 50 feet [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
- Floor Area Ratio (FAR): No minimum or maximum FAR is specified for this district.
- Maximum Building Height: 65 feet and 5 stories [§ 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
Setback Requirements
Setbacks in the GC district are designed to accommodate urban density while providing buffers for adjacent residential zones.
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front | 10 feet [1] |
| Side | 0 feet [1][2] |
| Rear | 0 feet [1][2] |
| Street-Facing Garage | 20 feet (measured from sidewalk or planned sidewalk to garage face) |
| Building Separation | 10 feet (between principal buildings) |
Notes on Setbacks:
- Alley Access: A 0-foot setback is permitted if the property line abuts an alley and at least 24 feet of backup space (including the alley) is provided for garage doors or parking spaces [§ 18.02.309, Note 1].
- Residential Adjacency: If a building is located immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property, the minimum side and rear setbacks increase to 10 feet [§ 18.02.309, Note 2].
Height and Compatibility Stepbacks
The GC district employs "stepbacks" to mitigate the visual impact of taller buildings.
- Standard GC Stepback: For any building in the GC district, one foot of additional horizontal stepback is required for every one foot of height exceeding 35 feet [§ 18.02.309, Note 3].
- Residential Compatibility Stepbacks: If a new building is adjacent to properties zoned LL, SF, MF-14, or MD-PD, or adjacent to a mobile home park, more restrictive standards apply:
- 24-Foot Trigger: Any portion of a building above 24 feet in height must provide a 1:1 building height-to-stepback ratio [§ 18.04.903(c)(1)].
- Distance Limits: Within 75 feet of these residential districts, the building height cannot exceed 60 feet. Between 75 and 150 feet, the height cannot exceed 100 feet [§ 18.04.903(c)(2)].
Parking and Access
Parking for residential uses in commercial districts must follow general site layout standards:
- Front Yard Restrictions: Off-street parking is prohibited within the front yard setback. An exception is made for driveways serving single-family, duplex, or triplex residences [§ 18.04.903(a)(3)(b)].
- Frontage Limitations: For residential developments other than single-family/triplexes, parking located between the living areas and the street frontage must be limited to no more than 50 percent of the total street frontage [§ 18.04.903(a)(3)(d)].
- Driveway Width: Residential driveways are generally limited to a 30-foot width at the curb cut [§ 18.04.903(a)(3)(c)].
Building Orientation and Design
- Orientation: New buildings on sites less than two acres must be oriented toward the primary street frontage. Sites larger than two acres must also provide direct pedestrian access from the primary street to all buildings [§ 18.04.903(a)(4)].
- Wall Articulation: Blank walls are prohibited. Exterior facades must use at least five design elements (such as window openings, balconies, or variations in roof form) for most residential developments, while duplexes/small single-family homes require two to four elements [§ 18.04.903(c)(3)].
- Ground-Level Interest: Street-facing facades must feature transparent doors or windows at least three feet in height along at least 20 percent of the horizontal length of the ground floor [§ 18.04.903(c)(4)].