Reno, NV General Commercial (GC) Height Standards
In Reno's General Commercial (GC) district, the maximum building height is 65 feet and 5 stories. For any height above 35 feet, a 1:1 ratio of additional step back is required. Additionally, structures over 35 feet must not cast shadows on residential properties or public parks between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on December 21.
In the City of Reno, the General Commercial (GC) zoning district is designed to facilitate a transition from low-intensity auto-oriented uses to higher-density mixed-use environments. To support this transition, the zoning code establishes specific maximums for building height and stories, as well as mandatory setbacks and environmental protections for taller structures.
Maximum Height and Stories
Buildings within the General Commercial (GC) district are subject to the following primary height limitations:
| Standard | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 65 feet [Source 1] |
| Maximum Stories | 5 stories [Source 1] |
Height limits are strictly enforced and are not subject to rounding. If the maximum height is 65 feet, the building cannot exceed 65.00 feet [Section 18.09.209].
Height Measurement Methods
Building height is measured based on the roof type and the underlying terrain [Section 18.09.207]:
- Standard Measurement: Height is measured from the finished floor to the highest point of the coping (for flat roofs), the deck line (for mansard roofs), or the midpoint between the peak and the eave (for pitched roofs).
- Sloping Terrain: For buildings on slopes or with daylight basements, height is calculated from the average finished grade (the average distance between the high and low points of the grade) to the midpoint of the roof.
- Basements: Underground crawl spaces and basements are excluded from height calculations only if they are located completely below ground level.
Mandatory Step Backs
While the maximum height is 65 feet, buildings that exceed 35 feet are subject to increased setback requirements to mitigate their visual impact. For every one foot of height added above 35 feet, the structure must provide one foot of additional step back [Section 18.02.309, Table 2-22, Note 3].
Environmental Restrictions and Shading
Tall structures in the GC district must adhere to shading standards to protect neighboring properties and public spaces [Section 18.04.101]:
- Residential Adjacency: Structures exceeding 35 feet in height cannot cast a shadow on residentially zoned property between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on December 21.
- Public Parks and Plazas: No structure is permitted to cast a shadow on public parks or plazas during the same winter solstice window (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on December 21).
Exclusions from Height Limits
Certain architectural and functional features are not counted toward the maximum height limit [Section 18.09.207]:
- Architectural Features: Church spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, chimneys, flues, and flagpoles.
- Utility Structures: Water towers, radio towers, and similar structures (provided they are not deemed a hazard).
- Parapets: Parapet walls that extend four feet or less above the building's limiting height.
- Roof Structures: Bulkheads, elevator towers, one-story penthouses, and water tanks, provided they are not used for living space and their total area does not exceed 25 percent of the total roof area.