Reno General Commercial (GC) Zoning Regulations
The GC (General Commercial) district in Reno allows a maximum density of 45 units per acre and a height limit of 65 feet (5 stories). It requires a 10-foot front setback and a 0-foot side/rear setback, which increases to 10 feet if the property is adjacent to a residential zone. Buildings over 35 feet high must include a 1:1 foot step-back for all height exceeding that limit.
The General Commercial (GC) district is a base zoning district within the "Urban Districts" classification of Reno. It is designed to bridge the gap between established low-intensity, auto-oriented commercial uses and the city's long-term goal of transitioning suburban corridors into higher-density, mixed-use environments [Section 18.02.108; Section 18.02.309].
Purpose and Intent
The primary intent of the GC district is to support a mix of residential, retail, commercial, employment, and service-oriented uses. It specifically targets suburban corridors, encouraging a gradual shift from traditional auto-centric development to higher-density residential and commercial integration [Section 18.02.309(a)].
Lot and Building Standards
Development within the GC district must adhere to specific dimensional requirements regarding lot size, density, and building placement.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 ft |
| Maximum Density | 45 dwelling units (du) per acre |
| Maximum Height | 65 ft |
| Maximum Stories | 5 stories |
| Minimum Building Separation | 10 ft between principal buildings |
[Section 18.02.309, Table 2-22]
Setback Requirements
The GC district utilizes flexible setbacks to encourage urban-style development while maintaining buffers for residential areas.
- Front Setback: A minimum of 10 feet is required [Section 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
- Side and Rear Setbacks: Generally, a 0-foot setback is permitted. However, two major exceptions apply:
- Residential Adjacency: If the building is located immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property, the minimum setback increases to 10 feet [Section 18.02.309, Table 2-22, Note 2].
- Alley Access: A 0-foot setback is allowed when abutting an alley, provided there is at least 24 feet of backup space (including the alley width) for garage doors or parking spaces [Section 18.02.309, Table 2-22, Note 1].
- Street-Facing Garages: Must be set back 20 feet, measured from the sidewalk (or planned sidewalk) to the face of the garage [Section 18.02.309, Table 2-22].
Height and Step-Back Regulations
While the maximum height is capped at 65 feet or 5 stories, the code enforces a "step-back" rule to manage building massing. For every one foot of height above 35 feet, the building must provide an additional one foot of step-back from the property line [Section 18.02.309, Table 2-22, Note 3].
District Conversion and Classification
The GC district was established as part of a zoning code update to consolidate several former zoning designations.
Former Designations
The GC district currently encompasses land previously classified under the following districts:
- AC (Arterial Commercial)
- CC (Community Commercial)
- HC (Hotel-Casino)
[Section 18.02.109, Table 2-3]
Annexation Classification
When land is annexed into the city and does not have a prior city zoning designation, it is assigned GC zoning if its Washoe County Comprehensive Plan designation is "Commercial" and its specific county zoning is "GC" (General Commercial) or "NC" (Neighborhood Commercial) [Section 18.02.105, Table 2-1].
Relationship to Overlay Districts
GC zoning acts as the "base" zoning. If a property is also located within an Overlay District (such as an Airport Flight Path or Historic Landmark overlay), the standards of the overlay district take precedence in the event of a conflict. If multiple overlays apply, the most restrictive standard governs [Section 18.02.101(a)(3); Section 18.02.601(c)].