Reno Ground Floor Glazing and Transparency Standards

Ground floor glazing and transparency requirements in Reno are primarily dictated by the type of development and the specific zoning district. These standards are designed to ensure pedestrian-friendly environments, enhance safety through visibility, and reduce the visual bulk of large buildings.

Large Retail Establishments

Buildings defined as single-tenant structures with at least 50,000 square feet of gross floor area for retailing, or expansions creating such a building, must adhere to specific transparency and articulation standards [§ 18.04.1006(b)].

Minimum Transparency Requirements

For these large-scale developments, the following glazing standards apply to the ground floor:

• Public Streets and Principal Entrances: A minimum of 60 percent of any ground floor facade located between two feet and ten feet above grade must consist of windows. These windows must allow for window shopping, providing views into interior merchandise displays or customer service areas [§ 18.04.1006(f)(2)b.1].
• Parking Lot Facades: Facades that face parking lots must be comprised of at least 25 percent windows [§ 18.04.1006(f)(2)b.1].
• Small Stores within Large Establishments: If a large retail building contains separate commercial establishments (under 25,000 square feet) with their own entrances, the street-level facade must be transparent between three feet and eight feet above the walkway grade for at least 60 percent of the horizontal length of the facade [§ 18.04.1006(f)(2)c.1].

Wall Articulation and Features

In addition to transparency percentages, ground floor building facades facing public streets must include features such as display windows, entry areas, arcades, or awnings along at least 60 percent of their horizontal length [§ 18.04.1006(f)(1)b.2].

False Windows

If the building's use makes actual doors and windows unfeasible on side or rear walls facing walkways, the code requires the use of "false windows." These may consist of glazing or patterns defined by frames, sills, and lintels to subdivide the wall into human-scale proportions [§ 18.04.1006(f)(2)b.2].

Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk (MD-RD) District

Developments within the MD-RD district are subject to "blank wall limitations" which mandate minimum percentages of the building wall be devoted to transparent elements or pedestrian entrances.

High-Intensity Frontages (66% Requirement)

At least 66 percent of the width of a new or reconstructed first-story building wall must be devoted to display windows, pedestrian entrances, or windows providing views into retail, office, restaurant, or lobby space along the following frontages [§ 18.04.1004(c)(5)b.1]:

• North and South Esplanade (between Arlington Avenue and Lake Street).
• Sierra Street (north of the Truckee River).
• Virginia Street (from I-80 to California Avenue).
• Center Street (north of the Truckee River).
• Fourth Street (from Keystone Avenue to Wells Avenue).

General Street Frontages (50% Requirement)

On street frontages not listed above within the district, at least 50 percent of the width of the first-story building wall must be devoted to windows, pedestrian entrances, public art, or similar architectural features [§ 18.04.1004(c)(5)b.2].

Exemptions

Historically designated buildings are exempt from these blank wall/glazing limitations in the Downtown Riverwalk District [§ 18.04.1004(c)(5)b.1[f]].

Material and Design Quality

Where glazing is used for transparency, it is intended to provide a pedestrian-friendly environment and enhance safety by allowing visibility between building interiors and on-site walkways or parking areas [§ 18.04.1006(f)(2)a]. In large retail developments, windows used at the principal customer entrance must be part of a design that includes at least two specific elements, such as clerestory windows or windows flanking the main entrance door [§ 18.04.1006(f)(4)e].