Reno Residential Tree and Landscaping Requirements

In Reno, NV, tree planting and landscaping are mandatory for all new residential developments to enhance community aesthetics, mitigate urban heat, and provide environmental benefits like stormwater management and dust reduction [§ 18.04.801].

General Landscaping Requirements

The minimum portion of a residential site that must be permanently landscaped depends on the specific housing type:

• Single-Family (Detached/Attached) and Duplexes: The required front yard must be entirely landscaped (excluding driveways and sidewalks) within one year of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy [§ 18.04.804(c)(1)a].
• Multi-Family and Other Residential Uses: At least 20 percent of the total site must be permanently landscaped [§ 18.04.804(c)(1)b].
• Landscape Parkways: Residential developments must generally provide a minimum five-foot-wide landscaped parkway between the back of the curb and the sidewalk [§ 18.04.903(a)(2)b].

Street Tree Standards

Street trees are required for all residential developments to provide shade for sidewalks and paved surfaces [§ 18.04.804(b)].

Tree Quantity and Spacing

For residential streets, the following standards apply:

• Lots up to 50 feet wide: A minimum of two street trees are required per lot.
• Lots over 50 feet wide: Trees must be planted at a minimum average rate of one tree for every 30 feet of street frontage.
• Arterials and Collectors: Trees must be planted adjacent to the right-of-way at a minimum average rate of one tree for every 30 feet of frontage [§ 18.04.804(f)(1)].

Size and Species

• Minimum Size: Required street trees must be at least a two-inch caliper.
• Species Selection: Trees must be chosen from the Reno Urban Forestry Commission Approved Street Tree Species List. Prohibited trees, such as certain species of Ulmus, Populus, and Salix, are generally not allowed except in established wetland environments with specific approval [§ 18.04.804(f)(1)b; § 18.04.804(d)(3)b].

Placement

The City prefers that all residential street trees be planted within the parkway. If no parkway exists, the Administrator may allow planting between the curb line and the building setback line, provided trees are at least 2.5 feet from the curb and the building foundation [§ 18.04.804(f)(1)b].

Parking Area Landscaping

While single-family and duplex dwellings are exempt, all other residential off-street parking areas must follow specific shading and screening rules [§ 18.04.804(e)(1)]:

• Tree Density: For parking lots 12 or more spaces in width, at least one island with a shade tree must be provided so that there are no more than 12 spaces between islands. No parking space may be further than 75 feet from a tree [§ 18.04.804(e)(2)b].
• Tree Type: Parking lots must be landscaped with Class 4 large canopy type trees to maximize shade coverage [§ 18.04.804(e)(2)b].
• Islands: Landscape islands must have a minimum usable planting area 14 feet long and 8 feet wide, with at least 3 feet of soil depth for healthy tree growth [§ 18.04.804(e)(2)b].

Protection and Preservation of Existing Trees

The City encourages the preservation of mature, healthy trees through credits and strict protection standards during construction.

Tree Preservation Credits

Preserving existing mature trees can reduce the number of new trees required:

• Calculation: The credit is calculated by dividing the preserved tree’s diameter by 2.5.
• Limit: Tree credits cannot exceed 30 percent of the total required number of trees for the lot.
• Criteria: To qualify, 75 percent of the tree's critical root zone must remain undisturbed at natural grade, and no more than 25 percent of the canopy can be removed [§ 18.04.105(b)-(c)].

Construction Protection

If construction activities occur near protected trees, developers must:

• Flagging: Flag all protected trees within 50 feet of construction with fluorescent orange tape at a height of four feet.
• Bark Protection: Enclose the tree trunk with two-inch by four-inch lumber to prevent impact damage.
• Prohibited Zones: No material storage, equipment cleaning, or vehicular traffic is allowed within the critical root zone of a protected tree [§ 18.04.105(e)-(f)].

Penalties for Removal

If mature, healthy trees are removed during construction, they must be replaced with deciduous trees of at least 2.5-inch caliper or evergreen trees at least 10 feet tall [§ 18.04.105(d)].