Bars, Taverns, and Nightclub Regulations in the City of Reno
In the City of Reno, bars, lounges, and taverns are permitted in all Urban and Employment zoning districts but are strictly prohibited in all residential districts. Establishments meeting the definition of a "nightclub" (those featuring dancing and live entertainment) face additional prohibitions within the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) district of the West University Neighborhood Planning Area. Establishments in General Commercial (GC) and Industrial (I, IC, ME) districts must operate with a full commercial kitchen and serve food during all hours of operation [Section 18.03.304(b)(2)].
Permitted Zoning Districts
The City of Reno Annexation and Land Development Code classifies bars, lounges, and taverns under a single commercial use category. While these uses are broadly permitted in non-residential areas, they are prohibited in all Large-Lot (LLR), Single-Family (SF), and Multi-Family (MF) districts [Table 3-1].
| District Category | Specific Zoning Districts | Permission Status |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Districts | MD-ED, MD-UD, MD-ID, MD-RD, MD-NWQ, MD-PD, MU, MS, GC, NC, PO, MU-MC, MU-RES | Permitted (P) |
| Employment Districts | I, IC, ME, MA | Permitted (P) |
| Residential Districts | LLR-2.5, LLR-1, LLR-0.5, SF-3, SF-5, SF-8, SF-11, MF-14, MF-21, MF-30 | Prohibited |
Use-Specific Standards
The City of Reno imposes specific operational requirements on bars and taverns depending on their underlying zoning district.
General Commercial and Industrial Standards
In the City of Reno GC (General Commercial), I (Industrial), IC (Industrial Commercial), and ME (Mixed Employment) districts, bars, lounges, or taverns must comply with the following [Section 18.03.304(b)(2)]:
- Lounge Area Limit: Lounge and bar areas shall occupy no more than 30 percent of the total gross floor area of the establishment.
- Kitchen Requirement: The facility must include a full commercial kitchen.
- Mandatory Food Service: Food must be served at all times the business is open to the public.
Neighborhood Planning and Overlays
Specific overlays within the City of Reno may further restrict these uses:
- West University Neighborhood Planning Area (WUNP): While the base NC district generally allows bars, "night clubs" are specifically prohibited in the NC Zoning District within this planning area [Section 18.02.603(h)(2)a.14].
- Wells Avenue Neighborhood Plan (WANP): In the Wells Avenue Mixed-Use (WA-MU) area, restaurants with alcohol service are permitted by right, but bars/lounges must still adhere to base district standards [Section 18.02.603(g)(8)].
Nightclub and Live Entertainment Definitions
In the City of Reno, a "Night Club" is defined as an establishment operated as a place of entertainment characterized by live, recorded, or televised entertainment (including magicians, musicians, or comedians) and dancing [Section 18.09.301].
Because the definition of a "Bar, Lounge, or Tavern" includes the right to operate in conjunction with a "Live Entertainment" use, most nightclubs are regulated under the bar/tavern category combined with the "Live Entertainment" accessory use [Section 18.09.301].
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The City of Reno requires off-street parking for bars and taverns based on the designated Parking District. Level 1 districts (typically high-density Mixed-Use Urban and Midtown areas) have no minimum requirement, while Level 2 districts (the rest of the municipality) require parking based on square footage [Section 18.04.705].
| Use Type | Level 1 Parking District (Min.) | Level 2 Parking District (Min.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bar, Lounge, or Tavern | 0 (No minimum) | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. |
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.603, Neighborhood Planning Area Overlay Districts
- Section 18.03.206, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.03.304, Commercial Uses
- Section 18.04.705, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.09.301, Definitions of Use Categories and Use Types