Cannabis Dispensary and Retail Store Regulations in the City of Reno
In the City of Reno, cannabis establishments are permitted in specific Urban and Employment districts including Mixed-Use Urban (MU), General Commercial (GC), and Mixed Employment (ME), provided they maintain a 1,000-foot separation from schools and are not adjacent to residential property. Both medical dispensaries and adult-use retail stores must comply with strict locational prohibitions, such as exclusion from areas south of Mount Rose Highway and the Downtown University District (MD-UD). Adult-use retail stores are further restricted by a 2,500-foot required separation from one another [Section 18.03.304(g)(3)].
Allowed Zoning Districts
The City of Reno Land Development Code distinguishes between medical cannabis dispensaries and adult-use cannabis retail stores. While both are permitted in several mixed-use and commercial areas, medical dispensaries are allowed in a broader range of Downtown (MD-) districts.
Medical Cannabis Dispensaries
The City of Reno permits medical cannabis dispensaries in the following districts:
- Downtown Districts: MD-ED (Entertainment), MD-ID (Innovation), MD-RD (Riverwalk), MD-NWQ (Northwest Quadrant), and MD-PD (Powning) [Table 3-1].
- Urban Districts: MU (Mixed-Use Urban), MS (Mixed-Use Suburban), GC (General Commercial), and MU-MC (Mixed-Use Midtown Commercial) [Table 3-1].
- Employment Districts: IC (Industrial Commercial) and ME (Mixed Employment) [Table 3-1].
Adult-Use Cannabis Retail Stores
Adult-use cannabis retail stores are permitted in a more limited set of districts within the City of Reno:
- Urban Districts: MU (Mixed-Use Urban), MS (Mixed-Use Suburban), GC (General Commercial), and MU-MC (Mixed-Use Midtown Commercial) [Table 3-1].
- Employment Districts: ME (Mixed Employment) [Table 3-1].
Note on Prohibitions: Cannabis establishments (including accessory uses) are explicitly prohibited in the MD-UD (Downtown University District) [Section 18.02.305(a)].
Locational and Separation Requirements
The City of Reno imposes strict buffer zones and locational constraints to ensure cannabis establishments are separated from sensitive uses and other retail stores.
Prohibited Locations
In the City of Reno, no cannabis dispensary or retail store may be located on a parcel that is:
- Adjacent to residentially zoned property.
- Owned by the federal government.
- Located south of Mount Rose Highway or Geiger Grade (SR341) [Section 18.03.304(g)(2-3)].
Required Separation Distances
All cannabis establishments in the City of Reno must adhere to the following minimum separation distances, measured in a straight line from the front door of the establishment to the closest parcel line of the protected use:
| Protected Use / Establishment | Minimum Separation Distance |
|---|---|
| Public or Private School (K-12) | 1,000 feet |
| Community Facility (e.g., Daycare, Public Park) | 300 feet |
| Licensed Gaming Establishment (Nonrestricted) | 1,500 feet |
| Another Adult-Use Cannabis Retail Store | 2,500 feet |
| Alcohol or Drug Abuse Treatment Facility | 500 feet |
[Section 18.03.304(g)(2-3)]
Development and Operational Standards
Cannabis establishments in the City of Reno must maintain a professional and orderly appearance consistent with traditional pharmacies or medical offices [Section 18.03.304(g)(3)(f)].
Operating Hours
For both medical and adult-use establishments in the City of Reno, hours of operation are restricted to between 8:00 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week [Section 18.03.304(g)(3)(h)].
Parking Requirements
The City of Reno Land Development Code requires off-street parking based on the "Parking District" level of the specific site:
| Use Type | Level 1 Parking District (Min.) | Level 2 Parking District (Min.) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Cannabis Dispensary | 1 per 400 sq. ft. | 1 per 220 sq. ft. |
| Adult-Use Cannabis Retail Store | 1 per 400 sq. ft. | 1 per 220 sq. ft. |
[Table 4-6]
Signage Standards
Adult-use cannabis retail stores are subject to specific signage limitations within the City of Reno:
- Only one sign is allowed per establishment.
- Signs are limited to a maximum of six square feet.
- Signs must be placed on a window or a door.
- Temporary or window signs are prohibited (except for the single allowed six-square-foot sign).
- Logos must be approved by the State Department of Taxation [Section 18.03.304(g)(3)(g)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.305, MD-UD: Downtown - University District
- Section 18.03.206, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.03.304(g), Retail (Use-Specific Standards)
- Section 18.04.705, Off-Street Parking Requirements (Table 4-6)