Drive-Through Business Regulations in the City of Reno
In the City of Reno, drive-through facilities are primarily allowed as accessory uses in the General Commercial (GC), Industrial (I), Industrial Commercial (IC), Mixed Employment (ME), and Mixed-Use Airport (MA) districts. Most Mixed-Use and Urban districts require either a Conditional Use Permit or a Minor Conditional Use Permit, while drive-throughs are strictly prohibited in all Residential districts and specific corridors like Mixed-Use Midtown Commercial (MU-MC).
Allowed Zoning Districts for Drive-Through Facilities
The City of Reno Land Development Code categorizes drive-through facilities as accessory uses. The level of permission varies significantly based on the character of the base zoning district.
Districts Permitting Drive-Throughs by Right
In these districts, drive-throughs are permitted as an accessory use (A), provided they meet standard development and stacking requirements [Section 18.03.206]:
- GC: General Commercial
- I: Industrial
- IC: Industrial Commercial
- ME: Mixed Employment
- MA: Mixed-Use Airport
Districts Requiring Discretionary Review
In many urban and transition areas, the City of Reno requires a Minor Conditional Use Permit (M) or a full Conditional Use Permit (C) to evaluate compatibility with surrounding uses [Section 18.03.206]:
- MS: Mixed-Use Suburban (Minor Conditional Use Permit required)
- MU: Mixed-Use Urban (Conditional Use Permit required)
- NC: Neighborhood Commercial (Conditional Use Permit required)
- PO: Professional Office (Conditional Use Permit required)
- MD-RD: Downtown Riverwalk District (Conditional Use Permit required)
- MD-NWQ: Downtown Northwest Quadrant (Conditional Use Permit required)
- MD-PD: Downtown Powning District (Conditional Use Permit required)
Prohibited Districts
Drive-through businesses are prohibited in the following areas to preserve residential character or pedestrian-oriented environments [Section 18.03.206]:
- All Residential Districts (LLR, SF, MF)
- MD-ED: Downtown Entertainment District
- MD-UD: Downtown University District
- MU-MC: Mixed-Use Midtown Commercial
- MU-RES: Mixed-Use Midtown Residential
Neighborhood Planning Area Exceptions
Specific neighborhood overlays within the City of Reno may further restrict or allow drive-throughs regardless of the underlying base zone.
| Neighborhood Overlay Area | Regulation | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Avenue Mixed-Use (WA-MU) | Prohibited unless a Conditional Use Permit is obtained. | Section 18.02.603(g)(8)a.1[m] |
| Mixed-Use Midtown Commercial (MU-MC) | Explicitly prohibited. | Section 18.02.603(g)(9)b.5 |
| West University (WUNP) - GC Zone | Prohibited within the University Regional Center and Transit Corridor. | Section 18.02.603(h)(2)b.3 |
| West University (WUNP) - NC Zone | Permitted on Keystone Avenue and within the block bounded by I-80, Keystone, W. 7th, and Alvaro Street. | Section 18.02.603(h)(2)c.1 |
Technical Standards and Stacking Requirements
All drive-through businesses in the City of Reno must adhere to specific vehicle stacking and design standards to prevent traffic congestion and neighborhood impacts.
Vehicle Stacking Distance
Stacking is measured based on the type of service provided [Section 18.04.708(b)]:
| Service Type | Stacking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Car Wash | 2 spaces per service lane + 1 space per detailing bay |
| Food Service | 140 feet total behind the payment window; 40 feet behind additional kiosks |
| Non-Food Service | 80 feet behind the service window/machine; 60 feet behind kiosks |
Location and Screening Standards
The City of Reno enforces strict separation and screening for drive-through lanes to protect adjacent residential properties [Section 18.03.405(g)]:
- Residential Separation: Drive-through lanes shall not be located within 100 feet of residentially zoned property unless separated by a principal building or a 6-foot-tall solid screen (fence, wall, or berm) plus 10 feet of landscaping.
- Access: Access to local residential streets is prohibited unless deemed necessary for traffic safety by the City.
- LID Objectives: The Administrator may approve alternative parking or lane sizes if the reduction supports Low Impact Development (LID) objectives [Section 18.04.707(e)].
Operational Hours and Permits
The City of Reno requires a Conditional Use Permit for any drive-through facility operating between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless the business is located in the I, IC, ME, or MA districts and is at least 300 feet away from residentially zoned property [Section 18.08.605(b)(3)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.603: Neighborhood Planning Area Overlay Districts
- Section 18.03.206: Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.03.405: Standards for Specific Accessory Uses
- Section 18.04.707: Off-Street Parking Layout and Design
- Section 18.04.708: Off-Street Loading and Stacking
- Section 18.08.605: Conditional Use Permit