Gaming (G) Overlay District Standards and Base District Modifications in the City of Reno
The Gaming (G) Overlay District in the City of Reno modifies base standards by requiring all nonrestricted gaming operations to be associated with a hotel and located within specific designated sub-overlay areas. These regulations impose strict minimums for hotel room counts (typically 301 rooms), establish ratios for public-to-gaming floor area, and set specialized height limits for structures and signage. In specific areas like the Western Gateway, the overlay also mandates significant increases in the percentage of land dedicated to landscaping and recreational amenities [Section 18.02.602(c)].
Purpose and General Modifications
The Gaming (G) Overlay District is a general overlay district superimposed over base zoning districts in the City of Reno to mitigate the impacts of hotel-casino developments and encourage high-quality destination resorts [Section 18.02.602(c)(1)]. Per the Reno Land Development Code, any new nonrestricted gaming operation must be located within a gaming overlay [Section 18.03.304(c)(4)].
Hotel and Gaming Ratios
In Urban Districts, the City of Reno requires that gaming operations be incidental to a hotel use. The overlay modifies intensity and bulk through the following requirements:
Table 1: Urban District Gaming and Hotel Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 1 acre |
| Minimum Hotel Room Count | 301 rooms |
| Public-to-Gaming Area Ratio | 1:1 ratio (one sq. ft. of public space for every one sq. ft. of gaming space) |
| Maximum Gaming Area (Baseline) | 37,500 square feet |
| Room Count for Gaming Expansion | 125 additional sq. ft. of gaming space allowed per additional room (above 301 rooms) |
| Absolute Maximum Room Count Requirement | 500 rooms (after which no additional rooms are required for further gaming expansion) |
[Section 18.03.304(c)(4)b]
Specific Gaming Overlay Sub-Districts
The City of Reno identifies five specific sub-overlays, each with unique modifications to base district standards [Section 18.02.602(c)(2)]:
1. Convention Center (Overlay 1)
This sub-overlay focuses on supporting the regional convention center. It requires a minimum of 20,000 square feet of convention space and 35,000 square feet of gaming area. It also requires at least three restaurants, one of which must operate 24/7. Building heights are modified based on the room count:
Table 2: Convention Center Overlay Height Limits
| Number of Hotel Rooms | Maximum Building Height |
|---|---|
| 201–399 rooms | 300 feet |
| 400–599 rooms | 400 feet |
| 600 or more rooms | 500 feet |
[Section 18.02.602(c)(2)a]
2. Western Gateway (Overlay 5)
In the Western Gateway area, the City of Reno mandates stricter setbacks and higher recreational standards. The building footprint of the casino floor must be at least 500 feet from the nearest school, church, residentially zoned property, or hospital. The total gaming space is capped at 10 percent of the net land area [Section 18.02.602(c)(2)e].
Table 3: Western Gateway Landscaping and Recreation Standards
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Site Area | 3 acres |
| Total Landscaping/Recreation Area | 30% of net land area |
| General Landscaping Buffer | 15% of net land area (used to soften the project and buffer adjoining uses) |
| Specific Recreational Uses | 7.5% of net land area (e.g., putting greens, paths, pools, or courts) |
| Convention Space Ratio | 50 square feet per hotel room |
[Section 18.02.602(c)(2)e]
3. Other Sub-Overlay Restrictions
- Redfield (Overlay 2): Only one Hotel with Nonrestricted Gaming is permitted at any time. A new one cannot be approved unless an existing one is revoked [Section 18.02.602(c)(2)b].
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport (Overlay 3): Gaming must be located within 1/2 mile of the airport terminal and is strictly prohibited within the Airport Critical Area [Section 18.02.602(c)(2)c].
- Corridor Gaming (Overlay 4): Nonrestricted gaming is only permitted where it was currently operating, existing, or entitled at the time the City of Reno adopted the current code [Section 18.02.602(c)(2)d].
Signage and Nonconformity Modifications
The overlay significantly modifies the City of Reno’s standard signage height and area limitations for legally established nonrestricted gaming facilities [Section 18.05.113].
Table 4: Gaming Facility Signage Standards
| Sign Type | Maximum Height | Maximum Area |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Signs | 100 feet (requires major site plan review to exceed) | No Limit |
| Wall Signs | N/A | No Limit |
[Section 18.05.113, Table 5-1]
Nonconforming Use and ReTRAC Relocation
The City of Reno allows nonconforming gaming uses forced to relocate due to the Reno Transportation Rail Access Corridor (ReTRAC) to move to the Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment (MD-ED) district. These relocated uses are exempt from the standard minimum hotel/motel room requirements [Section 18.01.403(d)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.01.403, Nonconforming Uses
- Section 18.02.601, Overlay Districts, Generally
- Section 18.02.602, General Overlay Districts
- Section 18.03.304, Commercial Uses
- Section 18.05.113, Permanent On-Premises Sign Regulations by Zoning District