Guide to the LLR-.5 Large-Lot Residential District in Reno
The LLR-.5 Large-Lot Residential District in the City of Reno establishes a low-density environment primarily for single-family detached homes on minimum 0.5-acre lots. It permits a maximum base density of two units per acre and enforces significant building setbacks, including 30-foot front and rear yards, to maintain a spacious, semi-rural character. This district also integrates secondary uses such as parks and community gardens while allowing for managed urban farming through specialized permits.
Purpose and Character
General Intent
The City of Reno established the LLR-.5 Large-Lot Residential District to primarily accommodate single-family residential uses. The district is intended to provide a transition between more rural, large-lot areas and higher-intensity urban residential neighborhoods [Section 18.02.203]. According to the City of Reno code, the district is also designed to support secondary community functions, including parks, schools, and community gardens, as well as home occupations [Section 18.02.203].
District Character
The character of the LLR-.5 District is defined by large lot sizes and generous open space around structures. By requiring a minimum lot size of 0.5 acres, the City of Reno ensures a lower population density compared to standard single-family districts. The character is further protected by limits on building coverage, ensuring that at least 60 percent of a lot remains free of the floor plates of principal and accessory structures [Section 18.02.203].
Permitted Land Uses
Land uses in the LLR-.5 District are categorized by their level of impact and required review process. The City of Reno uses a "Table of Allowed Uses" to define these permissions [Section 18.03.206].
Primary Permitted Uses
The following uses are permitted by right in the LLR-.5 District:
- Residential: Single-family detached dwellings, manufactured homes, and mobile home subdivisions.
- Group Living: Group homes.
- Civic: Public parks or recreation areas and minor utility installations.
- Temporary: Garage sales, real estate sales offices, and temporary stockpiling.
Conditional and Minor Conditional Uses
Certain uses require additional oversight to ensure compatibility with the residential neighborhood:
- Minor Conditional Use Permit (M): Required for adult education facilities, childcare centers, and schools (public or private). Urban farms also require this permit if intended to be established for more than three years [Section 18.03.304].
- Conditional Use Permit (C): Required for animal clinics, shelters, or boarding/training facilities, as well as major utility installations.
Accessory Uses
Accessory uses are allowed in the LLR-.5 District when they are customarily incidental to the primary residence:
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU): Permitted provided the lot is at least 5,000 square feet and the ADU is subordinate in appearance to the main house [Section 18.03.405].
- Home Occupations: Allowed subject to strict standards, such as a 500-square-foot size limit and a prohibition on visible outdoor storage or signs [Section 18.03.405].
- Recreational: Private ball courts and private stables (stables for more than four horses require at least one acre) [Section 18.03.405].
Development Standards
The City of Reno enforces specific "Lot and Building Standards" to maintain the consistent physical form of the LLR-.5 District [Section 18.02.203].
Dimensional Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Base Density | 2 dwelling units per acre |
| Minimum Lot Size | 0.5 acre |
| Minimum Lot Width | 100 feet |
| Minimum Front Setback | 30 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback (Principal) | 30 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback (Accessory) | 30 feet / 12 feet* |
| Maximum Principal Building Height | 45 feet |
| Maximum Accessory Structure Height | 29 feet |
| Maximum Building Coverage | 40% |
| Street-Facing Garage Setback | 30 feet from sidewalk |
*Note: The lower 12-foot rear setback applies only to single-story accessory structures up to 16 feet in height [Section 18.02.203].
Parking and Landscaping
Residential development in the LLR-.5 District falls under "Level 2" parking requirements. For single-family detached homes, the City of Reno requires one parking space per 1,250 square feet of the unit, with a maximum requirement of three spaces per unit [Section 18.04.705].
Regarding landscaping, the City of Reno requires the front yard of a single-family home (excluding driveways and sidewalks) to be landscaped within one year of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy [Section 18.04.804].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.203, LLR-0.5: Large-Lot Residential (0.5 Acre)
- Section 18.03.206, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.03.304, Commercial Uses (Urban Farm)
- Section 18.03.405, Standards for Specific Accessory Uses
- Section 18.04.705, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.804, Minimum Landscaping Required