Guide to the NC: Neighborhood Commercial District in Reno
The NC: Neighborhood Commercial district in the City of Reno is designed to provide a mix of pedestrian-oriented commercial, retail, services, and housing options that maintain a maximum residential density of 30 dwelling units per acre. This Urban District restricts building heights to 35 feet and requires that 20 percent of the gross land area be permanently landscaped to ensure compatibility with adjacent residential neighborhoods [Section 18.02.310].
Purpose and General Character
The primary purpose of the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district is to foster development that serves the immediate needs of nearby residents while ensuring the scale and design of new structures do not overwhelm the existing community fabric. The City of Reno intended this district to prioritize the pedestrian experience, meaning that site layouts and building orientations should encourage walking and easy access to neighborhood-level services [Section 18.02.310].
Under the Reno Annexation and Land Development Code, the general character of the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district is one of transition. It acts as a middle ground between purely residential areas and more intensive General Commercial or Mixed-Use Urban zones. This balance is maintained through strict adherence to site design standards and use limitations [Section 18.02.310].
Dimensional Standards
The City of Reno enforces specific lot and building standards to regulate the physical form of the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district. These include maximums for Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and building height, as well as minimums for lot width.
| Standard | NC: Neighborhood Commercial Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.5 |
| Maximum Residential Density | 30 dwelling units per acre |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet |
| Minimum Front Setback | 10 feet [1] |
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet [1] [2] |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 0 feet [1] [2] |
Notes for Dimensional Standards:
- [1] A minimum zero-foot setback is permitted if the property line abuts an alley and at least 24 feet of backup space is provided [Section 18.02.310].
- [2] If the building is located immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property, the minimum setback must be increased to 10 feet [Section 18.02.310].
Permitted Land Uses
The NC: Neighborhood Commercial district allows for a variety of residential, civic, and commercial uses. Some uses are permitted by right, while others require specialized administrative reviews or public hearings.
Residential Uses
The City of Reno allows several residential types in this district to promote housing diversity:
- Permitted (P): Duplex, Triplex, Fourplex, Multi-family (subject to standards), Single-family Attached, Group Home, and Single-Room-Occupancy.
- Minor Conditional Use Permit (M): Live/Work units [Section 18.03.206].
Civic and Institutional Uses
To support neighborhood infrastructure, the following are allowed:
- Permitted (P): Adult Education, Childcare Center, Medical Facility (Day Use), and Religious Assembly.
- Minor Conditional Use Permit (M): Schools (Public or Private) [Section 18.03.206].
Commercial Uses
The NC: Neighborhood Commercial district focuses on lower-intensity retail and services:
- Permitted (P): Bakery (Retail), Financial Institution, General Retail (less than 10,000 square feet), and Restaurants.
- Conditional Use Permit (C): Convenience Stores and Mini-warehouses.
- Prohibited: Large-scale industrial uses and heavy machinery rental/sales [Section 18.03.206].
Development Standards
Parking Requirements
In the City of Reno, the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district is classified as a "Level 2 Parking District." This designation defines the minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for various land uses [Section 18.04.705].
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Multi-Family Dwelling | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (not to exceed 2 per unit) |
| General Retail (<10k sq. ft.) | 1 per 250 sq. ft. |
| Restaurant | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
| Office (General) | 1 per 400 sq. ft. |
Landscaping and Signage
The NC: Neighborhood Commercial district must maintain a minimum of 20 percent of the site as permanent landscaping [Section 18.04.804].
Signage in the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district is strictly limited to monument-style freestanding signs. Pole signs are prohibited to preserve the neighborhood's visual character.
- Freestanding Sign Height: 8 feet maximum (may be increased to 12 feet if the parcel street frontage exceeds 100 feet).
- Freestanding Sign Area: 60 square feet maximum.
- Wall Sign Area: 1 square foot of sign area per lineal foot of business frontage, not to exceed 400 square feet [Section 18.05.113].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.310 NC: Neighborhood Commercial
- Section 18.03.206 Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.04.705 Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.804 Minimum Landscaping Required
- Section 18.05.113 Permanent On-Premises Sign Regulations by Zoning District