I: Industrial District Setback Standards in the City of Reno
In the City of Reno I: Industrial district, front setbacks are determined by lot size, requiring a minimum of 10 feet for sites 20 acres or less and 20 feet for sites exceeding 20 acres. While side and rear setbacks are generally 0 feet, the City of Reno requires a minimum 10-foot setback for any building in the I: Industrial district that is located immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property [Section 18.02.401]. Furthermore, for large-scale industrial developments, the required landscaped buffer width adjacent to residential areas can increase up to 20 feet depending on the gross floor area of the structure [Section 18.04.1103].
Standard Setback Requirements
The City of Reno establishes specific setback standards for the I: Industrial district to accommodate intensive land uses like warehousing and manufacturing while maintaining safety and character. The following table outlines the minimum building setbacks based on the scale and location of the development.
Table: I: Industrial District Building Setbacks
| Setback Type | Site Size/Condition | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Front | Sites 20 acres or less | 10 feet |
| Front | Sites more than 20 acres | 20 feet |
| Side | General standard | 0 feet |
| Side | Adjacent to residential property | 10 feet |
| Rear | General standard | 0 feet |
| Rear | Adjacent to residential property | 10 feet |
[Section 18.02.401, Table 2-27]
Residential Adjacency and Compatibility Standards
The City of Reno imposes additional compatibility standards when an I: Industrial district development occurs within 300 feet of a residential zoning district or a mobile home park [Section 18.04.1402].
Enhanced Landscaped Buffers
While the building setback may be 10 feet, the required width of the landscaped area adjacent to residentially zoned property in the City of Reno increases for larger industrial footprints:
- General: 10 feet wide minimum for all developments.
- Buildings over 150,000 sq. ft. GFA: 15 feet wide minimum.
- Buildings over 300,000 sq. ft. GFA: 20 feet wide minimum.
- Maximum Combined Buffer: In combination with other standards, the maximum required landscaped buffer is capped at 30 feet in width [Section 18.04.1103].
Grading Setbacks
To protect adjacent residential properties from the impacts of site preparation, the City of Reno requires specific setbacks for grading and fill activities:
- No-Fill Zone: No fill may be placed within 5 feet of a shared property line.
- 20-Foot Zone: Fill depths within 20 feet of the shared property line cannot exceed 4 feet above natural grade.
- 50-Foot Zone: Fill depths within 50 feet of the shared property line cannot exceed 8 feet above natural grade [Section 18.04.1404].
Other Setback and Siting Considerations
In addition to buildings, specific activities and structures within the I: Industrial district must adhere to City of Reno setback standards:
- Loading Docks: Loading docks and semi-truck staging areas in the I: Industrial district must be designed to minimize noise and odor. They cannot be located between an industrial building and a residential district unless screened by another building or a masonry wall at least 10 feet high [Section 18.04.1103].
- Outdoor Storage: Where allowed, outdoor storage must conform to the same setback requirements as principal buildings in the I: Industrial district. It must be screened from residential property within 750 feet by 10 feet of landscaping and a solid fence up to 10 feet in height [Section 18.03.306].
- Fencing: Fences or walls in the I: Industrial district required front yard may be up to 6 feet in height, or up to 9 feet if utilizing barbed wire for utility enclosures [Section 18.04.809].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.401: I: Industrial
- Section 18.03.306: Industrial Uses
- Section 18.04.1103: General Standards for Employment Districts (I, IC, ME & MA)
- Section 18.04.1402: Applicability (Residential Adjacency)
- Section 18.04.1404: Grading (Residential Adjacency)
- Section 18.04.809: Fences and Walls