I: Industrial Zoning District Regulations in the City of Reno
The I: Industrial zoning district in the City of Reno is designed for the most intensive land uses, requiring a minimum lot size of one acre and accommodating large-footprint buildings for heavy manufacturing and logistics. Development within the I: Industrial zoning district is characterized by its strategic location near major transportation systems and strict requirements for landscaping and screening when situated adjacent to residential areas.
Purpose and General Character
The City of Reno established the I: Industrial zoning district to accommodate intensive land uses that require mitigation of environmental and community impacts. The district is intended for the city's heaviest industrial activities, typically housed in large-footprint buildings designed for warehousing, flex space, manufacturing, and supporting office functions [Section 18.02.401].
To ensure efficient operations, the City of Reno requires that these districts be located in areas with direct access to air, roadway, or railway transportation systems. Furthermore, the general character of the I: Industrial zoning district is defined by its separation from residential neighborhoods and schools through the use of both natural and man-made buffers [Section 18.02.401].
Permitted Land Uses
The I: Industrial zoning district focuses on manufacturing, storage, and distribution. Residential uses are generally prohibited to prevent land use conflicts.
Primary Industrial and Storage Uses
- Manufacturing: Indoor manufacturing, processing, and assembly (Permitted); Outdoor manufacturing (Conditional Use Permit required) [Table 3-1].
- Storage and Distribution: Warehouse or distribution centers, wholesaling, and data centers (Permitted) [Table 3-1].
- Logistics: Truck terminals, railroad yards, and freight transportation terminals [Table 3-1].
- Heavy Services: Towing and impound yards, wrecking yards, and salvage yards [Table 3-1].
Allowed Commercial and Support Uses
While the focus is industrial, the City of Reno allows certain support services within the I: Industrial zoning district:
- Professional Services: General offices and call centers [Table 3-1].
- Food and Beverage: Restaurants, microbreweries, and commercial kitchens [Table 3-1].
- Retail: General retail and plant nurseries [Table 3-1].
- Specialized Industrial: Cannabis cultivation and production facilities (subject to specific standards) [Table 3-1].
Development Standards
The City of Reno enforces specific dimensional requirements to manage the scale of development within the I: Industrial zoning district.
Lot and Building Requirements
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 1 acre |
| Minimum Lot Width | 150 feet |
| Minimum Front Setback (Sites $\le$ 20 acres) | 10 feet |
| Minimum Front Setback (Sites > 20 acres) | 20 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet (10 feet if adjacent to residential) |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 0 feet (10 feet if adjacent to residential) |
| Maximum Building Height | 55 feet |
Note on Height: The City of Reno requires one foot of additional step-back for every one foot of building height above 35 feet when the property is adjacent to streets or residentially zoned property [Section 18.02.401, Table 2-27].
Off-Street Parking Standards
Parking requirements in the I: Industrial zoning district are typically calculated based on the gross floor area of the specific use.
| Use Category | Level 2 Parking District Minimum |
|---|---|
| Industrial / Manufacturing | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Warehouse / Distribution | 1 per 3,300 sq. ft. |
| Office, General | 1 per 400 sq. ft. |
| Restaurant | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
Landscaping and Adjacency
To mitigate the visual impact of heavy operations, the City of Reno mandates that 100% of the required front yard in the I: Industrial zoning district must be landscaped, with the exception of necessary driveways [Section 18.04.804].
Residential Adjacency and Screening
When an I: Industrial zoning district property abuts a residentially zoned parcel, the City of Reno requires "Wall" type screening. This consists of a six-foot-high solid masonry, metal, or wood fence. Additionally, a five-foot-wide landscape area must be installed along the shared property line, containing at least one evergreen tree for every 20 linear feet and six shrubs per tree [Section 18.04.808].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.401, I: Industrial
- Table 2-27, I: Lot and Building Standards
- Table 3-1, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.04.705, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Table 4-6, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.804, Minimum Landscaping Required
- Section 18.04.808, Screening
- Table 4-17, Minimum Required Use Screening