MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District Guide
The MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District is established by the City of Reno to preserve the historic character of the Powning neighborhood while allowing for a transition into the downtown regional center. Within the City of Reno, this district supports a diverse mix of single-family homes, multi-family residences, professional offices, and retail uses with a base density of 21 units per acre and specific setback requirements to maintain the existing neighborhood fabric [Section 18.02.306].
Purpose and General Character
The primary purpose of the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District is the protection of the unique historic character of this specific neighborhood situated within the City of Reno's downtown regional center [Section 18.02.306]. As one of the City of Reno's "Urban Districts," the MD-PD is intended to promote a compact, pedestrian-oriented development pattern that encourages reinvestment in established areas [Section 18.04.1001].
The general character of the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District is defined by its integration of varied building types and scales, ranging from traditional single-family dwellings to professional offices and limited retail operations [Section 18.02.306].
Permitted Land Uses
The MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District allows for a broad range of residential and commercial activities. In the City of Reno, these uses are categorized into those permitted by right, those requiring minor conditional use permits, and those requiring full conditional use permits [Section 18.03.206].
Residential Uses
- Permitted by Right (P): Single-family (detached and attached), duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, multi-family dwellings, live/work units, manufactured homes, and group homes.
- Minor Conditional Use Permit (M): Fraternity or sorority houses.
- Accessory Uses (A): Accessory dwelling units, guest quarters, home occupations, and satellite dishes.
Public and Civic Uses
- Permitted by Right (P): Adult education, childcare centers, libraries, museums, minor government facilities, public parks, and religious assemblies.
- Minor Conditional Use Permit (M): Public or private schools.
Commercial Uses
- Permitted by Right (P): General offices, financial institutions, general retail (less than 10,000 square feet), and restaurants.
- Conditional Use Permit (C): Commercial car washes and gas stations.
Lot and Building Standards
Development in the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District must adhere to specific intensity and dimensional requirements to ensure compatibility with the historic environment of the City of Reno [Section 18.02.306].
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet |
| Minimum Lot Size | 4,750 square feet |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.5 [1] |
| Maximum Density | 21 du/acre [2] |
| Front Setback | 12 feet, and 3 feet from sidewalk or planned sidewalk [3] |
| Side Setback | 5 feet |
| Rear Setback | 20 feet (Principal); 5 feet (Accessory) |
| Street-Facing Garage Setback | 20 feet from sidewalk or planned sidewalk to garage face |
| Maximum Building Height | 40 feet [4] |
| Maximum Building Coverage | 50%, or common open space equal to 20% of gross floor area [5] |
Table Notes:
- FAR may be increased for parcels east of or fronting Ralston Street or Second Street.
- Maximum density increases to 45 du/acre for parcels fronting Second Street or fronting and west of Ralston Street.
- Front setbacks in the City of Reno's MD- districts are generally measured from the back of the curb [Section 18.04.1003].
- Maximum height is increased to 65 feet for parcels fronting Second Street or west of Ralston Street, and up to 105 feet between Ralston and Arlington streets.
- Maximum building coverage may be increased for parcels east of or fronting Ralston Street or Second Street.
Specific Development Standards
As an Urban District within the City of Reno, the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District is subject to several specialized regulations:
- Street Frontage: A minimum of 20 percent of the primary street frontage must be comprised of a building wall or pedestrian amenity [Section 18.04.1003(a)(7)].
- Wall Articulation: Blank walls are prohibited. Exterior facades must use at least five design elements (such as variations in roof form, window openings, or balconies) on primary street-facing facades [Section 18.04.1003(c)(2)].
- Ground-Level Interest: Ground floors must have transparent doors or windows for at least 25 percent of the facade's horizontal length [Section 18.04.1003(c)(3)].
- Residential Adjacency: Buildings within the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District constructed within 150 feet of a property zoned Single-Family (SF) or Large Lot (LL) must provide additional setbacks and height step-backs to maintain compatibility [Section 18.04.1402].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.306
- Section 18.03.206
- Section 18.04.1001
- Section 18.04.1002
- Section 18.04.1003
- Section 18.04.1402