MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District Regulations in Reno

The MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District in Reno is designed to protect the historic character of the neighborhood while allowing a blend of single-family homes, multi-family residences, offices, and retail uses. Most residential and light commercial activities are permitted by right, though the City of Reno requires a Conditional Use Permit for more intensive operations like hotel-casinos, data centers, and major utilities to ensure they do not degrade the district's unique environment [Section 18.02.306].

District Purpose and Character

The City of Reno established the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District to safeguard the historic integrity of this specific area within the downtown regional center. The district supports a diverse urban fabric, prioritizing the preservation of the neighborhood's scale while accommodating adaptive reuse of structures for modern professional and commercial needs [Section 18.02.306(a)].

Site and Building Standards

All development within the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District must adhere to specific intensity and dimensional standards intended to maintain a consistent neighborhood rhythm.

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Lot Width	50 feet
Minimum Lot Size	4,750 square feet
Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	1.5 [Note 1]
Maximum Density	21 dwelling units per acre [Note 2]
Minimum Front Setback	12 feet (and 3 feet from sidewalk)
Minimum Side Setback	5 feet
Minimum Rear Setback	20 feet
Maximum Building Height	40 feet [Note 3]
Maximum Building Coverage	50% [Note 4]

Notes for Table:

1. FAR may be increased for parcels east of or fronting Ralston Street or fronting Second Street.
2. Maximum density is 45 du/acre for parcels fronting Second Street or fronting and west of Ralston Street. There is no maximum density between Ralston and Arlington streets.
3. Maximum height is 65 feet for parcels fronting Second Street or fronting and west of Ralston Street, and 105 feet between Ralston and Arlington streets.
4. Building coverage may be increased for parcels east of or fronting Ralston Street or Second Street [Table 2-19].

Allowed and Conditional Uses

The City of Reno utilizes a "Table of Allowed Uses" to determine permissions for the MD-PD district. Below is a detailed categorization of these uses.

Residential and Group Living

The MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District allows for a wide range of residential types to promote housing diversity within the City of Reno.

• Permitted (P): Single-family (detached and attached), duplex, triplex, fourplex, multi-family, live/work units, manufactured homes, group homes, private dormitories, single-room occupancy, assisted living facilities, and boarding/rooming houses.
• Minor Conditional Use Permit (M): Fraternity or sorority houses.

Public, Institutional, and Civic Uses

These uses are largely permitted in the MD-PD district to provide community services.

• Permitted (P): Cemeteries/mausoleums, libraries, art galleries, museums, minor government facilities, private clubs, religious assemblies, adult education, childcare centers, colleges/universities, vocational schools, blood plasma donor centers, hospitals, and medical facilities (day use).
• Minor Conditional Use Permit (M): Public or private schools (subject to specific standards).

Commercial, Retail, and Service Uses

Reno encourages commercial vitality in the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District, provided the uses remain compatible with the historic residential context.

• Permitted (P): Animal clinics/shelters (indoor), retail bakeries, bars/lounges, commercial kitchens, microbreweries/distilleries, restaurants (with or without alcohol), bed and breakfasts, hotels/motels, professional offices (general and call centers), laboratories, recording studios, wedding chapels, indoor amusement/recreation, and various retail stores (less than or greater than 10,000 square feet).
• Minor Conditional Use Permit (M): Outside amusement or recreation.
• Conditional Use Permit (C): Hotel-casinos (with nonrestricted gaming), convention centers, sports arenas/stadiums, recreational vehicle parks, and package alcohol sales.

Industrial and Utility Uses

Industrial activity is strictly limited in the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District to prevent noise and environmental conflicts with residents.

• Permitted (P): Printing and publishing; minor utilities.
• Conditional Use Permit (C): Data centers, crematoriums, and major utilities [Table 3-1].

Prohibited Uses

Any use not explicitly listed as Permitted (P), Minor Conditional (M), or Conditional (C) in the City of Reno use table is prohibited in the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District. Key prohibited uses include:

• Industrial: Heavy manufacturing, chemical processing, hazardous waste facilities, and salvage yards.
• Transportation: Truck terminals, tow yards, and truck stops.
• Agricultural: Commercial farming and commercial stables.
• Civic: Prisons or custodial institutions and public meal/homeless service providers [Table 3-1].

Accessory and Temporary Uses

The MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District allows various secondary uses to support primary residences and businesses.

• Accessory Uses: Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), home occupations, restricted gaming operations (incidental to primary use), and outdoor storage (subject to screening) are allowed [Section 18.03.405].
• Temporary Uses: Christmas tree sales, construction field offices, garage sales, and temporary urban farms are permitted for limited durations [Section 18.03.503].

Sections Cited

• Section 18.02.306: MD-PD: Downtown - Powning District
• Table 2-19: MD-PD: Lot and Building Standards
• Section 18.03.206: Table of Allowed Uses
• Section 18.03.405: Standards for Specific Accessory Uses
• Section 18.03.503: Standards for Specific Temporary Uses