MF-14: Multi-Family Residential District Parking Standards in the City of Reno
In the City of Reno, residential projects within the MF-14: Multi-Family Residential district must provide off-street parking at a rate of one space per 1,250 square feet per unit, with a maximum requirement of two spaces per unit for multi-family dwellings and three spaces per unit for single-family structures. Because the MF-14: Multi-Family Residential district is primarily designed for residential housing and limited civic uses, it is classified as a "Level 2 Parking District," and principal commercial uses are generally prohibited unless they are specifically permitted accessory or temporary uses.
Parking District Classification
The off-street parking requirements for the MF-14: Multi-Family Residential district are determined by its classification under the City of Reno’s parking district hierarchy. The MF-14 district follows the "Level 2 Parking District" standards, which apply to all zoning districts not specifically designated as Downtown or Level 1 [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)c].
Residential Parking Requirements
Required parking for residential developments in the MF-14: Multi-Family Residential district is based on the gross floor area of the units. Per the City of Reno code, structured parking within a building is not included in the square footage used for these calculations [Section 18.04.704(a)].
| Use Type | Minimum Requirement (Level 2 District) |
|---|---|
| Dwelling, Duplex | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 2 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Triplex | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 2 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Fourplex | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 2 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Multi-family | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 2 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Attached | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 3 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Detached | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 3 per unit) |
| Manufactured Home | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 3 per unit) |
| Mobile Home Park | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 2 per unit) |
| Mobile Home Subdivision | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. per unit (max 2 per unit) |
| Group Home | 1 per 2 resident beds |
| Assisted Living Facility | 1 per 1.5 resident beds |
| Boarding or Rooming House | 1 per 2.5 resident beds |
[Table 4-6]
Commercial and Civic Use Parking Requirements
While the MF-14: Multi-Family Residential district prohibits most principal commercial uses (such as retail, bars, or professional offices), certain civic, institutional, and agricultural uses are permitted or allowed via a conditional use permit [Section 18.03.206]. These uses must also adhere to the Level 2 Parking District minimums.
| Use Type | Minimum Requirement (Level 2 District) |
|---|---|
| Childcare Center | 1 per 400 sq. ft. |
| Religious Assembly | 1 per 300 sq. ft. |
| School, Primary | 1 per classroom and 1 per 100 students |
| Community and Cultural Facilities | 1 per 600 sq. ft. |
| Urban Farm (Temporary) | No parking required for temporary uses |
[Table 4-6; Section 18.04.705(a)(3)b]
General Parking Standards in MF-14
The City of Reno enforces several design and operational standards for parking within the MF-14: Multi-Family Residential district to ensure safety and neighborhood compatibility:
Location and Setbacks
- Front Yard Prohibitions: Off-street parking is strictly prohibited within the front yard setback of the MF-14 district, unless the parking is located on a driveway serving a single-family, duplex, or triplex residence [Section 18.04.903(a)(3)b].
- Street Frontage Limits: For all uses other than small residential structures, parking areas located between residential living areas and street frontages must be limited to no more than 50 percent of the total street frontage [Section 18.04.903(a)(3)d].
Accessible and Bicycle Parking
- Accessible Parking: Residential uses with five or more units per lot must provide accessible parking spaces at the same rate as nonresidential projects. For projects with fewer than five units, one accessible space must be provided for any unit designed for occupancy by persons with disabilities [Section 18.04.705(b)(2)].
- Bicycle Parking: Multi-family residential projects in the MF-14: Multi-Family Residential district must provide one bicycle parking space per unit [Table 4-8].
Tandem Parking
Tandem parking (where two or more vehicles are parked end-to-end) is only permitted in the MF-14 district when all involved spaces are assigned to the same residential unit [Section 18.04.709(a)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.208, MF-14: Multi-Family Residential
- Section 18.03.206, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.04.704, Calculation of Parking and Loading Requirements
- Section 18.04.705, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.709, Tandem Parking
- Section 18.04.903, General Standards for Residential Districts