Off-Street Parking Requirements for MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District
In the MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District within the City of Reno, there are no minimum off-street vehicle parking requirements for any residential or commercial projects. While developers are not required to provide vehicle parking, the City of Reno strictly prohibits parking as a ground-floor use within the MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District. Specific requirements remain in effect for bicycle parking and off-street loading based on the use type and the size of the development.
Vehicle Parking Requirements
The City of Reno classifies the MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District as part of the "Downtown Parking District." Under the Reno Land Development Code, the minimum parking requirements for this district are as follows:
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residential Uses | No minimum requirement |
| Commercial (Nonresidential) Uses | No minimum requirement |
The lack of a minimum requirement applies to all new developments, though existing facilities are protected from having their current parking capacity reduced below the standards that were in place when they were established [Section 18.04.705(a) and Section 18.04.702(b)].
Use Restrictions and Design Standards
While vehicle parking is optional, the City of Reno imposes specific restrictions on its placement within the MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District to protect the pedestrian-oriented character of the Truckee River area.
Ground Floor Prohibition
In the MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District, parking is explicitly listed as a prohibited ground-floor use [Section 18.04.1004, Table 4-19]. This standard supports the "Active Ground Floor Retail" requirements, which mandate that at least 66 percent of the width of a new building wall facing certain streets (such as the North and South Esplanade or Virginia Street) must be devoted to pedestrian entrances or transparent windows [Section 18.04.1004(c)(3) and Section 18.04.1004(f)(5)].
Loading and Service Areas
Nonresidential developments within the MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District must provide off-street loading areas if they exceed 30,000 square feet. Additionally, the City of Reno prohibits outdoor trash or loading facilities on the river side of any property within this district [Section 18.04.1003(a)(8)].
| Gross Floor Area | Number of Loading Areas | Size of Each Loading Area |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 30,000 sq. ft. | None | N/A |
| More than 30,000 sq. ft. | 1, plus 1 additional for every 30,000 sq. ft. beyond the first 30,000 | 10 ft. wide x 45 ft. long x 14 ft. high |
Bicycle Parking Requirements
The City of Reno requires specific amounts of bicycle parking for projects within the MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District. These facilities must be located within a building or covered by a roof or awning [Section 18.04.705(c)].
| Use Category | Requirement (Downtown District) |
|---|---|
| Household Living (e.g., Multi-Family) | 1 space per unit |
| Lodging (e.g., Hotels) | 1 space per 4 guest rooms |
| Community and Cultural Facilities | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. |
| All Other Commercial Uses | 1 per 500 sf (up to 3,000 sf), plus 1 per 5,000 sf of additional area |
Accessible Parking
If a developer chooses to provide off-street vehicle parking in the MD-RD: Mixed-Use Downtown Riverwalk District, those spaces must include a minimum number of accessible spaces for persons with disabilities. These spaces must be provided within 100 feet of the building entrance and count toward any voluntary parking total [Section 18.04.705(b)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.304, MD-RD: Downtown - Riverwalk District
- Section 18.04.702, Applicability (Parking)
- Section 18.04.705, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.708, Off-Street Loading and Stacking
- Section 18.04.1003, General Standards for Urban Districts
- Section 18.04.1004, Supplemental Standards for Downtown Districts (MD-ED & MD-RD)