Off-Street Parking Requirements for the SF-3: Single-Family Residential District
In the City of Reno, the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district follows the standards set for the Level 2 Parking District. For residential projects, the primary requirement for a single-family detached home is one parking space per 1,250 square feet of gross floor area, though this is capped at a maximum of three spaces per unit. Because the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district prohibits nearly all commercial uses by right, nonresidential parking requirements primarily apply to allowed civic uses such as religious assemblies and schools.
Applicable Parking District
The City of Reno categorizes all zoning districts into specific parking tiers to determine minimum requirements. The SF-3: Single-Family Residential district is classified under the Level 2 Parking District [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)c].
Properties located within the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district that are within 600 feet of a Downtown or Level 1 parking district may be eligible for a specialized parking reduction, calculated as an average between the Level 2 minimum and the adjacent district's minimum [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)c.2].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential projects within the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district must meet the following minimum ratios based on the Level 2 standards:
| Use Type | Level 2 Parking Requirement (Minimum) |
|---|---|
| Dwelling, Single-Family Detached | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. (not to exceed 3 per unit) |
| Manufactured Home | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. (not to exceed 3 per unit) |
| Mobile Home Subdivision | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. (not to exceed 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 |
| Guest parking (in WANP Overlay) | 1 space per 9 dwelling units |
[Table 4-6; Section 18.04.705]
Nonresidential and Civic Parking Requirements
While standard "Commercial Uses" (such as retail, offices, or restaurants) are generally prohibited in the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district, certain public, institutional, and civic uses are permitted by right or through a conditional use permit. These "nonresidential" projects must adhere to the following Level 2 standards:
| Use Type | Level 2 Parking Requirement (Minimum) |
|---|---|
| Religious Assembly | 1 per 300 sq. ft. |
| School, Primary | 1 per classroom AND 1 per 100 students (design capacity) |
| School, Secondary | High School: 1 per 1.5 students, faculty, and staff; Middle School: 2 per classroom + 1 per 100 students |
| Childcare Center | 1 per 400 sq. ft. |
| Public Park or Recreation Area | Discretionary - based on demand study [Section 18.04.704(d)] |
| Cemetery or Mausoleum | 1 per 200 sq. ft. used for viewing or services |
[Table 4-6; Section 18.04.705]
Design and Location Standards in the SF-3 District
The City of Reno imposes specific design restrictions on how parking is situated on lots within the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district to preserve neighborhood character.
Prohibited Locations
In the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district, off-street parking is strictly prohibited within the front yard setback area [Section 18.04.903(a)(3)b]. The only exception to this rule is for parking located directly on driveways serving single-family, duplex, or triplex residences.
Driveway and Curb-Cut Specifications
For residential projects in the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district, driveways must meet the following dimensions:
- Minimum Width: 12 feet at the curb cut.
- Maximum Width: 30 feet at the curb cut.
- Separation: There must be at least 28 feet between two or more curb cuts on the same property.
- Length: A driveway must be at least 20 feet long, measured from the back of the sidewalk (or planned sidewalk) to the face of the garage door or the end of the paving [Section 18.04.903(a)(3)c; Section 18.04.601(a)(1)d-e].
Tandem Parking
Tandem parking (where two or more vehicles are parked end-to-end) is permitted in the SF-3: Single-Family Residential district only for household living uses where all tandem spaces are assigned to the same residential unit [Section 18.04.709(a)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.204 SF-3: Single-Family Residential
- Section 18.03.206 Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.04.601 Vehicle Access/Circulation and Traffic Analysis
- 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