Off-Street Parking Standards for the I: Industrial District in the City of Reno
In the City of Reno, the I: Industrial district is classified as a Level 2 Parking District for the purpose of calculating off-street parking requirements. Standard ratios include one space per 1,000 square feet for manufacturing uses and one space per 3,300 square feet for warehousing and distribution centers. Because the City of Reno prohibits residential uses within the I: Industrial district, no residential parking requirements are established for this zone.
District Classification and Applicability
Under the City of Reno Land Development Code, all zoning districts that are not specifically located within the Downtown or Level 1 (Mixed-Use Urban/Midtown) districts are classified as "Level 2 Parking Districts" [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)]. Consequently, all industrial and commercial projects within the City of Reno's I: Industrial district must comply with the Level 2 parking ratios specified in the code's general parking table [Section 18.04.705(a)].
Industrial and Commercial Parking Ratios
The City of Reno requires that parking be provided in proportion to the gross floor area of the specific use. In cases where a use is not explicitly listed, the Administrator may determine the requirement based on the most similar occupancy classification or a specific parking demand study [Section 18.04.704(c)].
The following table outlines the minimum off-street parking requirements for common uses allowed in the City of Reno I: Industrial district:
Table: Level 2 Parking Ratios for the I: Industrial District
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing and Processing | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Storage, Distribution, and Warehousing | 1 per 3,300 sq. ft. |
| Data Center | 1 per 3,300 sq. ft. |
| Office, General | 1 per 400 sq. ft. |
| Call Center | 1 per 50 sq. ft. of computer/telephone bank area, plus 1 per 250 sq. ft. office |
| General Retail (Less than 10,000 sq. ft.) | 1 per 250 sq. ft. |
| Building, Lumber, and Landscape Sales | 1 per 550 sq. ft., plus 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of outdoor storage |
| Restaurant (with or without alcohol) | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
| Auto Service and Repair | 1 per 350 sq. ft. |
| Wholesale | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Mini-warehouse | 1 per 3,000 sq. ft. |
| Outdoor Storage | 1 per 3,000 sq. ft. of land area |
[Source: Section 18.04.705, Table 4-6]
Off-Street Loading and Stacking
For nonresidential developments in the I: Industrial district, the City of Reno mandates specific loading area requirements to ensure that the loading and unloading of materials occur entirely within the property lines [Section 18.04.1103(a)(3)].
Table: Required Off-Street Loading
| 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 sq. ft. | 10 ft. wide x 45 ft. long x 14 ft. high |
[Source: Section 18.04.708, Table 4-11]
Design, Construction, and Site Standards
Development within the City of Reno I: Industrial district must adhere to specific site design and construction standards regarding parking:
- Paving Requirements: All off-street parking areas in the I: Industrial district must be surfaced with a minimum of two inches of asphaltic concrete or Portland concrete over an approved aggregate base [Section 18.04.707(f)].
- Truck Staging: The use of public streets for the parking or staging of trucks awaiting loading is strictly prohibited in the I: Industrial district. Sites must be designed to accommodate all necessary maneuvers without backing from the street [Section 18.04.1103(b)(1)].
- Pedestrian Access: At least one direct pedestrian entrance must be provided from the public street and sidewalk to the building, featuring a minimum five-foot-wide walkway separated by a curb or landscaping [Section 18.04.1103(b)(2)].
- Maintenance: Off-street parking and loading areas must be maintained to prevent the accumulation of debris, litter, and dust [Section 18.04.703(b)].
Residential Use Restrictions
The City of Reno Table of Allowed Uses indicates that most residential uses—including single-family detached homes, multi-family dwellings, and even accessory dwelling units or caretaker quarters—are prohibited in the I: Industrial district [Section 18.03.206, Table 3-1]. Because these uses are not permitted, the City of Reno does not provide residential parking ratios for this specific district.
Sections Cited
- Section 18.03.206, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.04.703, General Standards
- Section 18.04.704, Calculation of Parking and Loading Requirements
- Section 18.04.705, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.707, Off-Street Parking Layout and Design
- Section 18.04.708, Off-Street Loading and Stacking
- Section 18.04.1103, General Standards for Employment Districts (I, IC, ME & MA)