Off-Street Parking Standards for the MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District
The MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District in the City of Reno has no minimum off-street motor vehicle parking requirements for residential, commercial, or mixed-use projects. While vehicle parking is not mandated, developers must still provide bicycle parking and meet specific loading area requirements for large-scale nonresidential developments.
Motor Vehicle Parking Requirements
The City of Reno classifies the MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District as part of the "Downtown Parking District." According to the City of Reno land development code, there is no minimum parking requirement for any use within this specific district [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)a].
While there are no minimums, the City of Reno does not impose a maximum limit on the number of parking spaces a developer may choose to provide [Section 18.04.705(a)(2)]. However, if a developer in the MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District elects to provide a large amount of parking, the following standards apply:
- Large Parking Areas: Any development providing 600 or more parking spaces must place at least 70 percent of those spaces within a parking garage [Section 18.04.707(d)(2)].
- Accessible Parking: If off-street parking is provided, accessible (handicapped) spaces must be included. These are calculated based on the total number of spaces provided, not the number required by the code [Section 18.04.705(b)(3)a].
Bicycle Parking Requirements
Unlike motor vehicle parking, bicycle parking is mandatory for most new developments in the MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District. The requirements are determined by the "Downtown and Level 1 Parking Districts" standards [Section 18.04.705(c)(1)].
Required Bicycle Parking Ratios (MD-ED District)
| Use Category | Requirement (Downtown and Level 1) |
|---|---|
| Household Living (e.g., Multi-Family) | 1 space per unit |
| Group Living (e.g., Dorms, SROs) | 1 space per 2 bedrooms |
| Community and Cultural Facilities | 1 space per 300 square feet |
| Education and Healthcare Facilities | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Lodging | 1 space per 4 guest rooms |
| All Other Commercial Uses | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. (up to 3,000 sq. ft.), plus 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. of additional area |
| Public and Quasi-Public | Minimum of 10 spaces |
| Industrial | 1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. (up to 60,000 sq. ft.), plus 1 per 60,000 sq. ft. of additional area |
[Table 4-8]
Off-Street Loading Requirements
Nonresidential projects within the MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District must provide off-street loading areas if they exceed specific size thresholds. These areas are intended to accommodate delivery and service vehicles entirely within the property lines of the lot [Section 18.04.708(a)(1)].
Required Off-Street Loading (MD-ED District)
| 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 initial 30,000 | 10 ft. wide x 45 ft. long x 14 ft. high |
[Table 4-11]
General Design and Maintenance
If a property owner in the MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District chooses to provide off-street parking, the City of Reno requires that the surfaces be maintained in good condition, free of structural hazards, and clear of debris or litter [Section 18.04.703(b)]. Additionally, all off-street parking and loading areas must be paved with asphaltic or Portland concrete [Section 18.04.707(f)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.301, MD-ED: Downtown - Entertainment District
- Section 18.04.703, General Standards
- 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
- Table 4-8, Bicycle Parking Requirements
- Table 4-11, Required Off-Street Loading