Off-Street Parking Standards for the MD-UD: Mixed-Use Downtown University District
In the MD-UD: Mixed-Use Downtown University District of the City of Reno, there are no minimum requirements for off-street motor vehicle parking for residential or commercial projects [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)a]. However, all developments within the MD-UD: Mixed-Use Downtown University District must comply with mandatory minimum bicycle parking ratios and must ensure that any voluntarily provided motor vehicle parking meets specific ADA accessibility and dimensional design standards [Section 18.04.705(b) and (c)].
Motor Vehicle Parking Requirements
The City of Reno classifies the MD-UD: Mixed-Use Downtown University District as part of the "Downtown Parking District." Under the Land Development Code, there is no minimum off-street parking requirement for any land use within this district [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)a]. Developers may choose to provide parking at their discretion to meet market demands, provided the layout and design meet City of Reno safety and aesthetic standards.
Accessible Parking Requirements
If a developer chooses to provide motor vehicle parking in the MD-UD: Mixed-Use Downtown University District, they must provide accessible (ADA) parking spaces. These are calculated based on the total number of spaces actually provided on-site, rather than a required minimum [Section 18.04.705(b)(3)a].
| Total Parking Spaces Provided | Minimum Number of Accessible Spaces Required |
|---|---|
| 1 to 25 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 4 |
| 101 to 150 | 5 |
| 151 to 200 | 6 |
| 201 to 300 | 7 |
| 301 to 400 | 8 |
| 401 to 500 | 9 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 2% of total |
| 1,001 and over | 20, plus 1 for each 100 (or fraction thereof) over 1,000 |
Source: [Table 4-7]
Bicycle Parking Requirements
Unlike motor vehicle parking, the City of Reno mandates minimum bicycle parking for projects within the MD-UD: Mixed-Use Downtown University District. The MD-UD district falls under the "Downtown and Level 1" category for these requirements [Section 18.04.705(c)].
| Use Category | Minimum Bicycle Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Household Living (e.g., multi-family) | 1 per unit |
| Group Living (e.g., dorms, SROs) | 1 per 2 bedrooms |
| Education and Healthcare Facilities | 1 per 500 square feet |
| Lodging (Hotels/Motels) | 1 per 4 guest rooms |
| All Other Commercial Uses | 1 per 500 sf (up to 3,000 sf), plus 1 per 5,000 sf of additional area |
| Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Minimum of 10 spaces |
Source: [Table 4-8]
Design and Layout Standards
Any parking or loading facilities constructed in the MD-UD: Mixed-Use Downtown University District must adhere to specific City of Reno configuration rules:
Parking Placement and Setbacks
- Street-Facing Garages: Must be set back 20 feet as measured from the sidewalk or planned sidewalk to the face of the garage [Table 2-18].
- Frontage Requirements: Within the MD-UD district, a minimum of 60 percent of the primary street frontage must be comprised of building wall or pedestrian amenities, which limits the placement of surface parking lots along the street [Section 18.04.1003(a)(7)].
- Loading Areas: Nonresidential developments exceeding 30,000 square feet must provide at least one off-street loading area (10 ft wide x 45 ft long x 14 ft high) [Table 4-11].
Parking Stall Dimensions
Standard parking spaces in the City of Reno must follow the dimensional requirements based on the angle of the stall.
| Stall Angle | Stall Width | Aisle Width (Two-Way) |
|---|---|---|
| 0° (Parallel) | 8'0" to 10'0" | 12.0' |
| 45° | 9'0" | 13.0' |
| 90° (Perpendicular) | 9'0" | 24.0' |
Source: [Table 4-10]
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.305: MD-UD: Downtown - University District
- 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 18.04.1003: General Standards for Urban Districts