Off-Street Parking Standards for the SF-11: Single-Family Residential District
Within the City of Reno, the SF-11: Single-Family Residential district is primarily governed by "Level 2 Parking District" standards, requiring one off-street parking space per 1,250 square feet of residential floor area (not to exceed three spaces per unit). While the SF-11 district restricts most commercial activities, permitted civic and limited non-residential uses, such as childcare centers and religious assemblies, generally require one parking space for every 300 to 400 square feet of building area.
General Applicability in the SF-11 District
The City of Reno categorizes the SF-11 district under the Level 2 Parking District. Level 2 requirements apply to all zoning districts that are not specifically designated as Downtown or Level 1 (Mixed-Use) districts [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)(c)]. All parking requirements are calculated based on the gross floor area of the use, excluding structured parking within a building [Section 18.04.704(a)].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential projects in the SF-11 district must provide off-street parking based on the square footage of the individual units. For any calculations resulting in a fraction, the City of Reno rounds up to the nearest whole number if the fraction is .50 or greater [Section 18.09.209].
| Residential Use Type | Level 2 Parking Requirement (Minimum) |
|---|---|
| Dwelling, Single-Family Detached | 1 space per 1,250 sq. ft. (Max 3 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Single-Family Attached | 1 space per 1,250 sq. ft. (Max 3 per unit) |
| Manufactured Home | 1 space per 1,250 sq. ft. (Max 3 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Duplex | 1 space per 1,250 sq. ft. (Max 2 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Triplex | 1 space per 1,250 sq. ft. (Max 2 per unit) |
| Dwelling, Fourplex | 1 space per 1,250 sq. ft. (Max 2 per unit) |
| Group Home | 1 space per 2 resident beds |
Non-Residential and Civic Parking Requirements
Because the SF-11 district is intended primarily for detached residential use, most standard commercial uses (such as retail or offices) are prohibited. However, certain civic, educational, and agricultural uses are permitted by right or via a conditional use permit. These uses must adhere to the following Level 2 standards:
| Non-Residential / Civic Use Type | Level 2 Parking Requirement (Minimum) |
|---|---|
| Childcare Center | 1 space per 400 sq. ft. |
| Religious Assembly | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. |
| School, Primary | 1 per classroom AND 1 per 100 students (design capacity) |
| Adult Education | 1 space per 400 sq. ft. |
| Animal Clinic / Hospital | 1 space per 330 sq. ft. |
| Library, Art Gallery, or Museum | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. |
Accessible and Bicycle Parking
Projects in the SF-11 district must also provide designated accessible (ADA) parking spaces and bicycle parking.
Accessible Parking
The number of required accessible spaces is determined by the total number of parking spaces provided for the project [Section 18.04.705(b)].
| Total Parking Spaces Provided | Minimum Number of Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
| 1 to 25 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 3 |
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle parking requirements for the SF-11 district (Level 2) vary significantly by use. Residential uses generally require 1 space per unit, while civic uses like childcare centers require 1 space per 400 square feet [Table 4-8].
Design and Location Standards
In the SF-11 district, the City of Reno mandates specific location rules for parking:
- Front Setback Restrictions: Off-street parking is generally prohibited within the front yard setback unless the parking is located on a driveway for a single-family, duplex, or triplex residence [Section 18.04.903(a)(3)(b)].
- Driveway Dimensions: For residential driveways in the SF-11 district, the width at the curb cut must be between 12 feet and 30 feet. If there are multiple curb cuts on one property, they must be separated by at least 28 feet [Section 18.04.601(a)(1)(e)].
Sections Cited
- 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 18.04.903, General Standards for Residential Districts
- Section 18.09.209, Rounding