PO: Professional Office Zoning in the City of Reno
The PO: Professional Office district in the City of Reno is intended for small-scale office developments and residential conversions, primarily situated in transitional areas or adjacent to residential neighborhoods. The designation permits a variety of residential, civic, and light commercial uses while maintaining a height limit of 35 feet, which may be extended to 55 feet through a minor site plan review [Section 18.02.311]. Most developments must provide a minimum of 20% landscaped area and adhere to specific "Level 2" parking requirements [Section 18.04.804, Section 18.04.705].
Lot and Building Standards
New construction or significant renovations within the PO: Professional Office District must comply with the dimensional requirements established by the City of Reno.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 3,000 square feet |
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet |
| Minimum Front Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 5 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Street-Facing Garage Setback | 20 feet |
| Minimum Building Separation | 10 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet (up to 55 feet with Minor Site Plan Review) |
| Minimum Landscape Area | 20% of gross land area |
[Table 2-24, Table 4-13]
Allowed Uses in the PO District
The City of Reno land development code classifies uses into those permitted by right, those requiring specific permits, and those allowed only as accessory functions.
Residential Uses
- Permitted by Right: Dwelling, Single-Family Detached; Manufactured Home.
- Permitted with Standards: Dwelling, Single-Family Attached (requires a conditional use permit if 50 or more units are proposed) [Section 18.03.302].
Civic and Public Uses
- Permitted by Right: Adult Education; Childcare Center; Community and Cultural Facilities (Library, Art Gallery, Museum); Minor Government Facility; Private Club, Lodge, or Fraternal Organization; Public Park or Recreation Area; Religious Assembly.
- Permitted with Standards: School, Public or Private [Section 18.03.303].
Commercial and Professional Uses
- Professional Services: General Office; Financial Institution; Call Center; Recording Studio.
- Healthcare: Medical Facility, Day Use (outpatient only).
- Food and Beverage: Bakery, Retail; Restaurant (non-drive-through).
- Retail: Convenience Store; General Retail (both under and over 10,000 square feet); Plant Nursery or Garden Supply.
- Personal Services: Cleaners, Commercial (drop-off only); Personal Service, General.
- Recreation: Amusement or Recreation (Inside); Country Club, Private.
Utilities and Transportation
- Permitted by Right: Communication Facility, Equipment Only; TV Broadcasting and Other Communication Service; Utilities, Minor; Parking Lot, Open.
- Conditional Use Required: Utilities, Major.
[Table 3-1]
Accessory and Temporary Uses
Specific secondary activities allowed within the City of Reno's PO: Professional Office District include:
- Permitted Accessory (A): Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU); ATM (Freestanding); Ball Court; Caretaker Quarters; Home Occupation; Live Entertainment; Outdoor Storage; Satellite Dish; Sidewalk Seating; Alternative Utility Systems.
- Conditional Accessory (C): Drive-Through Facility (requires a conditional use permit).
- Permitted Temporary (P): Construction Field Office; Garage Sale; Real Estate Sales Office; Stockpiling; Urban Farm; Vegetation Management.
[Table 3-1]
Prohibited Uses
If a use is not specifically listed in the City of Reno's Table of Allowed Uses for the PO District, it is generally prohibited [Section 18.03.204]. Key prohibited uses include:
- Residential: Multi-family Dwellings, Triplexes, Fourplexes, and Mobile Home Parks.
- Group Living: Assisted Living Facilities, Boarding Houses, and Transitional Living Facilities.
- Industrial: All manufacturing, processing, and heavy industrial uses.
- Automotive: Auto Service and Repair, Gas Stations, and Car Washes.
- Entertainment: Bar/Lounge/Tavern, Adult Businesses, and Gaming Operations (except restricted accessory operations).
- Specific Retail: Pawn Shops and Package Alcohol Sales (as a primary use).
[Table 3-1]
Specific Development Standards for PO
The City of Reno mandates additional site-specific regulations for the PO: Professional Office District to ensure compatibility with neighbors:
- Parking Location: On sites smaller than 15,000 square feet, off-street surface parking spaces are prohibited between the front of the primary building and the adjacent primary access street [Section 18.04.1005].
- Architectural Compatibility: New construction must be consistent in scale and architecturally compatible with other principal structures in the area [Section 18.04.1005].
- Residential Adjacency: Nonresidential developments must comply with noise, odor, and grading standards when built within 300 feet of a residential zoning district [Section 18.04.1402].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.311: PO: Professional Office
- Section 18.03.204: Use for Other Purposes Prohibited
- Section 18.03.206: Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.03.302: Residential Uses
- Section 18.03.303: Public, Institutional, and Civic Uses
- Section 18.04.705: Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.804: Minimum Landscaping Required
- Section 18.04.1005: Supplemental Standards for Other Urban Districts (PO)
- Section 18.04.1402: Applicability (Residential Adjacency)
- Section 18.09.205: Property Line Setback/Yard
- Section 18.09.207: Height