Reno Detached Garage and Accessory Building Setback Requirements
In the City of Reno, the distance a detached garage or accessory building must be from a property line depends primarily on the specific zoning district and the height of the structure. While side setbacks in most residential districts are 5 feet, rear setbacks vary between 5 and 30 feet, with many districts allowing a reduced setback for single-story structures that do not exceed 16 feet in height. Generally, the City of Reno prohibits placing any accessory structure between the front property line and the principal building.
Residential District Setback Standards
For residential properties in the City of Reno, the minimum setbacks for accessory structures (including detached garages) are defined by the base zoning district. A critical distinction is made in many districts for the rear setback: a "lower" setback applies to single-story accessory structures up to 16 feet in height, while taller structures must meet the "higher" standard [Section 18.02.201].
Table: Accessory Structure Setbacks by Residential District
| Zoning District | Front Setback (Min) | Side Setback (Min) | Rear Setback (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLR-2.5 (Large-Lot Residential) | 30 ft | 15 ft | 30 ft (15 ft if ≤ 16' height) |
| LLR-1 (Large-Lot Residential) | 30 ft | 12 ft | 30 ft (12 ft if ≤ 16' height) |
| LLR-0.5 (Large-Lot Residential) | 30 ft | 10 ft | 30 ft (12 ft if ≤ 16' height) |
| SF-3 (Single-Family) | 30 ft* | 5 ft | 30 ft (5 ft if ≤ 16' height) |
| SF-5 (Single-Family) | 10 ft* | 5 ft | 20 ft (5 ft if ≤ 16' height) |
| SF-8 (Single-Family) | 10 ft* | 5 ft | 20 ft (5 ft if ≤ 16' height) |
| SF-11 (Single-Family) | 10 ft* | 5 ft | 20 ft (5 ft if ≤ 16' height) |
| MF-14 (Multi-Family) | 10 ft | 5 ft | 20 ft (5 ft if ≤ 16' height) |
| MF-21 (Multi-Family) | 15 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| MF-30 (Multi-Family) | 15 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft |
*Note: In SF-3, SF-5, SF-8, and SF-11 districts, accessory structures must be located behind the front face of the existing principal structure [Table 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10].
General Rules for Accessory Structures
Beyond district-specific tables, the City of Reno Land Development Code applies several general rules to the placement of detached buildings:
- Front Yard Prohibition: In Large-Lot (LLR), Single-Family (SF), and Unincorporated Transition (UT) districts, accessory structures are strictly prohibited between the front property line and the principal structure [Section 18.03.403].
- Structure Separation: A minimum separation of 3 feet is required between the accessory structure and any other structures on the same lot [Table 3-6].
- Alley Access: If a property line abuts an alley, a zero-foot setback is permitted for the garage if at least 24 feet of backup space is provided from the garage door to the opposite side of the alley [Section 18.02.204].
- Street-Facing Garages: Most districts require a 20-foot to 30-foot setback for the face of a street-facing garage to ensure vehicles do not overhang into the sidewalk or public right-of-way [Section 18.02.301].
Neighborhood-Specific Restrictions
Certain areas within the City of Reno are subject to additional Overlay District standards that may supersede or refine base zoning rules.
Greenfield Neighborhood Plan (GF)
In the Greenfield Neighborhood, accessory buildings must not be located closer than 3 feet to any main building. If the building is larger than 120 square feet or taller than 10 feet (total height), the minimum side and rear setbacks increase to 10 feet. Smaller structures (≤ 120 sq. ft. and ≤ 10 ft. height) may use a 5-foot setback [Section 18.02.603(b)].
Wells Avenue Neighborhood (WANP)
The City of Reno prohibits garages from protruding toward the street in front of the primary facade of the main house. Detached garages must be located in the rear yard, consistent with the traditional character of the neighborhood. If a driveway provides access to a rear garage from a street frontage, the maximum driveway width within the front and side yard setback is 12 feet [Section 18.02.603(g)].
Plumas Neighborhood (PL)
Accessory buildings in the Plumas Neighborhood Residential Core must be located behind the front face of the principal structure and are subject to a maximum height of 25 feet or two stories [Section 18.02.603(e)].
Rules of Measurement
Setbacks in the City of Reno are measured as the horizontal distance between the property line and the nearest portion of the structure [Section 18.09.205]. On irregularly shaped lots, the rear setback is typically measured from the lot line farthest from the front lot line [Section 18.09.205].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.105 Classification of Annexed Land
- Section 18.02.201 LLR-2.5: Large-Lot Residential
- Section 18.02.204 SF-3: Single-Family Residential
- Section 18.02.301 MD-ED: Downtown - Entertainment District
- Section 18.02.603 Neighborhood Planning Area Overlay Districts
- Section 18.03.402 Accessory Buildings and Structures in Residential Zoning Districts
- Section 18.03.403 Dimensional Standards for Residential Zoning Districts
- Section 18.09.205 Property Line Setback/Yard
- Section 18.09.302 Accessory Uses