Reno Professional Office (PO) Zoning District Guide
The PO: Professional Office zoning district in the City of Reno is a transitional zone intended for small-scale office developments and residential conversions, requiring a minimum lot size of 3,000 square feet and a lot width of 50 feet. While the standard maximum building height is 35 feet, the City of Reno allows for heights up to 55 feet through a minor site plan review process. General office uses and financial institutions are permitted by right, but new residential dwellings on small sites must be oriented toward the primary street frontage to maintain neighborhood character.
Purpose of the PO District
The City of Reno established the PO: Professional Office district to accommodate office conversions and small-scale office developments [Section 18.02.311]. This district is specifically designated for transitional areas identified in the City of Reno Master Plan or for areas immediately adjacent to residential neighborhoods, serving as a buffer between more intensive commercial activities and lower-density housing [Section 18.02.311].
General Character and Design Standards
The character of the PO district is defined by its transitionality and compatibility. In the City of Reno, new construction within the PO district must be consistent in scale and architecturally compatible with existing principal structures in the surrounding area [Section 18.04.1005].
Specific site layout requirements include:
- Building Orientation: New buildings on sites smaller than two acres must be oriented toward the primary street frontage [Section 18.04.1003].
- Parking Placement: On sites smaller than 15,000 square feet, the City of Reno prohibits surface parking spaces from being located between the front of the primary office building and the adjacent primary access street [Section 18.04.1005].
- Landscaping: The PO district requires a minimum of 20 percent of the gross land area to be permanently landscaped [Section 18.04.804].
Technical Development Standards
The following table outlines the specific lot and building requirements for the PO: Professional Office district in the City of Reno.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 3,000 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 ft. |
| Minimum Front Setback | 10 ft. |
| Minimum Side Setback | 5 ft. |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 10 ft. |
| Street-Facing Garage Setback | 20 ft. from sidewalk/planned sidewalk |
| Minimum Building Separation | 10 ft. |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 ft. (up to 55 ft. via Minor Site Plan Review) |
[Section 18.02.311 and Section 18.04.1005]
Permitted and Conditional Land Uses
The PO district allows for a mix of residential, office, and limited retail uses. Below are some of the key uses identified in the City of Reno Table of Allowed Uses.
Residential Uses
- Permitted by Right (P): Single-Family Detached, Single-Family Attached, and Multi-family dwellings.
- Minor Conditional Use (M): Duplex, Triplex, and Fourplex dwellings [Section 18.03.206].
Public and Institutional Uses
- Permitted by Right (P): Religious Assembly, Adult Education, and Childcare Centers.
- Discretionary Review: Major Government Facilities and Public Parks require specialized review based on demand studies [Section 18.03.206].
Commercial and Office Uses
- Permitted by Right (P): General Office, Financial Institutions, Recording Studios, Wedding Chapels, and Personal Services.
- Retail: General Retail (less than 10,000 square feet) and Convenience Stores are permitted by right [Section 18.03.206].
Accessory and Temporary Uses
- Accessory (A): Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), Caretaker Quarters, and Home Occupations.
- Temporary: Real Estate Sales Offices and Garage Sales are permitted temporarily [Section 18.03.206].
Parking Requirements
The PO district falls under the "Level 2 Parking District" standards for the Municipality of Reno.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Office | 1 per 400 sq. ft. |
| Financial Institution | 1 per 400 sq. ft. |
| General Retail (< 10k sq. ft.) | 1 per 250 sq. ft. |
| Single-Family Detached | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. (not to exceed 3 per unit) |
| Multi-family | 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. (not to exceed 2 per unit) |
[Section 18.04.705]
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.311 PO: Professional Office
- Section 18.03.206 Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.04.705 Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.804 Minimum Landscaping Required
- Section 18.04.1003 General Standards for Urban Districts
- Section 18.04.1005 Supplemental Standards for Other Urban Districts