Reno Specific Plan District (SPD) Setback and Development Standards
In the City of Reno, the SPD: Specific Plan District does not have fixed, universal setback distances; instead, front, side, and rear setbacks are determined on a project-specific basis within an approved Specific Plan District Handbook. These handbooks are generally based on an existing base zoning district, but allow for modified dimensional standards that must be demonstrated to provide a benefit over achievement within a standard zone.
Establishment of Setbacks in the SPD: Specific Plan District
Unlike traditional residential or commercial zones in the City of Reno, the SPD: Specific Plan District is a special purpose district designed to accommodate unique projects where the configuration of uses requires functional integration. Because these projects often involve complex layouts that do not fit standard categories, the City of Reno requires the applicant to establish the specific lot and building standards—including setbacks—at the time the property is rezoned to SPD [Section 18.02.506].
The following table outlines how setbacks and other dimensional requirements are determined for the SPD: Specific Plan District:
| Standard Category | SPD: Specific Plan District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | Defined in the project-specific SPD Handbook [Section 18.08.504] |
| Side Setback | Defined in the project-specific SPD Handbook [Section 18.08.504] |
| Rear Setback | Defined in the project-specific SPD Handbook [Section 18.08.504] |
| Minimum Lot Size | Case-by-case; must be a minimum of ten contiguous acres [Section 18.02.507] |
| Relationship to Base Zones | Standards should be based on an existing base zone district [Section 18.02.506] |
| Modification Limits | Public safety, natural resources, and infrastructure standards cannot be modified [Section 18.02.506] |
Specific Plan District Handbook Requirements
To establish setbacks and other development regulations for a new SPD: Specific Plan District, the applicant must submit a comprehensive handbook to the City of Reno. This document serves as the regulatory framework for the property and must include:
Rationale and Modifications
The handbook must provide a statement of purpose explaining the rationale for the SPD: Specific Plan District zoning. It must explicitly list each proposed modification from the standard City of Reno zoning district provisions that would otherwise apply. If a standard is not specifically modified in the SPD handbook, the original district standards remain in effect [Section 18.08.504].
Delineation of Uses and Structures
The City of Reno requires the applicant to provide a plan that clearly delineates the location of proposed land uses, the location of all structures, and the placement of improvements and open space [Section 18.08.504].
Demonstration of Benefit
A critical component of the application for an SPD: Specific Plan District is the "Demonstration of Benefit." The applicant must provide documentation showing how the proposed SPD plan—including its custom setbacks and building placements—provides a benefit to the City of Reno that could not be achieved under a standard base zone district [Section 18.08.504].
Review and Approval Criteria
The City of Reno evaluates the proposed setbacks and design features of an SPD: Specific Plan District based on whether the plan incorporates innovative layouts or configurations that result in a higher quality of development than what would be accomplished through strict application of a base zoning district. Once the City of Reno grants final approval, the SPD Handbook is certified and filed with the county recorder, after which it governs all development on that site [Section 18.08.504].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.506, SPD: Specific Plan District
- Section 18.02.507, PUD: Planned Development (Minimum Size Reference)
- Section 18.08.504, Rezoning to Specific Plan District
- Section 18.09.301, Special Purpose District (Definitions)