Residential Home Occupation Regulations in the City of Reno
Residents in the City of Reno may operate a home occupation as an accessory use in most residential and mixed-use districts, provided the business is conducted entirely within the dwelling or a legal accessory dwelling unit and does not exceed 25% of the living space or 500 square feet. Regulations strictly prohibit outdoor storage, on-site retail sales to customers, and more than one non-resident employee, while requiring that the property maintain its primary residential appearance and character. Specific activities like auto repair or heavy industrial work are expressly prohibited as home occupations within the City of Reno [Section 18.03.405(k)].
Authorized Zoning Districts
In the City of Reno, a "Home Occupation" is classified as an allowed accessory use ("A") in a wide variety of base zoning districts. This means the use is permitted as a secondary activity to a primary residential use.
According to the City of Reno Table of Allowed Uses, these districts include:
- Residential Districts: LLR-2.5, LLR-1, LLR-.5 (Large-Lot), SF-3, SF-5, SF-8, SF-11 (Single-Family), and MF-14, MF-21, MF-30 (Multi-Family).
- Urban Districts: MD-ED, MD-UD, MD-ID, MD-RD, MD-NWQ, MD-PD (Downtown), MU (Mixed-Use Urban), MS (Mixed-Use Suburban), GC (General Commercial), NC (Neighborhood Commercial), PO (Professional Office), MU-MC (Midtown Commercial), and MU-RES (Midtown Residential).
- Special Districts: PF (Public Facility) and UT-5, UT-10, UT-40 (Unincorporated Transition) [Table 3-1].
Operational and Physical Standards
The City of Reno enforces strict quantifiable standards to ensure that home-based businesses do not negatively impact the surrounding residential neighborhood.
| Standard Category | City of Reno Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Floor Area | The lesser of 25% of the living space or 500 square feet [Section 18.03.405(k)(7)]. |
| Non-Resident Employees | Maximum of one (1), provided adequate off-street parking is available. Not allowed if the business operates in an accessory building [Section 18.03.405(k)(3)]. |
| Client Traffic (Vehicles) | No more than one (1) client car may be on-site at any one time [Section 18.03.405(k)(5)]. |
| Client Limits (Non-Driving) | Up to six (6) clients (e.g., students for music lessons) may be on-site at once if they do not drive [Section 18.03.405(k)(15)]. |
| Commercial Vehicles | Limited to one (1) vehicle not exceeding 8,000 pounds gross unladed weight, or a single-vehicle limousine service [Section 18.03.405(k)(6)]. |
| Storage | No outdoor storage of materials or equipment is permitted [Section 18.03.405(k)(8)]. |
Appearance and Neighborhood Character
The City of Reno requires that the home occupation be conducted in a manner that does not alter the residential character of the dwelling. This includes prohibitions on the use of colors, materials, or lighting that make the structure look like a business rather than a home. Furthermore, the business must not produce noise, dust, odors, fumes, smoke, or vibrations detectable off the premises [Section 18.03.405(k)(1)].
Location within the Property
Home occupations must be secondary to the residential use of the property. They may be located within the principal residence or an existing, legally established accessory dwelling unit (ADU). If the business is conducted in an attached garage, it must not permanently eliminate the garage's required off-street parking capacity [Section 18.03.405(k)(9)].
Prohibited Uses and Activities
Certain business types are explicitly forbidden as home occupations in the City of Reno due to their potential for high impact or incompatibility with residential life.
- Retail Sales: The City of Reno prohibits the sale of merchandise that requires customers to visit the property [Section 18.03.405(k)(4)]. Merchandise must not be visible from outside the dwelling [Section 18.03.405(k)(8)].
- Specific Prohibited Businesses: Auto repair, equipment painting, heavy equipment repair, and heavy industrial activities are strictly prohibited [Section 18.03.405(k)(16)].
- Hazardous Materials: Storage of toxic or hazardous materials, including ammunition and gunpowder, is not allowed [Section 18.03.405(k)(8)].
- Interference: The business may not use equipment that creates audible interference in radio or television receivers or causes fluctuations in line voltage outside the dwelling unit [Section 18.03.405(k)(12)].
Advertising Restrictions
Public advertising that includes the residential address or calls attention to the business being conducted at the dwelling is prohibited in the City of Reno, unless specifically required by Nevada Revised Statutes. However, the home address may appear on business cards, letterhead, and invoices [Section 18.03.405(k)(11)].
Special Provisions for Large-Lot Districts
In the City of Reno LLR-2.5 and LLR-1 (Large-Lot Residential) districts, poultry or hog farms are permitted specifically as home occupations, provided they meet the standard home occupation criteria [Section 18.03.304(a)(2)].
Sections Cited
- Chapter 18.01, Article 2 (Purpose)
- Chapter 18.03, Article 2 (Table of Allowed Uses)
- Section 18.03.304 (Commercial Uses)
- Section 18.03.405 (Standards for Specific Accessory Uses)
- Section 18.09.302 (Accessory Uses)