Restaurant, Cafe, and Bakery Allowances in the City of Reno
In the City of Reno, retail bakeries and restaurants (which include cafes by definition) are primarily permitted in Urban and Employment districts, with standard operations allowed by right in most mixed-use and commercial zones. High-density residential districts such as MF-30 allow these uses subject to a Minor Conditional Use Permit, while the I: Industrial district specifically limits food service to restaurants with alcohol service.
Permitted Zoning Districts for Food and Beverage Uses
The City of Reno Annexation and Land Development Code classifies cafes under the broader "Restaurant" definition. Permissions for these uses depend on whether the establishment is a retail bakery, a standard restaurant, or a restaurant providing alcohol service.
Table: Allowed Districts for Food and Beverage Establishments
| Zoning District | Bakery, Retail | Restaurant (includes Cafes) | Restaurant with Alcohol Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| MF-21 (Multi-Family) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Conditional (C) |
| MF-30 (Multi-Family) | Minor Conditional (M) | Minor Conditional (M) | Conditional (C) |
| MD-ED (Downtown Entertainment) | Minor Conditional (M) | Minor Conditional (M) | Permitted (P) |
| MD-UD, MD-ID, MD-RD, MD-NWQ, MD-PD | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| MU (Mixed-Use Urban) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| MS (Mixed-Use Suburban) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| GC (General Commercial) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| NC (Neighborhood Commercial) | Permitted (P) | Minor Conditional (M) | Minor Conditional (M) |
| PO (Professional Office) | Minor Conditional (M) | Minor Conditional (M) | Permitted (P) |
| MU-MC / MU-RES (Midtown) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| I (Industrial) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Permitted (P) |
| IC (Industrial Commercial) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| ME (Mixed Employment) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| MA (Mixed-Use Airport) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
[Table 3-1]
Use Definitions and Standards
The City of Reno provides specific definitions to distinguish between the scale and nature of these establishments:
- Bakery, Retail: A facility that sells bakery and related items. These establishments are permitted to provide catering services [Section 18.09.301].
- Restaurant: Defined as a retail business licensed to serve food and beverages with a minimum gross floor area of 200 square feet. This definition explicitly includes cafes, coffee shops, sandwich shops, and ice cream parlors [Section 18.09.301].
- Restaurant with Alcohol Service: A retail business licensed for the on-premises consumption of food and alcoholic beverages. In the GC, I, IC, and ME districts, these must include a full commercial kitchen, and lounge areas cannot exceed 30 percent of the total gross floor area [Section 18.03.304(b)(2)].
Parking Requirements
The City of Reno utilizes a "Parking District" system to determine the number of off-street spaces required. Requirements vary significantly between the downtown core and other areas of the municipality.
Table: Off-Street Parking Standards
| Use Type | Level 1 Parking District (MU, MU-MC) | Level 2 Parking District (All Other Applicable Zones) |
|---|---|---|
| Bakery, Retail | No Minimum | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
| Restaurant | No Minimum | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
| Restaurant with Alcohol Service | No Minimum | 1 per 200 sq. ft. |
Note: There is no minimum parking requirement for any of these uses within the Mixed-Use Downtown (MD-) districts [Section 18.04.705(a)(1)].
Specific District Constraints
In certain areas of the City of Reno, additional regulations apply:
- Professional Office (PO) District: Standard restaurants and bakeries require a Minor Conditional Use Permit, but a restaurant with alcohol service is permitted by right [Table 3-1].
- Industrial (I) District: Standard cafes and retail bakeries are prohibited to preserve the district for heavy industrial use; however, restaurants with alcohol service are permitted [Table 3-1].
- Mixed-Use Airport (MA) District: While restaurants are permitted, they must be organized so that aviation-related uses are closest to the airfield, with more intensive uses buffered from adjacent residential areas [Section 18.04.1104(a)(1)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.03.206, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 18.03.304, Commercial Uses (Use-Specific Standards)
- Section 18.04.705, Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 18.04.1104, District-Specific Standards (Mixed-Use Airport)
- Section 18.09.301, Definitions of Use Categories and Use Types