Setback and Development Standards for PUD: Planned Development in Reno
In the City of Reno, the PUD: Planned Development district does not have fixed, uniform numerical setback requirements for front, side, or rear yards. Instead, all dimensional standards, including setbacks, lot sizes, and building heights, are established on a project-specific basis through a Tentative PUD Plan that must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved by the City of Reno City Council [Section 18.02.507(d)].
| Regulation Type | PUD: Planned Development Requirement in the City of Reno |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | Determined by the individual approved Tentative PUD Plan |
| Side Setback | Determined by the individual approved Tentative PUD Plan |
| Rear Setback | Determined by the individual approved Tentative PUD Plan |
| Standard Basis | Generally based on a selected existing base zone district |
| Primary Approval Authority | City of Reno City Council |
Establishment of Setbacks in the PUD District
The PUD: Planned Development district is intended to provide flexibility beyond the strict application of standard zoning districts in exchange for more creative and imaginative designs that provide public benefits [Section 18.02.507(a)]. Consequently, the specific setback requirements for any given property zoned as a PUD: Planned Development are contained within that project's specific approved plan documents rather than a general table in the City of Reno Land Development Code.
Basis for Standards
While the PUD: Planned Development district allows for customized standards, the City of Reno requires that all development and design standards generally be based on an existing base zone district [Section 18.02.507(e)]. The project applicant is responsible for demonstrating the benefits of any proposed modifications to the setbacks or other standards that would otherwise apply in a standard zoning district [Section 18.02.507(e)].
Site and Building Intensity
Under the City of Reno code, the PUD: Planned Development district must meet health, safety, and welfare requirements while reflecting "good planning practices" [Section 18.02.507(d)]. The City Council evaluates the following intensity standards during the approval process:
- Lot size and coverage;
- Building height;
- Distance between buildings; and
- Street widths [Section 18.02.507(d)].
The Approval Process for PUD Setbacks
Because the PUD: Planned Development district relies on customized regulations, the setbacks are proposed and vetted during the three-phase rezoning and planning process.
Tentative PUD Plan
The specific dimensional standards, including setbacks, are a primary focus during the review and consideration of the Tentative PUD Plan [Section 18.08.505(c)]. This phase provides the opportunity for the City of Reno and the public to evaluate the scale of development and the land use mix [Section 18.08.505(e)].
Required Findings
Before the City of Reno City Council can approve a PUD: Planned Development and its associated setbacks, it must find that the plan ensures any departures from standard zoning and subdivision regulations (such as reduced setbacks or increased density) are in the public interest [Section 18.08.505(g)]. The Council also evaluates if the PUD: Planned Development is compatible with the neighborhood in which it is proposed [Section 18.08.505(g)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.507, PUD: Planned Development
- Section 18.08.505, Rezoning to Planned Unit Development