Setback Requirements for MF-30: Multi-Family Residential District in Reno

In the City of Reno, the MF-30: Multi-Family Residential district requires a standard front setback of 15 feet and a rear setback of 10 feet for principal buildings. Side setbacks are generally 5 feet, though these distances may be reduced for developments using specific architectural stepbacks or those bordering alleys with sufficient backup space.

Standard Setback Requirements for MF-30

The City of Reno establishes specific dimensional standards for the MF-30: Multi-Family Residential district to regulate building placement and maintain neighborhood character. The following table outlines the minimum setbacks for both principal buildings and accessory structures within this district.

Setback Type	Principal Building Requirement	Accessory Structure Requirement
Front	15 feet [1] [2]	15 feet [1] [2]
Side	5 feet	5 feet
Side (Zero-Lot-Line Development)	10 feet on one side; 0 feet on other	N/A
Rear	10 feet	5 feet
Street-Facing Garage	20 feet from sidewalk (or planned sidewalk)	20 feet from sidewalk (or planned sidewalk)

Notes for Table:

[1] Stepback Reduction: A 10-foot front setback is permitted in the City of Reno if the site is designed in accordance with the stepback standards defined for compatibility [Section 18.02.210].
[2] Single-Family Use Restriction: On lots within the MF-30: Multi-Family Residential district that have a principal single-family use, accessory structures are prohibited between the front property line and the principal structure [Section 18.02.210].

Specific Exceptions and Modifications

The City of Reno allows for several modifications to the standard MF-30: Multi-Family Residential setbacks based on site-specific infrastructure:

Alley Access Provision

A minimum zero-foot setback is permitted in the MF-30: Multi-Family Residential district when the property line abuts an alley. To qualify, at least 24 feet of backup space (including the width of the alley) must be provided from all garage doors and parking spaces that back onto said alley [Section 18.02.210].

Building Separation

In addition to property line setbacks, the City of Reno requires a minimum separation of 10 feet between principal buildings located on the same lot in the MF-30: Multi-Family Residential district [Section 18.02.210].

Residential Adjacency and Compatibility Standards

When a development in the MF-30: Multi-Family Residential district is built within 150 feet of a lower-density residential property (such as those zoned LL, SF, or MF-14) or a mobile home park, additional height-based setbacks apply:

Height Stepbacks: For any portion of a building exceeding 24 feet in height, the City of Reno requires a 1:1 building height-to-stepback ratio. This means for every foot of height over 24 feet, an additional 1-foot horizontal setback must be added to the building's exterior [Section 18.04.903(c)(1)].
Maximum Height Buffers: If an MF-30: Multi-Family Residential building is within 75 feet of a lower-density residential zone, the total building height is capped at 60 feet. Between 75 and 150 feet of such a zone, the height is capped at 100 feet [Section 18.04.903(c)(2)].
Grading Setbacks: All grading for MF-30: Multi-Family Residential developments must maintain a 5-foot distance from shared property lines where no fill is allowed. Within 20 feet of the shared property line, fill depths are limited to 4 feet [Section 18.04.1404].

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