Setback Requirements for the MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District in Reno
In the City of Reno MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District, front setbacks are 18 feet along Virginia and Fourth Streets and 12 feet on all other streets, measured from the back of the curb. While side and rear setbacks are generally 0 feet, a 5-foot minimum is required when the MD-ED property is immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property. Additionally, street-facing garages must be set back at least 20 feet from the sidewalk or planned sidewalk [Table 2-14].
MD-ED Dimensional Setback Standards
The following table outlines the specific setback requirements for development within the MD-ED: Mixed-Use Downtown Entertainment District in the City of Reno:
| Setback Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front (Virginia Street and Fourth Street) | 18 feet [1] |
| Front (All other streets) | 12 feet [1] |
| Side | 0 feet [2][3] |
| Rear | 0 feet [2][3] |
| Street-Facing Garage | 20 feet (from sidewalk or planned sidewalk) |
| Building Separation | 10 feet between principal buildings |
Notes:
- Front setbacks in the City of Reno MD-ED district are measured from the back of the curb or the proposed curb [Section 18.04.1003(a)(2)].
- A minimum zero-foot setback is permitted if the property line abuts an alley and at least 24 feet of backup space (including the alley) is provided from all parking spaces or garage doors [Table 2-14, Note 3].
- If the MD-ED building is located immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property, a minimum setback of 5 feet is required [Table 2-14, Note 4].
Measurement and General Application
In the City of Reno, front setbacks for the MD-ED district are unique because they are measured from the back of the curb rather than the property line [Section 18.04.1003(a)(2)]. If the City's adopted Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) identifies a street-widening project, the setback must be measured from the future planned back of the curb [Section 18.04.1003(a)(2)a.1]. If an existing building is already closer than the minimum required distance, the maximum possible setback must be provided without requiring the removal of the existing structure [Section 18.04.1003(a)(2)a.2].
Sidewalk and Streetscape Components
The front setback areas in the MD-ED district are intended to accommodate specific pedestrian and streetscape elements. The required setbacks must be improved with the following components [Section 18.04.1003(a)(4)]:
18-Foot Front Setbacks (Virginia and Fourth Streets)
- Sidewalk: A minimum obstruction-free sidewalk width of six feet.
- Amenity/Furniture Zone: An eight-foot area between the back of the curb and the sidewalk for parallel parking clearance, street trees, street furniture, light poles, or bus shelters.
- Active Zone: A four-foot area between the sidewalk and the building facade for window shopping and street furniture. This area must be paved or landscaped.
12-Foot Front Setbacks (All Other Streets)
- Sidewalk: A minimum obstruction-free sidewalk width of six feet.
- Amenity/Furniture Zone: A six-foot area between the back of the curb and the sidewalk to accommodate parallel parking clearance and streetscape elements. This area must be paved or landscaped.
Residential Adjacency and Compatibility
To reduce the impact of intensive downtown development on nearby neighborhoods, the City of Reno requires MD-ED developments to adhere to specific adjacency standards. If an MD-ED building is built within 150 feet of a property zoned Large-Lot (LL), Single-Family (SF), or Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District (MD-PD), it must comply with additional compatibility standards [Section 18.04.1003(c)(1)]. This includes horizontal step-backs for any portion of a building exceeding 24 feet in height to ensure an appropriate transition between the high-intensity entertainment district and lower-density residential areas [Section 18.04.903(c)(1)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.301 MD-ED: Downtown - Entertainment District
- Section 18.04.903 General Standards for Residential Districts
- Section 18.04.1003 General Standards for Urban Districts
- Table 2-14 MD-ED: Lot and Building Standards