Setback Requirements for the NC: Neighborhood Commercial District in Reno
In the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district of the City of Reno, buildings generally require a minimum front setback of 10 feet and a minimum side or rear setback of 0 feet. These requirements are subject to specific adjustments, most notably a mandatory increase to a 10-foot minimum setback for any side or rear yard that is immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property. Additionally, street-facing garages within the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district must be set back at least 20 feet from the sidewalk.
NC: Neighborhood Commercial Development Standards
The City of Reno establishes specific lot and building standards for the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district to ensure that development is consistent in scale and design with adjacent neighborhoods [Section 18.02.310]. Unlike some other urban districts where setbacks are measured from the curb, the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district measures its setbacks from the property line [Section 18.04.1003(a)(4)d].
Table of Setback Requirements
The following table outlines the minimum setbacks required for primary structures and improvements within the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district:
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement | Notes and Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 10 ft | Measured from the property line [Section 18.02.310, Table 2-23]. |
| Side | 0 ft | Increases to 10 ft if the property is immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned area [Section 18.02.310, Table 2-23]. |
| Rear | 0 ft | Increases to 10 ft if the property is immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned area [Section 18.02.310, Table 2-23]. |
| Street-Facing Garage | 20 ft | Measured from the sidewalk (or planned sidewalk) to the face of the garage [Section 18.02.310, Table 2-23]. |
Specific Exceptions and Rules of Measurement
The City of Reno Annexation and Land Development Code provides for several specific conditions that may alter the standard application of setbacks in the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district.
Alley Abutment Exception
A minimum zero-foot setback is permitted for any property line that abuts an alley, provided that at least 24 feet of backup space (inclusive of the alley width) is provided for all garage doors and parking spaces that utilize the alley for access [Section 18.02.310, Table 2-23, Note 1].
Residential Adjacency
To protect the character of established residential neighborhoods, the City of Reno mandates that if an NC: Neighborhood Commercial building is located immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned property, a minimum setback of 10 feet must be maintained for the applicable side or rear yard [Section 18.02.310, Table 2-23, Note 2].
General Rules of Measurement
In the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district, setbacks are measured as the horizontal distance between the property line and the nearest portion of the building or structure [Section 18.09.205(a)(1)a]. If a parcel includes a private roadway or an access easement serving more than four residential units or any nonresidential development, the yard or setback must be measured from the edge of that roadway rather than the property line [Section 18.09.205(a)(1)b].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.310, NC: Neighborhood Commercial
- Section 18.04.1003, General Standards for Urban Districts
- Section 18.09.205, Property Line Setback/Yard