Setback Standards for the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District in Reno
Development within the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District in the City of Reno must maintain a minimum front setback of 12 feet, which is measured from the back of the curb. Principal buildings in this Reno district are required to have 5-foot side setbacks and a 20-foot rear setback, although rear setbacks for accessory structures are reduced to 5 feet. A zero-foot setback may be allowed along an alley if specific vehicle backup requirements are met.
Primary Setback Requirements
The City of Reno establishes specific building placement standards for the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District to preserve the unique historic character of the neighborhood. These standards distinguish between principal buildings and accessory structures.
MD-PD: Lot and Building Standards Table
| Setback Type | Principal Building | Accessory Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 12 ft (and 3 ft from sidewalk) | 12 ft (and 3 ft from sidewalk) |
| Side | 5 ft | 5 ft |
| Rear | 20 ft | 5 ft |
| Street-Facing Garage | 20 ft from sidewalk | N/A |
[Table 2-19]
Measurement and Special Conditions
Front Setback Measurements
In the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District, front setbacks are not measured from the property line as is common in many other districts. Instead, Reno code requires that these setbacks be measured from the back of the curb or the proposed curb [Section 18.04.1003(a)(2)]. Additionally, buildings must be set back at least 3 feet from the actual or planned sidewalk [Table 2-19].
Alley Access Exceptions
The City of Reno allows for a reduction in the required side and rear setbacks within the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District when an alley is present. A minimum zero-foot setback is permitted if the property line abuts an alley and the site provides at least 24 feet of backup space from all garage doors (this 24-foot calculation includes the width of the alley itself) [Table 2-19, Note 5].
Street-Facing Garages
To maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment in the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District, Reno requires that any street-facing garage be set back a minimum of 20 feet. This distance is measured from the sidewalk (or planned sidewalk) to the face of the garage [Table 2-19].
Additional Compatibility and Grading Standards
Residential Adjacency Stepbacks
When a new building in the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District is constructed adjacent to certain residential districts (such as Large-Lot or Single-Family districts), Reno requires a "stepback" to protect the scale of the neighborhood. For any portion of a building exceeding 24 feet in height, a minimum of an additional 1-foot horizontal setback (or a 1:1 building height/stepback ratio) is required for every foot of height over 24 feet [Section 18.04.903(c)(1)].
Grading Near Property Lines
Reno development standards for the MD-PD: Mixed-Use Downtown Powning District also restrict how the ground can be altered near shared property lines to prevent drainage and aesthetic issues. The following restrictions apply:
- No fill may be placed within 5 feet of a shared property line.
- Within 20 feet of the shared property line, fill depths cannot exceed the natural grade by more than 4 feet.
- Within 50 feet of the shared property line, fill depths cannot exceed the natural grade by more than 8 feet.
[Section 18.04.1404(a)]
Sections Cited
- Table 2-19: MD - PD: Lot and Building Standards
- Section 18.04.903: General Standards for Residential Districts (Compatibility)
- Section 18.04.1003: General Standards for Urban Districts (Measurement)
- Section 18.04.1404: Grading (Residential Adjacency)