Animal Ordinances in Reno, NV: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Reno or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Reno has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Bird Protection

Reno bans feeding waterfowl, birds or wildlife in city parks except at three designated spots, and only with food made for wildlife, not bread or crackers.

Key details: Governing law: Reno Municipal Code § 8.23.175. Allowed spots: Idlewild, Teglia's Paradise, Virginia Lake parks. Allowed feed: Commercial wildlife feed only. Banned feed: Bread, crackers, human food. Penalty class: Code violation.

Feeding birds/waterfowl outside the three designated park locations, or feeding them bread/crackers/human food anywhere, is a code violation citable by park rangers or Reno police.

Chickens & Livestock

Reno allows up to 12 fowl per lot under its Urban Farm accessory-use standard, which applies by right in every zoning district in the city, but that same rule bars hoofed animals and livestock from the site entirely.

Key details: Fowl limit: 12 per lot, Urban Farm use. Livestock: No hoofed animals or livestock. Where allowed: By right, all zoning districts. Horses: >4 horses needs 1+ acre lot. Long-term permit: Minor CUP if farm exceeds 3 years.

Keeping more than 12 fowl, keeping any hoofed animals or livestock under the Urban Farm use, or housing more than four horses on a lot under one acre is a zoning standards violation subject to code enforcement and permit denial or revocation.

Wildlife Feeding

Reno prohibits feeding waterfowl, birds, or wildlife in city parks except at three designated pond locations, where only commercial wildlife feed is permitted, not bread or crackers.

Key details: Rule: No wildlife feeding in city parks. Exceptions: 3 ponds: Idlewild, Teglia's, Virginia Lake. Allowed feed: Commercial wildlife feed only. Banned feed: Bread, crackers, human food. Penalty: Code violation.

Feeding wildlife outside the three designated ponds, or feeding bread or crackers even within them, is a Code violation under RMC § 8.23.175, enforced by Reno parks staff.

Compared to other cities, Reno takes a harder line on wildlife feeding. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Dog Leash Laws

Washoe County Code 55.100 requires dogs to be on a leash in public areas within the congested areas of the county, which include Reno. The code sets no leash length. Reno has no city animal ordinance.

Key details: Leash: Required, no length specified. Governing law: Washoe County Code 55.100. City ordinance: None; Reno ceded animal law. Enforced by: Washoe County Regional Animal Services. Exempt areas: Dog parks, shows, training.

An off-leash dog in a public area of the congested areas violates Washoe County Code 55.100, enforced by Washoe County Regional Animal Services with civil penalties under the county schedule.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Reno actively enforces its dog leash laws requirements.

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Reno zoning sets district-specific rules for animal clinics, hospitals, shelters, boarding kennels, and training facilities, with lot-size and indoor-operation requirements that vary by district.

Key details: Min. lot size (LLR/UT districts): 2.5 acres. ME/Urban districts: pens/boarding must be indoor. Outdoor runs: conditional use permit required. Governing code: RMC Title 18, § 18.03.304(a)(1).

Operating outdoor runs or kennel activities without the required conditional use permit, or placing pens/boarding outdoors in the ME or Urban Districts, is a zoning code violation subject to code enforcement action under RMC Title 18.

Pet Store Rules

Reno pet stores and commercial establishments cannot sell dogs or cats retail. Small breeders under the county's commercial-breeder threshold are exempt, and stores may still host rescue adoptions.

Key details: Rule: Retail dog/cat sales banned. Exemption: Small breeders under county threshold. Adoption allowed: Rescue partnerships, no store fee. Enacted: Ord. No. 6575, Aug. 12, 2020.

Selling a dog or cat at retail through a pet store or commercial establishment violates § 4.04.067(1) unless the seller qualifies as an exempt small breeder under Washoe County's commercial breeder threshold.

Compared to other cities, Reno takes a harder line on pet store rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Beekeeping

Bees fall under the Urban Farm use in Land Development Code § 18.09.301, which covers bees and up to 12 fowl. Table 3-1 lists Urban Farm as a minor conditional use permit (M) in all 32 zoning district columns, and § 18.03.304(a)(4) requires that permit for any operation meant to run beyond three years.

Key details: Governing use: Urban Farm, defined to include bees and up to 12 fowl. Permit type: Minor conditional use permit (M) in all 32 district columns. Permit trigger: Any operation intended to run beyond three years. Temporary option: Three-year temporary principal use with registration and site plan. Accessory structure cap: 12 feet high and 120 square feet without a building permit.

The use-specific standards state no penalty figure of their own. Conduct that breaks them includes running an urban farm beyond three years without the minor conditional use permit, keeping more than 12 fowl, keeping any hoofed animal or livestock, building an accessory structure over 12 feet or 120 square feet without a building permit, letting the public occupy a structure without one, selling products not grown on site, and operating outside 6:00 a.m. to sunset.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Reno actively enforces its beekeeping requirements.

The Bottom Line

Reno is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Reno, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Reno can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.