Reno's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Reno, Nevada, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Water Restrictions

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) enforces year-round watering schedules in Reno. Assigned watering days by address, no watering between 11 AM and 7 PM May-September, and mandatory drought-stage restrictions when triggered.

Key details: Authority: TMWA Truckee Meadows Water Authority. Midday Ban: No watering 11 AM - 7 PM May-Sep. Schedule: Assigned days by address. Rebates: Up to 3000 dollars turf conversion. Runoff: Violation - water reaching street.

First warning: written notice. Second: 50 dollars. Third: 100 dollars. Subsequent: up to 500 dollars plus possible flow restriction.

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

Grass Height Limits

Reno Municipal Code 8.12 requires weeds and grass to be kept under 6 inches on improved lots. Noxious weeds and dry vegetation constitute a fire hazard and public nuisance, subject to abatement under RMC 8.12.020.

Key details: Max Height: 6 inches on improved lots. Notice Period: 10 days. Abatement Fee: Cost plus 250 dollars. WUI Override: Defensible space rules apply. Rural Exemption: Parcels over 1 acre.

Notice: 10 days to cut. City abatement: labor cost plus 250 dollars administrative fee. Repeat offender: misdemeanor up to 500 dollars.

Native Plants

Reno strongly encourages xeriscape and native plantings suited to the high-desert Great Basin climate. TMWA and the City of Reno offer water-efficient landscape rebates and Plant a Tree programs featuring drought-adapted species.

Key details: Climate: Zone 6b-7a, 7 inches annual precip. Rebate: Up to 3000 dollars via TMWA. Recommended: Sagebrush, penstemon, blue grama. Discouraged: Juniper (fire risk). Workshops: UNR Cooperative Extension free classes.

None specific - program is incentive-based, not mandatory. HOAs may still require minimum plant coverage.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Reno gives residents more flexibility on native plants.

Rainwater Harvesting

Nevada AB 138 (2017) explicitly legalized residential rainwater harvesting for non-potable use. Reno homeowners may collect rainwater from rooftops into barrels or cisterns without a permit for landscape irrigation.

Key details: State Law: AB 138 (2017) permits rooftop collection. Permit: Not required for typical rain barrels. Use: Non-potable, same parcel. Large Cisterns: Coordinate with State Engineer over 20000 gal. Workshops: UNR Cooperative Extension.

Selling or transferring harvested rainwater: violation of NRS 533 water-rights law. Large uncovered cisterns creating mosquito breeding: Washoe Health nuisance.

Reno is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Trees on private property in Reno may generally be removed without a permit, but heritage trees, public right-of-way trees, and trees within approved landscape plans for new development require Urban Forestry approval per RMC 12.16.

Key details: Private Trees: No permit on owner-installed trees. Street Trees: Permit required, 1-for-1 replacement. Hazard Trees: Expedited approval. HOAs: May impose stricter rules. Authority: Reno Urban Forestry.

Illegal removal of street tree: 500-2500 dollars plus replacement cost. Landscape-plan violation: stop work order and restoration.

Tree Trimming

Reno residents may trim trees on their own property without a city permit. Trees overhanging streets or sidewalks must maintain 8 feet clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets per RMC 12.16. Utility line trimming is handled by NV Energy.

Key details: Sidewalk Clearance: 8 ft minimum. Street Clearance: 14 ft minimum. Permit: Not required on private trees. Utility Lines: NV Energy handles free. Boundary Line: Trim to line, no trespass.

Branches obstructing sidewalk/street: notice to abate within 30 days, then city trims with cost recovery. Willful damage to a neighbor's tree: civil treble damages under NRS 40.140.

The rules around tree trimming in Reno lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Weed Ordinances

Reno classifies noxious weeds and tall dry vegetation as public nuisances under RMC 8.12. Cheatgrass, tumbleweeds, and state-listed noxious weeds must be removed. Nevada Department of Agriculture enforces NRS 555 noxious weed statutes.

Key details: Noxious Categories: A, B, C under NRS 555. High Risk Local: Cheatgrass, tumbleweed. Notice: 10 days to abate. Abatement Fee: Cost plus 250 dollars. ID Help: UNR Cooperative Extension.

Notice: 10 days. City abatement with cost recovery plus 250 dollar admin fee. Category A noxious weeds: additional state penalties up to 500 dollars per NRS 555.

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

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is legal on residential lots in Reno with no specific permit for ground-level installations. Quality requirements apply under zoning and HOA rules. TMWA rebates exclude pure synthetic turf; converted areas must include living plants.

Key details: City Permit: Not required for ground-level. TMWA Rebate: Requires 50 percent living plants. Drainage: Must not cause neighbor runoff. WUI: Recommended setback from structures. HOAs: May restrict or require approval.

Poor-quality installation causing drainage onto neighbor: civil nuisance. HOA violations: private fines per CC&Rs.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Reno gives residents more flexibility on artificial turf.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Reno gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 4 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Reno's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.