Reno's Special Events & Permits: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles special events & permits a little differently. In Reno, Nevada, there are 6 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.

Block Party Permits

Reno requires a special event permit for any planned gathering of 75+ people that closes or uses a city street, including neighborhood block parties.

Key details: Trigger: gathering of 75+ persons on a street. Permit issued by: city manager. Fees: application fee + city services fee. Park use: separate Chapter 8.23 park permit. Small exemption: 75 or fewer in a park, 24-hr notice.

It is unlawful to conduct, operate, maintain, or manage a special event without a permit, or to sell/give away tickets before submitting a completed application; the city manager can deny or reject an incomplete application.

Park Event Permits

Reno requires a park permit for any group meeting, concert, or gathering of more than 25 people in a public park, plus exclusive-use permits for picnic shelters and athletic fields.

Key details: Threshold: Permit required: groups over 25 people. Reservable facilities: Exclusive-use permits needed for shelters, fields. Apply through: Parks, recreation and community services department. Overlap rule: Special events also need RMC 5.13 permit. Exemption: Expressive gatherings of 75 or fewer exempt.

Holding an unpermitted group event over 25 people, or using a reservable facility without a permit, is a code violation; violators may be excluded from the park and lose deposits or fees.

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

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés

Reno requires an outdoor dining permit before any restaurant can put tables on a sidewalk or in the public right-of-way, and the dining area must leave six feet of sidewalk clear for pedestrians.

Key details: Permit needed: Outdoor dining permit required before setup. Sidewalk clearance: Six feet must stay clear for pedestrians. Safety buffer: Ten feet from hydrants, exits, bus stops. Review time: Administrator decides within 30 days. Enforcement: Permit suspendable or revocable for violations.

Setting up sidewalk dining without a permit, blocking the required six-foot pedestrian path, or violating a permit condition can get the outdoor dining permit suspended or revoked by the city.

Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way

Reno exempts film and TV production from its special-event permit chapter entirely, but only because a separate film permit under Chapter 5.20 takes over instead.

Key details: Governing chapter: RMC Ch. 5.20, not 5.13. Special-event permit: Not required for filming. Film permit: Still required under Ch. 5.20. Applies to: Motion picture, TV, still photography.

Conducting a film/TV/photo shoot on city property without the required Chapter 5.20 film permit is unlawful; the special-event permit under Chapter 5.13 does not substitute for it and vice versa.

Parade Permits

Reno requires a special event permit for any parade, march, or planned gathering of 75 or more people on city streets or parks, filed with the city manager at least 90 days before setup begins.

Key details: Permit authority: City Manager, RMC Ch. 5.13. Application window: 90 days to 12 months ahead. Trigger: 75+ people or street closure. Late fee: 10% of city fee or $100. Penalty: $100 fine per violation.

Running a parade or special event without a permit is a misdemeanor; the city can also issue a $100 administrative fine per violation under RMC § 5.13.230, plus permit suspension or revocation.

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

Street Fair Rules

Reno requires a special event permit before any street fair or festival, and every vendor selling inside the venue must carry a City of Reno business license or a temporary vendor license.

Key details: Permit required: Special event permit, RMC § 5.13.030. Vendor ID: Business license or temp vendor license. Fine: $100 per violation, § 5.13.230. Application window: 90 days to 12 months ahead.

Selling without authorization or a business/temporary vendor license (RMC § 5.13.150(d), § 5.13.170) draws a $100 administrative fine per violation under § 5.13.230, plus possible criminal penalty under § 1.04.010.

The Bottom Line

Reno is tougher than many cities when it comes to special events & permits. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 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, where we track updates as they happen.