Washoe County, NV Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- HDS / MDS
- 50% of lot
- LDS
- 25% of lot
- HDR / MDR
- 20% / 15%
- LDR
- 10% or 80,000 sq ft
- Code section
- WCC 110.306.10(a)
Summary
Washoe County Development Code caps combined building footprints by regulatory zone: 50% in Medium/High Density Suburban, 25% in Low Density Suburban, 20% HDR, 15% MDR, and 10% (or 80,000 sq ft) in Low Density Rural.
On lots in the High Density Suburban (HDS) and Medium Density Suburban (MDS) Regulatory Zones, the combined area... of all building footprints on the lot shall not exceed 50 percent of the total lot acreage; On lots in the Low Density Suburban (LDS) Regulatory Zones... shall not exceed 25 percent.
Full Breakdown
Washoe County Development Code Section 110.306.10(a) sets lot-coverage limits on the combined area of all building footprints on a lot: 50 percent in High and Medium Density Suburban (HDS, MDS); 25 percent in Low Density Suburban (LDS); 20 percent in High Density Rural (HDR); 15 percent in Medium Density Rural (MDR); and 10 percent of total lot acreage or 80,000 square feet, whichever is less, in Low Density Rural (LDR). Parcels 40 acres or larger in General Rural (GR/GRA), and all parcels in Commercial, Industrial and Urban zones, are exempt from these lot-coverage limitations. Coverage is measured as the square footage of all building footprints on the lot.
Violations & Fines
Adding structures that push combined footprints over the zone's coverage limit is a Development Code violation; a variance or footprint reduction may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my lot can I build on?
Are large rural parcels exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washoe County
Compare Washoe County to another location·View the Nevada building setbacks & zoning overview
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