Reno, NV Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Auto repair banned as home occupation
- Citation
- RMC § 18.03.405(j)(16)
- List type
- Illustrative, not exhaustive
- Also barred
- Equipment painting, heavy equipment repair
- Where allowed
- Only commercial/industrial zoning districts
Summary
Reno bans auto repair as a home occupation outright: the zoning code names it explicitly as prohibited, alongside equipment painting and heavy equipment repair, no matter how small the operation.
Prohibited Home Occupations The following types of businesses are prohibited as home occupations: auto repair, equipment painting, heavy equipment repair, heavy industrial activities, and similar uses. This provision provides an illustrative list only and shall not be interpreted to exclude other businesses or activities from prohibition as a home occupation according to this section or interpretation by the Administrator.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Administrative Code: Supplement 64 | Land Development Code: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Reno Municipal Code § 18.03.405(j)(16) lists prohibited home occupations, and auto repair tops it: auto repair, equipment painting, heavy equipment repair, and heavy industrial activities may never operate as a home occupation, regardless of scale. The code calls the list illustrative, not exhaustive, so the Administrator can bar comparable trades on the same reasoning. A home occupation that clears (j)'s other tests must still stay within 25 percent of the living space or 500 square feet and can't involve outdoor storage, but auto repair is barred before those limits even come into play.
Violations & Fines
Running auto repair from a residence is not a permitted home occupation; the city can deny or revoke the business license and pursue zoning code enforcement, including citations and an order to cease the use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix cars in my garage in Reno for money?
Does occasional or part-time repair work count?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reno
Compare Reno to another location·View the Nevada business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.