Business Licensing & Operations in Reno, NV (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Reno, Nevada, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Reno confines adult businesses to the I, IC, and ME zoning districts and requires 750 feet from residential zones, schools, and parks, plus 500 feet between adult businesses.
Reno Adult Business Zoning
Significant RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 18.03.304(f)(1)c
Adult businesses, as defined in 18.09 Article 3 may be located in the I, IC and ME Districts provided they comply with all of the following: ... No adult business may be located within 750 feet of any: [a]Residentially zoned district; [b]Public or private university, college, or school; [c]Preschool or childcare facility licensed by the Washoe County Social Services Department; or [d]Park or pl...
Massage Establishments
Reno requires a massage establishment business license before any business offering massage can operate, on top of the individual therapist's state license.
Massage establishment license
Significant RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 5.23.020
It is unlawful for any person to operate, manage or maintain a business wherein massages are performed unless such a person holds a valid massage establishment business license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Tobacco Retail License
Reno requires an annual business license plus a privileged license for every tobacco paraphernalia retail business, i.e., smoke shops, before selling paraphernalia inside city limits.
Reno Smoke Shop License Requirement
Some RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 5.19.020
Every person engaged in, or proposing to engage in, the tobacco paraphernalia retail business in the city shall obtain an annual business license and a privileged license for such sales. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the tobacco paraphernalia retail business in the city without the person... first obtaining and maintaining a valid privilege license for the sale of tobacco par...
Secondhand Dealers
Reno lets the city council attach conditions to a secondhand dealer's license, including barring a dealer from also pawnbrokering or trading precious metals at the same location.
Reno Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Significant RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 5.08.125
The City Council may place conditions, limitations or restrictions upon a secondhand dealer's license. Such conditions may include but are not limited to prohibiting a secondhand dealer from: (1) Dealing in both precious metals and other types of secondhand goods at the same location; (2) Pawnbrokering at the same location; (3) Engaging in a business subject to regulation under NRS Chapter 604A...
Pawnbrokers
Pawnbrokers in Reno need an annual license the first year and a quarterly license after that, plus a separate auto pawn license to accept vehicle titles as collateral, under Reno Municipal Code Chapter 5.08.
Reno pawnbroker licensing rules
Significant RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 5.08.020
Every person engaged in, or proposing to engage in, the business of a pawnbroker in the city shall obtain an annual license during the first year of operation and a quarterly license thereafter. Every person engaged in, or proposing to engage in, the business of a secondhand dealer or antique dealer in the city shall obtain an annual license.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
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.
Reno: Home Auto Repair Ban
Heavy RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 18.03.405(j)(16)
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 interpr...
Towing Companies
Reno bars tow and booting companies from removing a vehicle from private property without the owner's consent unless specific warning signs are posted: no signage means the tow or boot is illegal.
Reno Non-Consent Towing Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsReno Municipal Code § 6.10.040
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e), an operator of a tow car or booting company shall not tow a vehicle from or boot a vehicle on private property at the request of the owner or person in lawful possession of the property...unless a sign or signs are displayed on the property in accordance with NRS 487.038, any applicable municipal and county ordinances and subsection (d).
Looking for Washoe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reno city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Washoe County →