Building Setbacks & Zoning in Washoe County, NV (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washoe County, Nevada.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Washoe County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

Setbacks in unincorporated Washoe County depend on the regulatory zone. Common suburban zones require a 30-foot front yard; rural LDR requires 30-foot front, 50-foot side and 30-foot rear yards, per Table 110.406.05.1.

Building Setback Requirements in Unincorporated Washoe County

Some Restrictions

WCC Table 110.406.05.1; Sec. 110.406.05

Part Three: Yard and Setback Dimensions. LDR Front Yard 30, Side Yards 50, Rear Yard 30. MDR/HDR Front 30, Side 15, Rear 30... All required yard setbacks are measured from the property line.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Most residential and rural regulatory zones in unincorporated Washoe County cap building height at 35 feet. Urban and commercial zones allow more (up to 70-80 feet). Accessory structures in setbacks are limited to 12 feet.

Building Height Limits in Unincorporated Washoe County

Some Restrictions

WCC Table 110.406.05.1 Part One

Part One: Density/Intensity Standards. Height (feet): LDR 35, MDR 35, HDR 35, LDS 35, MDS 35, HDS 35, LDU 40, MDU 70... GC 80, NC 60, GR 35, GRA 35.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

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.

Lot Coverage Limits in Unincorporated Washoe County

Some Restrictions

WCC 110.306.10(a)

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 ordinance details →Official source ↗

Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Washoe County

1 cities in Washoe County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

RenoPop. 264,165

3 verified rules • Lot Coverage Limits, Setback Rules

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