Reno, NV Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- RMC § 8.22.050
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, each day a separate violation
- Cellar guardrail height
- At least 3.5 feet, metal mesh
- Also classified as
- Public nuisance under § 8.22.030
- Enforcement
- City abatement under Chapter 1.05
Summary
Reno Municipal Code makes it unlawful for any owner, lessee, or occupant to let a building, including its cellar or basement, become unsafe or dangerous, with unsecured cellar entryways requiring a guardrail.
No person owning, leasing, renting, having charge or control of or occupying any building, including any part or cellar or basement thereof, shall permit the building to become an unsafe or dangerous building.(b)No person owning, leasing, renting, or having charge, control or possession of any cellar way, exterior opening or entrance to any cellar way, basement or other excavation beneath the sidewalk along any street or alley, shall cause or permit the cellar way, exterior opening or entrance to be opened or remain open, except during the time the cellar way, exterior opening or entrance is actually in use, or cause or permit the cellar way, exterior opening or entrance to remain open without a proper guardrail around the same. The guardrail is to be constructed of metal, not less than three and one-half feet from the ground level with metal mesh screen, and is to be maintained in a nonhazardous condition to pedestrians when closed or open. (Ord. No. 6448, § 1, 1-10-18)
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
Under RMC § 8.22.050, no owner, lessee, or occupant may permit a building, including its cellar or basement, to become an unsafe or dangerous building: one that is structurally unsafe, lacks adequate egress, or is otherwise dangerous to life, health, or safety under Chapter 8.22's definitions. The same section requires any open cellar way, basement entrance, or other exterior opening beneath a public sidewalk to stay closed except while actually in use, or else be guarded by a metal guardrail at least three and a half feet high with mesh screening. An unsafe or dangerous building is also listed as a public nuisance under § 8.22.030, exposing the owner to the city's separate nuisance-abatement process.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 8.22.050 is a misdemeanor under § 8.22.040, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; the city may also pursue civil nuisance abatement under Chapter 1.05 to force repairs or removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'unsafe or dangerous' under Reno's code?
What happens if I don't fix an unsafe building in Reno?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reno
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