Pop. 264,165 · Washoe County
Modified exhaust systems, engine revving, and loud stereos are prohibited under RMC and NRS 484D.425. Reno Police enforce vehicle noise citations along Virginia Street, South Meadows, and during Hot August Nights with heightened attention.
Reno enforces nighttime quiet hours in residential zones from 10 PM to 7 AM under Reno Municipal Code Title 8 Chapter 8.20. Unreasonably loud sounds audible at property lines are prohibited, and violations can also be charged under NRS 202.450 disturbance of the peace.
Aircraft noise from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is preempted from local regulation by federal law (FAA). RNO operates a voluntary noise abatement program with preferred departure routes and a nighttime quieter operations policy.
Reno limits residential fences to 6 feet in rear and side yards and 4 feet in front yards under RMC Title 18 zoning. Corner lots have additional visibility triangle rules, and fences over 7 feet generally require a building permit.
Nevada has no statewide fence cost-sharing statute. Reno treats shared fences as civil matters between neighbors. Property line surveys are advised before construction to prevent encroachment disputes.
Pools and spas in Reno require 5-foot barriers on all sides with self-closing, self-latching gates under Nevada Administrative Code and adopted International Residential Code provisions. Drowning prevention rules are enforced at final building inspection.
Fences under 7 feet in Reno generally do not require a building permit, but must still meet zoning rules for height, location, and corner visibility. Fences over 7 feet, on retaining walls, or in floodways require permits.
Corner lots in Reno must maintain a visibility triangle at street intersections and driveways under RMC Title 18. Fences, walls, and landscaping are limited to 3 feet in height within the sight triangle.
Reno permits most standard fence materials including wood, vinyl, metal, masonry, and chain link. Barbed wire and electric fencing are restricted in residential zones. HOAs typically impose stricter material standards.
Reno limits residential pets typically to 3 dogs and 4 cats per household under RMC Title 6 and Washoe County Code Chapter 55. Multi-pet permits are available for responsible owners exceeding these limits.
Reno prohibits keeping dangerous wild animals and exotic species under RMC Title 6 and NRS 503.597. Big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles, and alligators are banned. Most reptiles and small exotics are allowed without permits.
Feeding wildlife (deer, bears, coyotes, raccoons) is prohibited in Reno under RMC and NAC 503.090 due to public safety and human-wildlife conflict concerns, especially in Sierra foothill neighborhoods where black bears are active.
Reno allows backyard hens in residential zones with limits, typically up to 6 hens and no roosters, under RMC Title 18 zoning. Coops must meet setback requirements from property lines and neighbors' dwellings.
Beekeeping is permitted in Reno residential zones with setback and hive limits under RMC zoning provisions. Hives must be set back from property lines, with water sources provided, and registered with Nevada Department of Agriculture.
Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in all public spaces within Reno under RMC Title 6 and Washoe County Code Chapter 55. Off-leash areas are limited to designated dog parks such as Rancho San Rafael and Sparks Marina.
Reno has no breed-specific legislation. Nevada has no statewide breed-ban preemption, but Reno regulates dangerous and vicious dogs individually based on behavior under RMC Title 6, not by breed.
Reno borders open desert and Peavine Mountain, so coyote sightings near homes are common. The city prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife, requires secure trash, and refers serious conflicts to Nevada Department of Wildlife rather than allowing private trapping.
Reno limits households to a reasonable number of dogs and cats, with code enforcement and Washoe County Regional Animal Services investigating hoarding complaints involving neglect, sanitation issues, or cruelty under Nevada NRS 574 cruelty statutes.
Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) enforces year-round watering schedules in Reno. Assigned watering days by address, no watering between 11 AM and 7 PM May-September, and mandatory drought-stage restrictions when triggered.
Trees on private property in Reno may generally be removed without a permit, but heritage trees, public right-of-way trees, and trees within approved landscape plans for new development require Urban Forestry approval per RMC 12.16.
Reno classifies noxious weeds and tall dry vegetation as public nuisances under RMC 8.12. Cheatgrass, tumbleweeds, and state-listed noxious weeds must be removed. Nevada Department of Agriculture enforces NRS 555 noxious weed statutes.
Reno Municipal Code 8.12 requires weeds and grass to be kept under 6 inches on improved lots. Noxious weeds and dry vegetation constitute a fire hazard and public nuisance, subject to abatement under RMC 8.12.020.
Reno strongly encourages xeriscape and native plantings suited to the high-desert Great Basin climate. TMWA and the City of Reno offer water-efficient landscape rebates and Plant a Tree programs featuring drought-adapted species.
Nevada AB 138 (2017) explicitly legalized residential rainwater harvesting for non-potable use. Reno homeowners may collect rainwater from rooftops into barrels or cisterns without a permit for landscape irrigation.
Reno residents may trim trees on their own property without a city permit. Trees overhanging streets or sidewalks must maintain 8 feet clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets per RMC 12.16. Utility line trimming is handled by NV Energy.
Artificial turf is legal on residential lots in Reno with no specific permit for ground-level installations. Quality requirements apply under zoning and HOA rules. TMWA rebates exclude pure synthetic turf; converted areas must include living plants.
Nevada NRS 446.866 allows cottage food operations to produce and sell certain low-risk foods from home kitchens up to 35000 dollars annual gross sales. Washoe County Health District requires registration but not inspection for approved cottage foods.
Reno allows in-home child care when licensed by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health under NRS 432A. A Reno business license is also required and residential character must be maintained per Title 18.
Home occupations in Reno may not display any external signage, window displays, or outdoor indicators of the business per RMC 18.08.305. The residential appearance of the dwelling must be preserved at all times.
Home occupations are allowed in all Reno residential zones with a Home Occupation Permit under RMC 18.08.305. Business must be clearly incidental to residential use, conducted by residents of the home, and cannot alter the residential character.
Customer visits to Reno home occupations are restricted to minimal frequency - typically no more than one client at a time and not more than a few visits per day. No retail foot traffic, classes, or events may be advertised to the public.
Reno requires a business license for all home occupations under Title 5 with zoning compliance under Title 18. Home occupations must be secondary to residential use with no external evidence of business activity.
Reno requires a building permit for all in-ground and above-ground pools over 24 inches deep. Permits are issued by the Reno Community Development Department and require barrier, electrical, and plumbing inspections.
Above-ground pools in Reno follow the same permit and barrier rules as in-ground pools when depth exceeds 24 inches. The pool wall can serve as barrier if 5 feet high and ladder access is secured.
Reno hot tubs and spas over 24 inches deep require permits and must meet barrier rules. A locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 can substitute for a fence on hot tubs. Electrical must be GFCI-protected and bonded.
Reno pool barriers must be at least 5 feet high with self-closing self-latching gates under IRC Appendix G. Doors from the home to the pool area need alarms or approved safety barriers.
Reno pools must comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act for anti-entrapment drain covers. Proper electrical bonding and GFCI protection are required. Diving boards require minimum depth per IRC.
Reno has no citywide overnight parking ban on passenger vehicles, but the 72-hour same-location rule applies. Snow emergencies trigger temporary bans, and UNR-area permit zones restrict overnight parking.
Reno driveway approaches require a Public Works encroachment permit. Residential widths run 12-24 ft, and front-yard driveway area must be paved. Blocking the sidewalk is prohibited.
Reno limits on-street RV and boat parking to 72 hours. On private lots, RVs must be on paved or gravel surfaces, behind the front setback. Most Reno HOAs prohibit RV storage.
Reno prohibits overnight parking of commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs or longer than 22 ft on residential streets. Semi-trucks and heavy equipment must be stored in industrial zones.
Reno and NRS 487.230 allow tagging and towing vehicles abandoned on public streets after 72 hours. Owners have 30 days to reclaim from impound before lien sale. Report via Reno Direct 311.
Reno supports EV charging at public stations and along the Tahoe corridor. Residential Level 2 chargers need an electrical permit. Nevada AB 498 protects renter and HOA-member EV charging rights.
Reno enforces a 72-hour limit on street parking under RMC Chapter 6.06. Downtown has metered zones and time limits, and snow-emergency parking bans apply during winter storms.
Reno STR occupancy is capped at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons, with an overall maximum set in the permit. Occupancy is tied to bedrooms, parking, and septic or sewer capacity.
Reno STRs must register annually with the City of Reno Finance Department, pay the STR business license fee, complete a safety inspection, and provide neighbor notification. Permits are non-transferable.
Reno STRs must collect Washoe County transient lodging tax of 13.5 percent on all stays under 28 days. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit automatically in many cases. Annual Reno STR business license fee also applies.
Reno STRs must comply with city noise rules under RMC Chapter 8.12 with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Operators are responsible for guest noise and can lose their permit for repeated violations.
Reno does not impose a specific annual night cap on owner-occupied or unhosted STRs, but rentals must be under 28 consecutive days per stay. Density and separation rules effectively limit STR saturation in neighborhoods.
Reno STRs must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom under the STR ordinance. Parking diagrams are required at application and guests cannot block driveways, sidewalks, or fire lanes.
Reno requires an STR permit for all rentals under 28 days. The 2021 STR ordinance requires registration, safety inspection, and compliance with density and zoning rules for hosted and unhosted rentals.
Reno STR operators must carry liability insurance of at least 500,000 dollars covering short-term rental activity. Proof of insurance is required at application and at each annual renewal.
Reno previously pushed primary-residence-only STR limits, but Nevada SB 363 (2023) preempts overly restrictive city caps and forces Reno to allow short-term rentals subject only to a 660-foot separation buffer and basic permitting.
Reno applies an escalating enforcement framework to short-term rentals, where repeated verified noise, parking, or occupancy violations within a rolling period can result in permit suspension or revocation, even though state law protects baseline STR access.
Reno requires every short-term rental operator to designate a local contact reachable 24/7, yet does not force the host to live on site, since Nevada SB 363 prevents the city from imposing a strict host-presence-only model.
Reno requires 30-100 feet of defensible space around structures in designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones per TMFPD and NV State Forester Fire Defensible Space Standards. Annual inspections occur in areas like Caughlin Ranch, Somersett, and Mogul.
Open burning of yard waste, trash, and debris is prohibited year-round in Reno city limits per Washoe County Air Quality Management Division AQMD 040.030. Agricultural and prescribed burns require a permit from Nevada Division of Forestry and TMFPD.
Working smoke alarms are required in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of Reno homes per International Residential Code and NRS 477. Rentals must have detectors inspected between tenants.
Reno has formally adopted WUI zones covering western foothill neighborhoods (Caughlin Ranch, Somersett, Mogul, Verdi) and eastern slopes (Hidden Valley, Virginia Foothills). New construction must meet Chapter 7A ignition-resistant building standards.
Reno permits gas and propane fire pits year-round under Reno Municipal Code Title 14. Wood-burning fire pits are restricted during Red Flag warnings and Stage 2+ fire restrictions issued by Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD).
All consumer fireworks are illegal inside Reno city limits year-round. Reno Municipal Code 10.12 bans possession, sale, and discharge. Only licensed public displays are permitted. Violations carry fines up to 1000 dollars and misdemeanor charges.
Small backyard recreational fires are allowed in Reno using approved pits and chimineas, subject to size, clearance, and active fire-restriction rules from TMFPD. Wood fires suspended on Red Flag and No Burn days.
Reno Fire Department enforces International Fire Code propane storage limits, capping residential aboveground tanks and requiring setbacks from buildings, ignition sources, and property lines. Larger tanks need permits and inspections, especially in high desert wildfire interface zones.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations can qualify as ADUs in Reno if they meet IRC Appendix Q (minimum 70 sq ft living area, ladder/loft standards). Tiny homes on wheels (RVIA-certified) are treated as RVs and cannot be used as permanent dwellings.
Carports in Reno are permitted accessory structures on most residential lots, subject to standard setbacks and lot coverage. A building permit is required for any permanent carport; fabric canopy carports are generally treated as temporary.
Sheds 200 sq ft or smaller without electrical or plumbing are exempt from building permits in Reno per IRC R105.2. Larger or utility-connected sheds require a permit and must meet setbacks (typically 5 ft side/rear in SF zones).
Reno allows Accessory Dwelling Units on most single-family lots under RMC Title 18 after 2021 revisions. Detached ADUs up to 1200 sq ft and attached/internal ADUs up to 50 percent of the primary dwelling are permitted with building permits.
Garage conversions to habitable space are allowed in Reno with building permits under IRC provisions. Required off-street parking must be replaced on site. Conversions often register as ADUs subject to ADU rules.
Reno adopted its first comprehensive ADU ordinance on October 8, 2025, implementing Nevada AB 396 (Chapter 365, 2025). The ordinance allows accessory dwelling units citywide in zones permitting single-family homes, with permits processed through Development Services under Reno Municipal Code Chapter 18.03.
Reno charges development impact fees on new ADUs under Nevada NRS Chapter 278B. Sewer connection fees apply where a new lateral or capacity allocation is required. Truckee Meadows Water Authority charges separate water connection fees for any new meter. Building permit and plan review fees are based on construction valuation.
Reno permits long-term ADU rentals (28+ days) without separate registration under the 2025 ADU ordinance. Short-term ADU rentals (under 28 days) require a Reno short-term rental permit under the Administrative Code with significant operational restrictions including 660-foot spacing from other STRs and 2,500-foot setbacks from resort hotels.
Reno's 2025 ADU ordinance does not impose a citywide owner-occupancy mandate; the recently adopted RMC Chapter 18.03 ADU provisions treat ADUs as a permitted use subject to building and zoning standards. Short-term rental of an ADU is separately regulated and may impose owner-occupancy through Reno's STR licensing rules.
Reno follows federal EPA Renovation Repair and Painting rules for pre-1978 homes. Contractors must be EPA-certified lead-safe renovators and sellers and landlords must provide the EPA lead disclosure pamphlet.
Nevada elevators are regulated by the State Public Works Division Elevator Program under NRS 455C. Annual inspections required, plus 5-year full load tests. Permits required for new installation, alteration, and removal.
Reno property maintenance code requires owners to keep premises free of vermin. Washoe County Health District handles vector complaints. NRS 555 governs commercial pesticide licensing.
Reno scaffolding follows IBC and Nevada OSHA NRS 618. Fall protection is required above 10 ft. Scaffolds over sidewalks need a Public Works encroachment permit.
Reno requires NFPA 13D fire sprinklers in new one and two family dwellings under the adopted International Residential Code, with Reno Fire reviewing plans. Casino, hotel, and assembly retrofits follow NFPA 13 with annual inspection and certified contractors.
Reno controls oversized home rebuilds through floor area ratio caps, height limits, and lot coverage rules in the Reno Zoning Code. Older neighborhoods near Newlands and Caughlin Ranch trigger heightened scrutiny when teardown rebuilds exceed established neighborhood scale.
Reno childcare centers need state licensing under NRS 432A plus city building permits, fire inspections, and zoning approval. In-home daycares serving fewer than thirteen children follow lighter rules but still require fire department inspection and zoning compliance.
Nevada HOA disputes go through the Nevada Real Estate Division Ombudsman and the Commission for Common-Interest Communities. Alternative dispute resolution is required before most civil lawsuits under NRS 38.310.
Nevada HOA boards are governed by NRS 116. Boards must hold open meetings with notice, follow quorum rules, and keep minutes. Executive sessions are limited to personnel, legal, and violation matters.
Nevada HOAs enforce CC and Rs under NRS 116.31031. Violations require written notice, hearing, and written decisions. Fines are capped at 100 dollars per violation or 500 dollars for health and safety issues.
Nevada HOAs enforce architectural standards through a committee under NRS 116.2117. Review must follow written rules and provide written decisions. Unreasonable denials are challengeable through NRED.
Nevada HOA assessments are governed by NRS 116.3115 through 116.3116. Assessments become a statutory lien on the unit. Super-priority lien covers up to 9 months of delinquent assessments ahead of first mortgages.
Reno landlords follow Nevada NRS 118A.242, which caps residential security deposits at three months of periodic rent and requires return within thirty days of tenant move-out, with itemized deductions in writing for any withheld amounts.
Reno landlords cannot refuse a tenant solely because rent will be paid through a Section 8 voucher, Social Security, veterans benefits, or other lawful income source, since Nevada AB 218 (2021) added source of income to the state fair-housing protected classes.
Nevada preempts local rent control; Reno cannot cap rents. NRS 118A governs landlord-tenant, requiring 45-day written notice for month-to-month rent increases but no cap on the amount.
Reno follows Nevada state landlord-tenant law under NRS 118A. Nevada does not require just cause for eviction of month-to-month tenants; landlords may terminate tenancies with proper written notice. No local just cause ordinance exists in Reno.
Reno does not operate a general rental registration or annual licensing program for long-term residential rentals. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) require a separate STR permit under Reno Municipal Code Title 4. Standard business licenses may apply to landlords operating multiple units as a business.
Reno requires cannabis retail establishments to maintain minimum separation distances from schools, daycare centers, parks, and community facilities under state-mandated buffer rules and Reno zoning code Title 18.
Nevada AB 341 (2021) authorized cannabis consumption lounges statewide. Reno permits lounges in approved commercial zones subject to Cannabis Compliance Board licensing and Reno special use permit review.
Under Nevada NRS 453D (Question 2, 2016), adults 21+ may grow up to 6 cannabis plants (12 per household) ONLY if they live more than 25 miles from the nearest licensed dispensary. Reno residents live within that 25-mile radius, so home cultivation is effectively prohibited for most households.
Reno allows licensed cannabis dispensaries in specific commercial and industrial zones with state Cannabis Compliance Board licensing and a city business license. Buffer distances from schools, daycares, and houses of worship apply. Reno and Washoe County impose local cannabis taxes in addition to the state 10% retail excise tax.
Washoe County Health District inspects Reno food establishments and posts results to a public database. Reno does not use letter grades but publishes pass, conditional, or closed status with full inspection reports.
Washoe County requires every food worker in Reno restaurants and food trucks to obtain a food handler card within 30 days of hire. Cards are valid for three years and must be presented during inspections.
Nevada law NRS 202.2493 prohibits the sale of tobacco, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21. Reno retailers must verify ID for all buyers appearing under 40 years old.
Nevada has no statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products, leaving flavor regulation primarily to federal FDA authority and limited local action.
Nevada regulates vapor product retailers through state licensing, requiring tobacco retail licenses, age verification, and compliance with otp tax provisions.
Reno residents qualify for TMWA rebates when replacing live turf with low-water xeriscape; program incentivizes high-desert-appropriate plants and reduces Truckee River draw.
Reno Stead and Truckee Meadows reclamation facilities supply tertiary-treated reclaimed water for golf courses, parks, and approved commercial irrigation under purple-pipe identification rules.
TMWA enforces assigned-day watering for Reno residents; even/odd address numbers determine permitted days, with strict no-watering windows during midday hours and full bans during winter.
Reno Master Plan establishes Downtown Mixed-Use and Casino Entertainment districts with overlay rules requiring gaming licenses, hotel-tower height bonuses, and pedestrian-oriented frontages along Virginia Street.
Reno hillside overlay restricts grading, building height, and density on slopes above 15 percent, protecting Sierra foothills viewsheds and limiting wildfire-exposed ridge construction.
Reno does not impose a city-wide plastic bag ban or fee. Nevada has not preempted local action, but Reno permits retailers to distribute single-use plastic and paper carryout bags without restriction.
Nevada lacks statewide restrictions on polystyrene foam food containers, leaving regulation to local jurisdictions concerned with litter and recycling impacts.
Nevada has no statewide plastic straw restriction, leaving regulation of single-use straws to local governments and individual food service operators.
Reno properties in the Wildland Urban Interface must maintain defensible space zones cleared of flammable vegetation; inspections by Reno Fire and Truckee Meadows Fire enforce compliance.
Reno requires erosion and sediment control plans for grading projects. Hillside overlays are stricter. NDEP Construction General Permit applies at 1 acre, and BMPs must stay in place until revegetation.
Reno operates under the Truckee Meadows MS4 NPDES stormwater permit. Construction over 1 acre needs a state SWPPP. Illicit discharges to storm drains reaching the Truckee River are prohibited.
Reno grading permits are required above 50 cubic yards or on regulated slopes. Plans must protect neighbors from redirected runoff. Hillside overlays in west Reno impose stricter standards.
Reno is an inland high-desert city with no ocean coastline. Coastal development regulations do not apply. However, development along the Truckee River corridor is regulated through the Truckee River Flood Management Project and the city's zoning code. Riparian setbacks and habitat protection requirements apply to properties along the river. The city maintains a Truckee River greenway with public access and environmental protections.
Reno has significant Truckee River flood risk with major floods in 1950, 1955, 1986, 1997, and 2017. New construction in SFHAs must elevate 1 ft above BFE. Flood insurance is required on federally-backed mortgages.
Secondhand dealers selling used goods, jewelry, electronics, or precious metals must hold a Reno license, log every purchase with seller ID, and report transactions daily to police to deter trafficking in stolen property.
Pawnbrokers in Reno must hold a city business license, register transactions with police via an electronic reporting system, hold pledged property for a mandatory redemption period, and verify customer identification.
Reno enforces loitering rules in the downtown casino district, transit plaza, and around schools, focusing on conduct linked to drug dealing, prostitution, or unlawful gaming rather than mere presence on public sidewalks.
Reno prohibits aggressive panhandling defined by intimidating conduct, blocking passage, following, or soliciting near ATMs, transit stops, and outdoor cafes; passive sign-holding remains constitutionally protected.
Reno bans open containers of alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, and parks citywide, with limited exemptions for licensed special events, the downtown entertainment district during sanctioned festivals, and Truckee River-area private patios.
Reno adopts the International Fire Code through RMC Title 14 (Building and Construction) with Northern Nevada amendments. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits LP-gas containers over 1 lb on combustible balconies of buildings with three or more dwelling units and requires charcoal grills to be 10 feet from buildings. Single-family detached homes are unrestricted.
Reno requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, plumbing, electrical wiring, or structural roofs under RMC Title 14 (Building and Construction). Trade permits file through Development Services. Standalone freestanding grills require no permit. Outdoor kitchens near swimming pools must comply with adopted IRC pool barrier rules.
Reno has no specific ordinance regulating residential pellet or wood smokers. Washoe County Air Quality Management Division issues mandatory no-burn days when air quality is poor, prohibiting outdoor wood burning and including residential wood smokers. Propane and natural-gas smokers are exempt. RMC Chapter 8.22 (Nuisances) addresses extreme smoke complaints.
Reno has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animation are governed by subdivision CC&Rs and HOA covenants. RMC Chapter 8.22 nuisance provisions could theoretically address severe light trespass but are essentially never enforced against holiday displays.
Reno has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, lighting hours, and blower noise are governed by HOA architectural review and CC&Rs. Reno residential noise limits under RMC Chapter 8.22 (approximately 49 dBA nighttime) could apply to blower motors but are rarely enforced for seasonal decorations.
Reno has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations on residential property. RMC Chapter 8.22 (Nuisances) requires property maintenance but does not regulate ornament content. HOA architectural review in master-planned communities is the primary source of ornament rules.
Reno does not require a permit or fee for residential garage sales held occasionally at a private residence. Typical limits apply on frequency (2-4 sales per year) and duration (2-3 consecutive days). Sales must consist of personal household goods rather than purchased-for-resale merchandise.
Reno limits residential properties to a maximum of four garage sales per year. Each sale may not exceed three consecutive days. Exceeding these limits may result in the activity being considered a commercial operation requiring a business license. The Code Enforcement division monitors compliance with garage sale frequency limits.
Reno does not set specific mandatory operating hours for garage sales. Sales are expected to be conducted during reasonable daytime hours. Reno's noise ordinance provisions apply and prevent early-morning or late-night activity. Typical garage sale hours are between 7:00 AM and sunset. The city's nuisance provisions would apply if a sale creates unreasonable disturbance to the neighborhood.
Reno allows temporary holiday lighting and decorative displays on residential property without a permit. Displays must not create traffic hazards, obstruct sight lines, or encroach on the public right-of-way. Inflatable decorations and lights should be removed within a reasonable time after the holiday season.
Reno allows temporary political signs on private property with size and placement limits. Under Reed v. Town of Gilbert First Amendment precedent, Reno cannot regulate political signs more strictly than other temporary signs based on content. Placement in the public right-of-way is prohibited.
Temporary garage sale signs are allowed on the sale property and with limited off-site placement in Reno. Signs must not be placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or on traffic signs, and must be removed promptly after the sale ends.
Reno residents receive limited bulk item pickup through Waste Management plus free dump days at the Lockwood Regional Landfill. Items include furniture, mattresses, and appliances (Freon units require separate handling). Construction debris is not included and must be self-hauled or use a rented roll-off.
Waste Management of Nevada holds the exclusive franchise for residential trash and recycling collection in Reno under a long-term franchise agreement. Service is mandatory for residential properties, with weekly trash and every-other-week recycling pickup in most neighborhoods.
Trash and recycling carts must be placed at the curb with wheels against the curb, handles facing the house, and at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides for the automated collection truck arm. Carts may be set out no earlier than 6 PM the night before and must be removed within 24 hours of pickup.
Reno offers single-stream curbside recycling through Waste Management, collected every other week. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, rigid plastics #1 and #2, aluminum cans, steel cans, and glass (glass requires separate bin in some areas). Participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged.
Reno single-family setbacks are typically 20 ft front, 5 ft side, 20 ft rear. Eaves may encroach up to 2 ft. Nevada AB 431/SB 331 ADUs get reduced 4-ft side and rear setbacks.
Reno single-family height caps at 30-35 ft. Downtown allows 100+ ft and casino towers exceed 300 ft. Hillside overlays enforce view-protection limits, and FAA review is required near the airport.
Reno typically caps residential lot coverage at 40-50 percent and impervious surfaces at 60-70 percent. Hillside overlays drop the cap to 25-35 percent to preserve topography.
Reno restricts light trespass across property lines, with residential limits typically under 0.5 foot-candles. Neighbors facing unshielded floodlights can file code enforcement complaints requiring shielding.
Reno requires full-cutoff, downward-shielded outdoor lighting for new development under Title 18. Uplighting is restricted. Hillside overlays apply the strictest standards to protect Sierra views.
Commercial drone operators in Reno must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Most of Reno is under Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) Class C airspace, requiring LAANC authorization for flight. Operations over people, at night, or beyond visual line of sight require additional FAA waivers.
Recreational drone flight in Reno is governed primarily by FAA rules. Hobbyist pilots must register drones over 0.55 lbs, pass the TRUST test, fly under 400 feet, and stay clear of controlled airspace. Much of Reno sits under Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) Class C airspace, requiring LAANC authorization.
Reno Municipal Code Title 8 prohibits property blight, including accumulations of junk, abandoned vehicles, broken windows, peeling paint, and overgrown vegetation visible from public view. The Code Enforcement division investigates complaints and issues abatement orders.
Reno Municipal Code requires property owners and occupants to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks fronting their property within a reasonable time after a snowfall, typically by noon the day after accumulation ends. Non-compliance can result in citations.
Reno property maintenance code requires trash and recycling carts to be stored out of public view from the street between collection days. Carts may be set out no earlier than 6 PM the night before pickup and must be returned to screened storage within 24 hours after collection.
Reno allows residential garage and yard sales without a permit for a limited number of days per year per address, typically up to 2-4 sales of 2-3 days each annually. Sales must be on the property (not in the street) and signs must follow sign rules.
Owners of vacant lots in Reno must keep them free of weeds over 12 inches, trash, and fire hazards. In wildfire-prone foothill zones, defensible space vegetation management is required. The city may abate hazardous lots and lien costs to the owner.
Reno rooftop solar needs a building and electrical permit. Contractors must hold a Nevada C-2 license. NV Energy interconnection is required, and NRS 704.7732 governs net metering tiers.
NRS 116.2055 prohibits Nevada HOAs from banning or unreasonably restricting solar systems. Reno HOAs can require reasonable placement and color, but cannot add over 10% to system cost.
Reno food trucks need a Washoe County Health mobile food permit, city business license, Nevada state business license (NRS 76), and sales tax permit. A licensed commissary is required.
Reno food trucks operate on private commercial lots with owner consent and at permitted special events. Public street and sidewalk vending generally requires a special event authorization.
Commercial door-to-door solicitors in Reno must obtain a city solicitor or peddler permit, submit to a background check, and carry the permit while working. Religious, political, and charitable canvassing is protected by the First Amendment and is not subject to permit requirements.
Reno enforces posted No Soliciting and No Trespassing signs. Commercial solicitors who knock at a home displaying such a sign commit a violation and may be cited. Constitutionally protected canvassers (religious, political) are generally exempt from No Soliciting signs but must leave when asked.
Reno Municipal Code imposes a juvenile curfew generally from 10 PM to 5 AM on weeknights and midnight to 5 AM on weekends for minors under 18. Exceptions apply for minors accompanied by a parent, traveling to or from work, or attending school, religious, or civic activities.
Reno city parks are generally closed from 10 PM to 5 AM (hours vary by park). After-hours presence in parks, trails, and the Truckee River path is prohibited without a special use permit. Violations can result in citations for trespass or park rules violations.
Reno requires permits for removal of significant trees in conjunction with development projects through the Land Development Code. Street trees are city property and require authorization for removal or pruning. On private property outside of development review, tree removal is generally less regulated. Dead trees and vegetation overhanging sidewalks must be removed by the property owner. The city's Parks Division manages public trees in parks and along streets.
Reno does not have a formal heritage or landmark tree ordinance with extensive legal protections. However, significant trees may be flagged during development review and required to be preserved or mitigated. The city values its urban canopy, particularly given the arid climate where trees are slow to establish. Street trees and trees in public spaces receive protection through the Parks Division. Individual notable trees may be documented informally.
When trees are removed as part of development in Reno, the Land Development Code may require replacement plantings. Replacement trees must meet minimum caliper requirements. The city's landscaping standards require new developments to include street trees and shade trees in parking areas. Given Reno's arid climate, drought-tolerant species are preferred for replacement plantings. The Parks Division replaces city street trees that die or are removed due to disease or hazard.
Nevada sets minimum wage statewide through constitutional and statutory provisions, preempting local wage ordinances and standardizing employer obligations.
Nevada requires private employers with 50+ employees to provide paid leave, with statewide standards limiting local government modification of leave rules.
Nevada has no predictive scheduling law, with workplace scheduling governed by general wage-hour rules under NRS Chapter 608 and federal FLSA standards.
Nevada is a shall-issue state requiring a permit to carry concealed firearms, with sheriff-issued CCW permits valid for five years subject to training requirements.
Nevada law preempts local firearm ordinances, reserving regulation of firearms, ammunition, and components to the state legislature, with narrow exceptions.
Nevada generally permits open carry of firearms by adults without a permit, subject to location restrictions and the state preemption framework.
Nevada allows loaded firearms in private vehicles without a permit, but concealment on the person within a vehicle still requires a CCW permit under state law.
Nevada does not mandate E-Verify use by private employers, though state agencies and certain public contractors may participate voluntarily under federal contractor rules.
Nevada has no statewide statute mandating or prohibiting sanctuary policies, leaving counties and cities free to set their own immigration cooperation rules.
Nevada delegates agricultural zoning to counties and cities under NRS 278, while state law preserves farm operation rights through Right to Farm protections.
Nevada protects established agricultural operations from nuisance claims when farming activities pre-date conflicting non-agricultural land uses in the area.