Skyways

Reno Annexation and Land Development Code ch. 18.04, art. 16

in effect

Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.04.1601 Purpose

18.04.1601 - Purpose The purpose of this article is to establish a process for the review of development proposals which include skyways, as defined in Chapter 18.09 Rules of Construction and Definitions, to ensure that proposed skyways: (a) Are consistent with the orderly development of the project; (b) Are architecturally compatible with the supporting buildings and the surrounding environment; (c) Will not have a significant detrimental effect on the volume of street level activity; (d) Have been designed to enhance the aesthetics of the community, lessen the "tunnel effect" of elevated structures, and include appropriate aesthetic treatment above and along the covered roadway; and (e) Preserve view corridors in Reno.

Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.04.1602 Applicability

18.04.1602 - Applicability No building permit shall be issued to erect or construct any development proposal that includes a skyway unless the requirements of this article are met and a conditional use permit is obtained, subject to the requirements of this article and Section 18.08.605, Conditional Use Permit. All proposals under this article shall require a hearing by the City Council.

Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.04.1603 Prohibited Skyway Locations

18.04.1603 - Prohibited Skyway Locations No skyway shall be permitted to bridge: (a) Virginia Street between Eighth Street on the north and Liberty Street on the south; (b) The Truckee River Corridor, a designated Scenic View Corridor, as further depicted in Figure 4-37, below; (c) Second Street between Evans Avenue on the east and the terminus of Keystone Street on the west; (d) The intersection of Virginia Street and Second Street; (e) Fourth Street between Evans Avenue on the west and Wells Avenue on the east; (f) Sierra Street between Eight Street on the north and Elm Street on the south; (g) Center Street between Eighth Street on the north and Seventh Street on the south; (h) The south ramps of Interstate 80 between Ralston Avenue on the west and Valley Road on the east; (i) First Street between West Street on the west and Ralston Street on the east; and (j) Arlington Avenue between First Street on the south and Second Street on the north. [image omitted; see the official code] Figure 4-37: Map of Prohibited Skyway Locations

Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.04.1604 Conditional Use Permit Required

18.04.1604 - Conditional Use Permit Required (a) Findings In addition to the general conditional use permit findings in Section 18.08.605, Conditional Use Permit, the following findings shall be made prior to granting a conditional use permit: (1) The skyway design is consistent with the skyway design guidelines and lessens the "tunnel effect"; (2) The skyway does not materially impair the view of scenic resources, such as significant mountains, significant natural resources, or significant historic resources, officially recognized by the City of Reno; (3) The applicant has demonstrated that the skyway is consistent with the orderly development of the project or area; (4) The applicant has demonstrated that the skyway will not negatively impact the number of pedestrians at street level by providing written consent of the owners of at least 75 percent of the frontage on both sides of the affected block of any street proposed for a skybuilding. (Ord. No. 6692, § 1(Exh. A), 1-8-25)

Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.04.1605 Skyway Design

18.04.1605 - Skyway Design (a) Skyway Design Guidelines Skyway design guidelines set forth in Appendix B to this Title, and are hereby incorporated by reference. These guidelines may be amended only after a public hearing by the Planning Commission and adoption of a resolution by the City Council. (b) Compliance with Design Guidelines Skyways shall conform to the skyways design guidelines stated in Appendix B to this Title. To demonstrate that proposed skyways are in substantial conformance with the skyway design manual, skyway elevations shall be required with a development application that includes a skyway. Skyway elevations shall include all the following: (1) Color photographs of the existing street views in each direction, at the pedestrian and vehicular level, showing the views that exist for that roadway, including the structures abutting the street for a distance of not less than 100 feet, and including any other skyways within 660 feet of the proposed skyway in the Downtown area or within 1,320 feet of the proposed skyway in all other districts; and (2) Color skyway elevations, which are an accurate representation of the proposed skyway; and (3) At the City's discretion, the applicant may be required to provide a scale model depicting the accurate colors and materials of the proposed skyway and terminus buildings. (Ord. No. 6692, § 1(Exh. A), 1-8-25)

Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.04.1606 Maintenance

18.04.1606 - Maintenance Skyways shall always be properly maintained by the skyway property owner. Ventilation and lighting of the public space covered by skyways shall be powered and metered independently in order to provide continuous service to the public. The property owner shall not terminate the lighting and ventilation without the consent of the City. The City, at its discretion and expense, may operate the lighting and ventilation systems for the public space. Any expenditure by the City under this provision will be reimbursed to the City by the property owners. If a skyway is closed to the public, a notation shall be placed at any ground-level entry point.

Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.04.1607 Public Safety

18.04.1607 - Public Safety To ensure public safety prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall hire a qualified, licensed contractor to provide engineering specifications to ensure that public safety personnel will be able to transmit and receive information inside, underneath, and within all areas directly surrounding, connected to, or covered by skyways. This requirement includes radio transmissions, pager information, and wireless or cellular telephone. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the applicant shall install, test, and demonstrate adequacy of these engineering specifications for communication.

Source: City of Reno, Nevada, Administrative Code, City Charter and Annexation and Land Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nv/reno/codes/land_development_code?nodeId=CH18.04DEST_ART16SKFetched: 11/1/2026