Rezoning to Specific Plan District
Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.08.504
in effect18.08.504 - Rezoning to Specific Plan District
(a) Purpose This section describes the process by which requests to change the zoning district of a property or properties to a Specific Plan District (SPD) special purpose zoning districts are reviewed for compliance with this Title.
(b) Applicability
(1) This section applies to all requests to amend the zoning designation of a property to an SPD district.
(2) SPD applications shall be based on the existing zoning designation but may include proposals to apply modified lot and building standards, land use permissions, and design, compatibility, and buffering provisions that provide benefits over what would otherwise be achieved with a base zone district.
(3) SPD review is a special type of zoning map amendment and the standards and procedures of Section 18.08.503, Rezoning (Zoning Map Amendment), shall apply except when preempted by a SPD-specific review provision in this section.
(c) Application Submittal and Review Procedures Figure 8-6, below, identifies the applicable steps from Article 3, Common Review Procedures, that apply to the review of SPD applications. Additions or modifications to the common review procedures are noted below.
(1) Application Submittal and Handling Supplemental application and plan requirements of this subsection shall apply.
Figure 8-6: Summary of Tentative SPD Procedures
[image omitted; see the official code]
a. Supplemental Application and Plan Requirements
1. Specific Plan District Handbook
[a] The applicant shall submit a Specific Plan District Handbook that includes a statement of purpose explaining rationale for SPD zoning, the base zoning district upon which the proposed SPD is based, and each proposed modification from standard zoning district provisions. All district standards not specifically modified in the SPD handbook shall remain in effect.
[b] The applicant shall submit a plan that delineates the location of the proposed land uses, as well as the location of structures, improvements, and open space.
2. Demonstration of Benefit Documentation shall be provided with any application for an SPD that demonstrates the benefit to the City of the proposed SPD plan over what would otherwise be achieved with an existing base zone district.
3. Certification and Recordation of Plan A Plan which has been given final approval by the city must be certified without delay by the city and filed of record in the office of the appropriate county recorder before any development occurs in accordance with that plan.
(d) Findings All applications for zoning map amendments to SPD shall meet the approval criteria in Section 18.08.304(e), Approval Criteria Applicable to all Applications, and the following findings:
(1) The amendment, together with changed components of the Title, promotes, or does not conflict with, the provisions of NRS Section 278.250(2);
(2) The amendment is in substantial conformance with the Master Plan;
(3) The SPD Handbook is consistent with the purpose of the SPD District (Section 18.02.506); and
(4) The SPD Handbook addresses a unique situation, provides substantial benefit to the City, or incorporates innovative design, layout, or configuration resulting in quality over what could have been accomplished through strict application of a base zoning district.
(e) Post-Decision Actions and Limitations
(1) Minor Amendments to SPD Plans
a. The Administrator may approve minor amendments to an approved SPD if the proposed amendment complies with the following criteria and the Administrator determines that the amended SPD is consistent with all SPD approval findings:
1. The number of residential units shall not be increased by more than 10 percent.
2. The gross square footage of nonresidential building area shall not be increased by more than 10 percent.
3. The amendment shall not change the allowed uses listed in the approved SPD.
4. The number or location of vehicular access points shall not be changed in a way that negatively impacts public safety or the flow of traffic onto public streets.
5. The numeric standards in the SPD shall not be revised by more than would be allowed through Section 18.08.804, Minor Deviation.
b. The Administrator may modify any architectural design standards.
c. The Administrator may require public notice prior to approving changes on contested projects. No other changes may be made without an amendment to the SPD, utilizing the process outlined above.
(Ord. No. 6692, § 1(Exh. A), 1-8-25)
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=CH18.08ADPR_ART5ORAMIN_18.08.504RESPPLDIFetched: 11/1/2026