Alternative Equivalent Compliance
Reno Annexation and Land Development Code § 18.08.803
in effect18.08.803 - Alternative Equivalent Compliance
(a) Purpose To encourage creative and unique design, "alternative equivalent compliance" allows development to occur in a manner that meets the intent of this Title, yet through an alternative design that does not strictly adhere to the specific design standards. This is not a general waiver of regulations. Rather, this authorizes a site-specific plan that is equal to or better than the strict application of the standard.
(b) Applicability The alternative equivalent compliance procedure is available only for the standards in Articles 8-11 of Chapter 18.04 Development Standards.
(c) Application Submittal and Review Procedures Figure 8-23, below, identifies the applicable steps from Article 3, Common Review Procedures, that apply to the review of alternative equivalent compliance applications. Additions or modifications to the common review procedures are noted below.
Figure 8-23: Summary of Alternative Equivalent Compliance Procedures
[image omitted; see the official code]
(1) Application Submittal and Handling Alternative equivalent compliance applications shall be submitted, accepted, and revised, and may be withdrawn, in accordance with Section 18.08.303, Application Submittal and Handling.
(2) Staff Review and Action The Administrator shall review the application and prepare a staff report and recommendation in accordance with Section 18.08.304, Review and Action.
(3) Scheduling and Notice of Public Hearing The alternative equivalent compliance application shall be scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning Commission and noticed in accordance with Section 18.08.305, Scheduling and Notice of Public Hearings.
(4) Review and Decision
a. The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing within 65 days of application.
b. The Planning Commission shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application within 30 days from the date of the hearing in accordance with Section 18.08.306, Review and Decision, based on the general approval criteria in subsection 18.08.304(e), Approval Criteria Applicable to all Applications and the specific findings for alternative equivalent compliance in subsection 18.08.605(e), Findings, below.
(5) Appeal The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council in accordance with Subsection 18.08.307(j), Appeal.
(6) Post-Decision Actions and Limitations All common procedures in Section 18.08.307, Post-Decision Actions and Limitations, shall apply, with the following modifications:
a. Time Limitations and Extensions
1. Time Limitations
[a] Alternative equivalent compliance applications that accompany tentative maps shall be valid as long as the tentative map is valid.
[b] The owner or developer shall apply for a building permit for the entire project within 18 months of the date of approval of the alternative equivalent compliance application and maintain the validity of that permit, or the application approval shall be null and void unless a different time limitation was established at the time of final approval based on the characteristics and complexity of the project.
2. Extension by the Administrator
[a] The Administrator may extend the time limit by up to 12 months if a request is received prior to the expiration of the time limit to apply for a building permit under alternative equivalent compliance, provided that:
i. The applicant agrees to comply with all requirements of this Title and all conditions of approval; and
ii. The applicant agrees to pay all applicable fees.
[b] No more than one administrative time extension shall be approved for any project or project phase.
3. Extension by the Planning Commission
[a] The Planning Commission may extend the time limit by six additional months if an application is received by the Administrator 45 days prior to the expiration of the extension granted by the Administrator, and the Planning Commission approves a schedule indicating that the applicant will apply for a building permit for the entire project or the relevant phase within the six-month extension.
[b] In reviewing any such extension request, the Planning Commission shall consider the continued appropriateness of the project in the approved location and may add conditions to ensure that the project does not adversely impact other properties and to protect the public interest.
[c] No more than one six-month time extension shall be approved for any project or project phase.
(d) Findings Alternative equivalent compliance may be approved if the applicant demonstrates that following criteria have been met by the proposed alternative:
(1) Achieves the intent of the subject standard to the same or better degree than the subject standard;
(2) Advances the goals and policies of this Title to the same or better degree than the subject standard;
(3) Results in benefits to the community that are equivalent to or exceed benefits associated with the subject standard;
(4) Imposes no greater impacts on adjacent properties than would occur through compliance with the specific requirements of this Title; and
(5) Is not materially detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(e) Effect of Approval
(1) Alternative equivalent compliance shall apply only to the specific site for which it is requested and shall not establish a precedent for approval of other requests.
(2) Granting of the alternative equivalent compliance approval does not constitute a special privilege inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and land use district in which the property is located.
(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_ART8FLRE_18.08.803ALEQCOFetched: 11/1/2026