Reno Administrative Code tit. 4, ch. 4.05 — MOBILE VENDING UNITS | Reno Administrative Code, City of Reno, Nevada (Supp. No. 65, Update 1: codified through Ordinance No. 6740, adopted May 6, 2026) — City of Reno

Reno Administrative Code § 4.05.005 Purpose and short title.

Sec. 4.05.005. - Purpose and short title. This chapter establishes the minimum procedural requirements for mobile vending business licenses issued by the city. The City of Reno recognizes that the typical business operates within fixed structures and that mobile vendors are a new industry that requires standards that may be unique to this type of business in order to protect the public. A further intent of this chapter is to ensure mobile vendors do not circumvent the requirements for businesses that operate within a structure. This chapter shall be known as the Mobile Vending Code. (Ord. No. 6222, § 1, 2-8-12)

Reno Administrative Code § 4.05.006 Scope.

Sec. 4.05.006. - Scope. The provisions of this title apply to all mobile vending businesses in the city, including any licenses pertaining to privileged businesses or franchises (Title 5). Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to exempt any organization from complying with the provisions of any other ordinance of the city, including but not limited to permit requirements, zoning requirements, nuisance ordinances and restrictions on privileged or illegal activities. (Ord. No. 6222, § 1, 2-8-12)

Reno Administrative Code § 4.05.007 Definitions.

Sec. 4.05.007. - Definitions. Ice cream truck means any motorized or non-motorized vehicle or trailer from which 50 percent or more of its inventory is prepackaged or soft serve or hand dipped frozen dairy or water-based food products; irrespective of whether or not the truck carries other prepackaged food or non-food products. Mobile vendor means, but is not limited to, any person or employee or agent thereof carrying on or conducting the business of selling or offering for sale any inedible item with value or edible food/drinks, loose, pre-packaged or prepared to include candy, vegetables, meat, fruit, or other edible foods for human consumption from any motorized vehicle. Mobile vending vehicle/unit means any motorized or non-motorized vehicle or trailer from which any inedible item with value or edible food/drinks, loose, pre-packaged or prepared to include candy, fruit, vegetables, meat or other edible foods are sold. Mobile vending vehicle/unit shall not include vending carts used by licensed sidewalk vendors as defined in Title 5. (Ord. No. 6222, § 1, 2-8-12)

Reno Administrative Code § 4.05.020 Time, place and manner.

Sec. 4.05.020. - Time, place and manner. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct any mobile vending activity in violation of the following rules: (1) Mobile vending activities which include any food sales shall not be conducted without a valid Washoe County Health District permit. (2) Mobile vending activities shall not be conducted for more than four hours (240 minutes) at any one location within a 24-hour period. After the duration of four hours, the vehicle/unit must move a minimum of four city blocks or two miles, whichever is the shortest distance, from the previous location. (3) Mobile vending activities may take place on commercial private property provided that the mobile vendor maintains a letter from the property owner or responsible person granting him permission to conduct business there. The letter must be made available upon request by any City of Reno Enforcement Official. Mobile vending activities shall be prohibited on residentially zoned property. (4) Mobile vending activities shall not take place upon any highway, street, alley, sidewalk or city-owned or city-operated public parking lot. (5) Mobile vending activities shall be conducted in such a manner as not to obstruct or block any sidewalk or interfere with or impede any pedestrian or violate any other city ordinance. (6) The mobile vending vehicle must be identifiable with the name of the business, and the business address thereof in lettering large enough to be visible and legible from ten feet away. (7) Mobile vending activities shall not be conducted within 300 feet from the property line of any school, church, playground or park without the express written consent of the property owner or responsible person for the school, church, playground or park. (8) Mobile vending vehicles/units shall not park or be placed within a city park or the parking area of a city park without obtaining a park permit pursuant to RMC 8.23.075. (9) Mobile vending activities shall not be conducted within 100 feet of the entrance of a permanent restaurant business during open and operating hours. (10) Each mobile vending vehicle/unit shall have a separate original City of Reno Mobile Vendor Business License posted on the vehicle/unit with information identifying the vehicle identification number or license plate number. (11) Mobile vending activities may only be conducted between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., unless the activities are conducted on a property within an area zoned for 24-hour operations or the property is under the privilege of a special use permit allowing such use. (12) Use of amplified sound or other forms used for attracting attention, to include yelling and/or "hawking" is not allowed at any time. (13) Advertising signs must be affixed to the vehicle/unit and may not be placed on the ground or in the public right-of-way and may only advertise the business of the mobile vendor. (14) Vehicles/units must be self-contained: a. Use of onsite storage is prohibited; b. Use of an ancillary power source requires a carbon monoxide detector within the unit for generator use; and a method of protection (i.e. trip guard) for extension cord use. c. Connections to onsite water, sewer, gas or telephone is prohibited. (15) Use of outdoor cooking facilities, including grills or BBQ's is prohibited. (16) Vending within 300 feet of a permitted special event or activity is prohibited unless the vendor is included as part of the event and allowed by written permission of event organizer per Chapter 5.13. (17) Sale or service of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at any time nor will any such license be issued for such sale/service to a mobile vending vehicle, unless the vendor is included as part of a special event and allowed by written permission of event organizer per Chapter 5.13. (18) Ice cream trucks shall be subject to, and regulated by, provisions within Title 5. It shall be unlawful to operate an ice cream truck without the required privileged license. (19) Mobile vendors operating as a caterer or conducting catering services for specific events shall not be subject to the provisions within this chapter. (Ord. No. 6222, § 1, 2-8-12)

Reno Administrative Code § 4.05.030 Licensing and registration requirement.

Sec. 4.05.030. - Licensing and registration requirement. (1) All mobile vendors must be licensed by the city and must maintain a valid Washoe County Health District permit if involved in the sale or handling of any type of food. (2) A separate license will be required for any mobile vending activity. A business owner can not operate a mobile vending vehicle/unit under an existing business license; however, (3) A mobile vendor may have more than one vehicle/unit under one business license; however each vehicle must be named as a part of the business description on the application with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the license plate. Each vehicle will have a separate license printout with these unique identifiers. Copies of the license placed in additional vehicles are not allowed. (4) Any person in violation of this section shall be subject to the enforcement provisions provided within Title 4 of the Reno Municipal Code. (Ord. No. 6222, § 1, 2-8-12)