Reno planners debate proposed accessory dwelling unit ordinance amid parking, short‑term rental and lot‑size concerns

City of Reno planning staff presented a draft ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units across single‑family zones and asked the Planning Commission for feedback on lot size, parking and design standards.

“An ADU is a secondary housing unit that shares a lot with a larger primary home,” Grace Mackadon, senior management analyst, told the commission during a 45‑minute staff presentation. Mackadon said the draft was prompted by a City Council direction in November 2023 and by a survey that drew “over 2,000” responses.

The staff draft would: allow one ADU per lot; set a minimum lot size of 9,000 square feet; require one off‑street parking space dedicated to each ADU; prohibit zero‑foot setbacks for ADUs; and rely on existing accessory‑structure compatibility standards for design. Mackadon described the 9,000‑sq. ft. figure as “a place to start” based on prior direction and past proposals and said the city intends to bring a revised draft to council after additional outreach.

Why it matters: The proposal is intended to add housing choice and incremental housing supply in established neighborhoods without up‑zoning entire areas. Supporters said ADUs can enable aging‑in‑place and keep families together;…