The Washoe County Board of Adjustment on July 3 approved a variance to raise the side and rear fence height from 6 feet to 7 feet at 6850 Prestwick Circle, citing resident safety concerns after multiple attempts to remove a coyote den failed.

Planner Tim Evans told the board staff could not make all of the required findings and had recommended denial. Evans said the parcel is rectangular, about 0.538 acres, meets minimum lot‑width standards for the medium‑density suburban (MDS) zone, and has only a slight slope — factors that do not by themselves demonstrate the statutory hardships for a variance. Evans also reported that the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) told staff that “a 7‑foot fence should keep a coyote out, but they are pretty agile, and it wouldn't surprise [NDOW] if one ended up actually jumping a 7‑foot fence,” a comment the planner said had been provided to the board as part of agency review.

The applicant and her representative argued the site presents an extraordinary and exceptional situation. Dave Snellgrove, planning manager with Bowman Consulting Group, said the property backs to an equestrian easement — an open 20‑foot corridor used historically for horse access — that provides unimpeded access into the yard and that a coyote had established a den under the rear deck. Snellgrove said the owner installed 17 motion‑sensor cameras, hired a professional trapper and tried deterrents for about two months; the trapper and other wildlife professionals recommended a 7‑ to 8‑foot fence because other measures had failed. Applicant Erin Ellis said, “I just wanna keep my pet safe,” and described frequent coyote presence and concern for her small dog.

Staff noticed 55 parcels and received five public comments; staff reported four of those comments were in favor (two were from the same person after an initial opposed comment). Despite the staff recommendation to deny, several board members said the location and surrounding conditions justified finding an extraordinary situation. Board members discussed nonfencing measures such as coyote rollers as additional deterrents but ultimately approved the variance.

The motion to approve variance case WPVAR25‑0002 was made by Board member Peter Gushon and seconded by Chair Rob Pierce. The board voted to approve the variance; the motion passed.

The decision grants the homeowner permission to construct a 7‑foot fence along side and rear property lines. The board discussion included caution about precedent but noted the application presented neighbor support and documentation of repeated wildlife intrusion. No additional conditions were recorded on the motion. The county planning staff and the applicant may proceed consistent with the written decision and any permitting requirements.

Because NDOW noted a 7‑foot fence may not be an absolute deterrent, board members and the applicant discussed adding mechanical deterrents (for example, roll‑bar devices) if coyotes continued to access the yard after the fence is installed.