At its meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the Reno City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be built anywhere in Reno, given they follow a list of regulations.
The ordinance says ADUs can only be built on lots at least 5,000 square feet in size and need at least one dedicated parking space on-site. Attached units must follow the same size standards as detached ones.
Other requirements are aimed at reducing the impact on local neighborhoods.
"We're really protecting those neighbors with things like [an ADU] has to have compatible architecture, a compatible character," says Grace Mackedon, a Senior Management Analyst for Development with the City of Reno.
Mackedon adds that ADUs must meet the same setbacks from property lines as the main structure. ADUs also need to be built behind the main structure and be smaller.
One rule that did not make it into the final draft was a 28-day minimum stay requirement. Councilmembers said they want to consider short-term rental regulations for all structures, not just ADUs.
"We had put in a prohibition for short-term rentals. It was taken out by our city council," Mackedon says. "They would like to deal with short-term rentals as a more comprehensive length for all structures, not just accessory dwelling units."
During public comment, one neighbor says he doesn't like ADUs being used as short-term rentals, saying that Reno has enough of them.
"It's really a betrayal, I feel," he says. "We have over a thousand short-term rentals, last time I checked, here in Reno."
He also says he's concerned these units won't be used to house members of the community long-term.
"Myself, coworkers, people in coffee shops and restaurants I talked to," he says, "we're so looking forward to ADUs and having a place for locals to live and employees to live in, not getting bought by investors."
The City Council removed a 28-day minimum stay requirement at their last reading in September, clearing the way for ADUs to be used as short-term rentals.
Mackedon says the ADU ordinance will go into effect once it's filed with the clerk. That should be done by Thursday afternoon.
