Community Development
Frequently Asked Questions
- They help the Commissioners become aware of the concerns of residents and property owners in their geographical areas, thus enabling the Commission to better address those issues in the best interest of the community and the County; and
- They provide a forum where citizens can be informed about and understand decisions made by the Commission that affect their community.
The Sun Valley CAB followed in 1978, and the Washoe Valley CAB (first established as a nonprofit corporation by Washoe Valley residents and later divided into two CABs: East Washoe Valley and West Washoe Valley) in 1979.
The Lemmon Valley and Gerlach/Empire CABs were added in 1980, and the Verdi Township CAB in 1981. In 1982, the North Valleys CAB (which incorporated the Lemmon Valley Board), and the Southwest Truckee Meadows CABs were established, followed by the Northeast Valleys CAB in late 1983 -- which was later divided into the Spanish Springs and Warms Springs CABs.
Subsequent boards were established for Mt. Rose/Geiger Grade (which was later divided into two separate boards -- Galena-Steamboat and Southeast Truckee Meadows), West Truckee Meadows, East Truckee Canyon, and Cold Springs.
In 2006, the Central CAB was formed. The Cold Springs CAB was dissolved in 2008 and the North Valleys CAB was modified to include the Cold Springs CAB area. In 2009, the Verdi Township CAB and the West Truckee Meadows CAB were dissolved and merged into the Verdi Township/West Truckee Meadows CAB, and the Central CAB was temporarily suspended.
Washoe County Code, Chapter 5.425 through 5.435, sets forth the specific guidelines for the establishment and operation of CABs. Among other matters, it requires that each CAB be individually established by a resolution of the Washoe County Commission.
These regulations are available from the Washoe County Department of Community Development. The regulations may also be viewed on the County`s website. To access the Citizen Advisory Board History, Legal Basis and Bylaws, click on this link.
CAB bylaws are available from the Washoe County Department of Community Development. The bylaws may also be viewed on the County`s website. To access the Citizen Advisory Board Bylaws, click on this link.
Maps showing CAB geographic areas of responsibility are available from the Washoe County Department of Community Development. The maps may also be viewed on the County`s web site by searching for the "CAB Home Page" or typing "www.washoecounty.us/cab" in the address bar, and then selecting the link for "CAB Agendas, Minutes, Applications, Maps and Rosters". Maps can also be found by clicking on the "Citizen Advisory Board Maps" link in the left column.
Members are appointed by the Commissioners for staggered two-year terms beginning July 1 until June 30 two years hence. Unexpired vacancies are filled from the date of appointment until expiration of the unfilled term.
It is the general policy of the Commissioners that Citizen Advisory Board members be appointed for one two-year term to ensure the fullest participation by a broad range of citizens in a neighborhood. However, considerations of continuity may allow for reappointment of a member to a second or third (in special cases) consecutive term. If there are no other qualified applicants, a CAB member may serve a fourth consecutive term at the discretion of the Commission. A member may not serve more than four consecutive terms on a CAB.
Applications are available from the Washoe County Department of Community Development. Applications for each specific Citizen Advisory Board are also available on the County’s web site by typing "www.washoecounty.us/cab" in the address bar to access the CAB Home Page, then selecting the link for "CAB Agendas, Minutes, Applications, Maps and Rosters", and then selecting the applicable CAB. Applications for all of the CABs can be found by clicking on the "CAB Applications" link in the left column of the CAB Home Page. To access information about the Citizen Advisory Board membership application packets, click on this link.
When a vacancy occurs on a CAB, current applications are submitted to the County Commissioner within whose district the CAB resides. The Commissioner reviews the applications and may interview the applicants. CAB members may make recommendations to the Commissioners concerning appointments. The Commissioner makes a recommendation on an appointment to the Washoe County Commission, but the Commission makes the final appointment.
- New members are required to attend new member orientation training within six months of appointment. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in automatic removal.
- Three consecutive unexcused absences from CAB meetings will result in automatic removal from the CAB.
- If the conduct of a CAB member is deemed inappropriate, the Commissioner responsible for the CAB will speak to the individual and, if warranted, take steps to remove the individual from the CAB.
1. That agricultural uses are currently on the property, together with a description of those uses, and verifying that the agricultural buildings will be used principally to store agricultural equipment and/or products related to the agricultural use; and/or
2. That livestock either currently lives on the property or will live on the property within 90 days from the final approval date for building permits issued for the agricultural building(s), and verifying that the principal use of the agricultural building(s) will be shelter for the livestock.
For more information, see Division Three - Regulation of Uses, Article 306, Accessory Uses and Structures, of the Washoe County Development Code. To go to the Development Code home page, click here.
For more information, see Division Six - Subdivision Regulation, Article 606, Parcel Maps, of the Washoe County Development Code. To go to the Development Code home page, click here.
A detached garage may be the same height as the home. However, a detached garage under 12 feet in height at the mid-point of the roof may qualify for a reduced setback. Call our Development Information Counter at 775.328.6100 and speak to a planner about the height standard for your area.
For more information, see Division Nine - General Provisions, Article 904, Nonconformance, of the Washoe County Development Code. To go to the Development Code home page, click here.
For more information, see Division Four - Development Standards, Article 406, Building Placement Standards, of the Washoe County Development Code. To go to the Development Code home page, click here.
However, there are many additional factors that come into play, such as if there are access easements on the lot, the shape of your lot, and the like. Call our Development Information Counter at 775.328.6100 and speak to a planner for specific setback information for your property.
To go to the Development Code home page, click here.
To get to Map Warehouse, click on this link and choose "Map Warehouse". When the disclaimer comes up, scroll down and click "I Agree". The "Main" tab should be active, if it isn`t, choose "Main". Choose "Land Use" from the list. Under "Step 1. I am interested in:", click the dropdown arrow next to "Select One" and choose "Washoe County Planned Land Use".
If you wish to search by the parcel number, under "Step 2. I would like to search by:", choose "Parcel Number". Under "Last Step. The parcel number without spaces or dashes is", type the parcel number without any spaces or dashes, then click on "Search!". Your parcel should be highlighted on the map.
If you wish to search by the address, under "Step 2. I would like to search by:", choose "Address". Under "Last Step. The address is", enter the Street Number and Street Name, and the Prefix (North, South, East, West) if there is one, then click on "Search!". Your parcel should be highlighted on the map.
If the "Data" tab is selected, there should be a table below the map display. If the "Data" tab is not selected, click on the "Data" tab to bring up the table.
The third column in the table is labeled "Planned Land Use". Your land use designation (zoning) will be identified in this column.
To determine what uses are allowed on your property, refer to the Table of Uses in Division Three, Article 302, Allowed Uses, of the Washoe County Development Code. To go to the Development Code home page, click here.
By 1998, many of the streams in Washoe County were diverted and channeled to provide water for agriculture, without regard to stream structure and condition. Due to damage and deterioration of the stream environments, and the lack of consideration of the critical role streams play in preserving the quality of Washoe County`s natural environment, the Stream Advisory Committee believed it was important to maintain the natural vegetation along the streams to stabilize banks and maintain the ecological system. It was understood that confinement by concrete channeling or placement of rip rap prevents the natural processes that produce thriving plant and animal life.
After more than two years of work of the Stream Advisory Committee, Washoe County staff presented a proposed Development Code Amendment to the Washoe County Planning Commission and, subsequently, to the Board of County Commission. The proposed amendment was reviewed by Citizen Advisory Boards, developers, contractors and technical experts. Finally, on February 15, 2001, the amendment was adopted as Washoe County Code. The amendment provided protection of property from flooding, reduced land development impacts on stream water quality and flows, and provided wildlife mitigation corridors while, at the same time, scrutinized the implications to all parties including whether the ordinance was unfairly burdensome on the property owner or whether the ordinance eliminated all reasonable use of the property.
To get to Map Warehouse, click on this link and choose "Map Warehouse". When the disclaimer comes up, scroll down and click "I Agree". The "Main" tab should be active, if it isn`t, choose "Main". Choose "Land Use" from the list. Under "Step 1. I am interested in:", click the dropdown arrow next to "Select One" and choose "Washoe County Planned Land Use".
If you wish to search by the parcel number, under "Step 2. I would like to search by:", choose "Parcel Number". Under "Last Step. The parcel number without spaces or dashes is", type the parcel number without any spaces or dashes, then click on "Search!". Your parcel should be highlighted on the map.
If you wish to search by the address, under "Step 2. I would like to search by:", choose "Address". Under "Last Step. The address is", enter the Street Number and Street Name, and the Prefix (North, South, East, West) if there is one, then click on "Search!". Your parcel should be highlighted on the map.
If the "Data" tab is selected, there should be a table below the map display. If the "Data" tab is not selected, click on the "Data" tab to bring up the table.
The third column in the table is labeled "Planned Land Use". Your land use designation (zoning) will be identified in this column.
To go to the Development Code home page, click here.
For properties zoned "within Trailer (TR) Overlay zoned area", the following limitations apply:
-The unit may be a manufactured house or a mobile home (a unit constructed to neither the UBC nor HUD code, but not a travel trailer).
-The unit may be of any size.
-The unit can be one section or multiple sections.
-The unit can be of any age.
-A mobile home may only be placed on a parcel that had a previous manufactured house or mobile home located on the parcel within the previous 12 months.
For properties within the Sun Valley and High Desert planning areas, the following limitations apply:
-The unit may be a manufactured house or a mobile home (a unit constructed to neither the UBC nor HUD code nor a travel trailer).
-The unit may be of any size.
-The unit can be one section or multiple sections.
-The unit can be of any age.
-Other than required yard setbacks, there is no restriction on the location of a unit in a single family residential zone.
No other provisions may be waived without a variance application reviewed and approved by the Washoe County Board of Adjustment.
To get to the Washoe County Development Code home page, click on this link. Choose "division three - regulation of uses", then click on the bookmark for the article you wish to view.
To get to the Washoe County Development Code home page, click on this link. Choose "division three - regulation of uses", then click on the bookmark for Article 306.
A detached accessory dwelling unit must be 1,200 square feet in size. In all situations, accessory dwelling units cannot exceed 50 percent of the size of the main dwelling (no variance is permitted to this standard). Therefore, the main dwelling unit must be a minimum of 2,400 square feet. A detached accessory dwelling unit must be established behind or to the side of the main dwelling. A detached accessory dwelling unit must not encroach within required setbacks. Additional enclosed parking is required for the detached accessory dwelling unit. No subdivision of land to create a separate parcel for the accessory detached dwelling unit is permitted. A manufactured house used as a detached accessory dwelling unit must be permanently attached to the property, have the supports masked and be converted to real property.
Division One - Introduction and Organization
Division Two - Area Plan Regulations
Division Three - Regulation of Uses
Division Four - Development Standards
Division Five - Signs
Division Six - Subdivision Regulations
Division Seven - Infrastructure Availability and Financing
Division Eight - Procedures
Division Nine - General Provisions
The Development Code also includes a compilation of current interpretations and an index. The frontpiece contains a summary of both the adoption and revision dates for the Development Code, including the bill and ordinance numbers with a brief summary of each revision. The frontpiece also contains a numerical contents by division and article.
For questions regarding the Development Code, contact the Community Development Planning Counter at 775.328.6100.
For information on other chapters of the Washoe County Code, including the most recent ordinances, please contact the Office of the County Clerk at 775.328.3084.
The Master Plan is contained in three volumes. Volume One contains elements that have general applicability throughout the County. Volume Two contains area plans covering each of the County planning areas. Volume Three contains the specific plans, community plans and joint plans contained within the various planning areas.
The Department of Community Development is responsible for maintaining and updating the Master Plan in response to changing conditions, legislative direction and new policy direction established by the community.
For questions regarding the Master Plan, contact the Community Development Planning Counter at 775.328.6100.
For questions regarding this web site, contact:
Sheri Ingley, Program Assistant
Phone: 775.328.3612
Fax: 775.328.6133
E-mail: singley@washoecounty.us