Knowledge Base

Nuisance Codes – Land Use (Zoning) Regulations

This information sheet summarizes the most common types of code complaints received by the
Planning & Building Division within the Community Services Department. Please contact the
Division’s compliance staff at 775.328.6106 or Code-Enforcement@washoecounty.us for more
information on any of these common complaints. Complaints may also be submitted on-line
through Washoe311.

NUISANCE REGULATIONS
The Division’s Code Enforcement Officers (CEOs) are authorized to enforce certain nuisance
regulations. These regulations include:
• Outdoor storage of junk vehicles, building material, and/or appliances, and/or debris in
public view.
Remedy: All vehicles, material, appliances, and/or debris must be removed or screened
from public view. Vehicles may also be registered with DMV and therefore not
considered as a junk vehicle. Building material is allowed with a valid building
permit. Screening must be at least 6 feet in height, and must provide both physical
separation and visual obscuration on all sides and in all seasons.
Notes: Storage is a time period longer than 72 hours.
“Public view” means plainly visible from the public right-of-way. Items enclosed
within a lawful screen (e.g., a fence) are not considered to be in public view.
Complaints about solid waste, trash, refuse, rubbish and/or garbage should be
reported to the Health District on-line through Washoe311 or by phone at
775.328.2434.
• Maintenance of a property in such a state of disrepair or deterioration that could cause
damage to other property or improvements, or cause or contribute to blight and a
substantial reduction in the value of neighboring properties.
Remedy: The condition on the property must be remedied, rectified and/or removed.
Note: Often the nuisance conditions on these properties are more properly classified as
another type of County Code violation. Code compliance staff should be
contacted for more information.
• Excessive foliage and/or other nuisance conditions on the exterior of any foreclosed
residential property.
Remedy: The foliage or nuisance condition on the property must be remedied, rectified
and/or removed.

LAND USE (ZONING) REGULATIONS
The most prevalent land use (zoning) violations enforced by the CEOs include:
• Outdoor storage of a commercial vehicle and/or commercial equipment on a residentially
zoned property.
Remedy: The commercial vehicle or commercial equipment must be removed from the
property.
Note: Storage of a commercial vehicle or equipment on a residentially zoned property is
a time period longer than 72 hours.
• Cargo and/or rental storage containers which do not meet placement and/or development
standards, and/or permit requirements.
Remedy: Cargo containers permanently placed on a property must meet all Washoe County
set back standards; are limited to 1 container on parcels less than 1/2 acre, 2
containers on parcels between 1/2 and 5 acres, and 1 container per acre on
parcels greater than 5 acres and must be painted a solid, muted color that blends
with the surrounding vegetation, structures, or topography. Cargo or rental
storage containers temporarily placed on a property must meet development
standards which limit the duration of the time they are allowed on the property.
These standards include a time frame associated with a current, valid building
permit, or a maximum of 60 days for a rental storage container.
Note: There are other requirements for cargo/storage containers in County Code. Code
compliance staff should be contacted for more information.
• Living or sleeping in a recreational vehicle or travel trailer.
Remedy: A recreational vehicle, travel trailer, or fifth wheel trailer shall not be used for
sleeping or as a dwelling.
Notes: Temporary camping is allowed, subject to a limited occupancy time period not to
exceed 14 consecutive days for each visit and no more than 4 visits in a calendar
year.
The RV may also be used as a temporary dwelling when there is a valid residential
dwelling building permit issued for the property.
• Storage of an unoccupied manufactured or mobile home.
Remedy: The manufactured or mobile home must be removed from the property.
Note: Storage is a time period longer than 72 hours. The manufactured or mobile home
does not have a valid set-up permit and is not connected to utilities.