The City of Reno is seeking community input on live entertainment regulations and invites the public to several virtual feedback opportunities.
Feedback gathered will be shared at a future Reno City Council meeting, where staff will look for guidance on potential next steps, including possible changes to the zoning code regulations.
At the June 11, 2025 Reno City Council Meeting,
staff presented an overview of the current zoning code standards related to live entertainment activities. Council directed staff to collect community input on specific topics including security plans, public hearing process, enforcement and overall, what is working and not working, prior to moving forwarding with any recommendations.
“We understand that live entertainment is a top priority for local businesses looking to provide more engaging experiences for their customers,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. “It’s important that our community members share their perspectives on the matter, and we encourage everyone to participate in these virtual feedback meetings.”
Live entertainment regulations have changed over the years, resulting in differences between older and newer venues. Many older bars and nightclubs are allowed to offer unrestricted live entertainment, while newer venues have different rules outlined through a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).
Live entertainment includes activities such as singing, dancing, trivia nights, karaoke, and more. These inconsistent regulations have made it challenging to enforce the rules across all businesses.
Topics for feedback include:
- Live entertainment after 11 p.m.: The current zoning code requires a CUP for live entertainment after 11 p.m. Should the requirements be deleted, modified or unchanged?
- Security plan requirements: Businesses with live entertainment after 11 p.m. are currently required to provide a security plan. Should the security plan requirements be different, depending on the business type?
- Stricter enforcement: Should the City create stricter enforcement for violations, which could result in a loss of a Cabaret License and the ability to host live entertainment?
- General feedback: Are there specific things in the live entertainment regulations that are working well or that need to be changed?
Virtual community meeting schedule:
- Monday, September 29 at 9 a.m.
- Tuesday, September 30 at 12 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 2 at 6 p.m.
All three meetings will be virtual only and recordings will be uploaded to the City’s website afterwards. For those who are unable to attend these virtual meetings, feedback will be collected via the Live Entertainment Input Form.
For more information on the current zoning code regulations, please refer to the Title 18 Zoning Code in the City’s Annexation and Land Development Code handbook. The Live Entertainment standards can be found in Section 18.03.405(k), beginning on page 208.
