Business Licensing Code Updates

Updates to RMC 5.07 - Alcoholic Beverages 

At the July 22, 2026 Council meeting, Council heard a presentation and directed staff to return with an ordinance introduction amending regarding Reno Municipal Code (RMC) Chapter 5.07 that governs alcoholic beverages by reorganizing, modernizing, and streamlining the regulations. In August 2024, staff began extensive outreach efforts to help draft the ordinance presented to Council today. This outreach included gathering feedback from alcohol licensees, hosting multiple stakeholder meetings, individual discussions, virtual meetings, and public comment opportunities. Proposed policy changes include, but are not limited to the following: alcohol delivery, to-go alcohol sales, locational compatibility standards, Council discretion in license approvals, noise enforcement, and exceptions to the downtown package alcohol license cap. The proposed revisions are intended to make the code clearer, more consistent, and easier to understand and enforce while removing outdated provisions. The current draft is for discussion purposes only and does not represent a final ordinance. Staff will return to Council with a revised ordinance for formal introduction and consideration.

• July 22, 2026 Council Meeting (Beginning at 4:05) and Staff Report for item C.2
• Redline draft
• Clean draft

Two virtual workshops were held to gather community feedback on these proposed changes.

• Tuesday, June 23, 2026
• Thursday, June 25, 2026

Nonprofit Organization Engagement Process

The City is inviting community input on recommendations and potential impacts of amending and enforcing an ordinance regulating nonprofit organization (“NPO”) registration. City staff held three virtual workshops to collect feedback. The presentation is linked for reference and provides additional detail regarding the topics to be discussed.

Virtual Meeting Dates

• View November 17th Virtual Meeting
• View November 18th Virtual Meeting
• View November 20th Virtual Meeting

Background

NPOs are often exempt from business licensure because they are not operating for profit, and their purpose is typically to benefit society or a specific cause. Much like the State, the City has provisions exempting nonprofits from the requirements of getting licensed. Specifically, pursuant to RMC Sec. 4.04.007, “the terms "business" or "doing business" do not include:

1. Activities conducted by, or for the exclusive benefit of, organizations that are certified as tax exempt entities pursuant to 26 U.S.C. Section 501(c), including but not limited to organizations operated for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, educational, or fraternal purposes.”

Additionally, per RMC Sec. 4.04.008, “charitable organization means an organization which:

1. Is exempt from federal income tax pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, and
2. Has received from the Nevada Secretary of State a certificate of nonprofit corporation, association or society.”

However, historically, the registration and/or licensure of NPOs has been a topic of discussion in terms of city planning and public safety. Since NPOs are exempt from licensing, the Planning Division may not always have knowledge of an NPO’s existence and could potentially approve an incompatible use nearby. Similarly, applicable City staff is not always aware of the existence of these entities so they aren’t necessarily inspected and/or reviewed like a commercial business would be.

At the June 11, 2025, City Council meeting (Item C.3), staff presented information on the current exemptions for NPO licensing, approaches used by other jurisdictions, and the impacts of amending and enforcing an ordinance governing this matter. Ultimately, Council directed staff to conduct community outreach and return with a draft ordinance.