Following public outcry over proposed business licensing code changes—which one local business owner summed up as “bad”—officials at the City of Reno said they’re soliciting more community feedback before proceeding with any changes.
“Once the stakeholder meetings were complete, staff recognized that much more community engagement was needed,” Lance Ferrato, the city’s director of business licensing, wrote in a memo to Reno City Council members. “As a result, the comment period has now been extended to October 31 and more stakeholder meetings and workshops are scheduled to ensure that everyone has ample opportunity to engage.”
The release of the new draft codes spurred local business owners—many of whom own bars—to take to social media and highlight portions of the draft that they said were overly controlling and anti-business.
Elements of the current draft code affecting an expanded field of privileged licensees include increased requirements for background checks and on-site security, denials based on past criminal convictions—even for employees who merely need a work permit—and permission for city staff to access security footage at any time for any reason.
Nine new business types were also added to the draft, including short-term rentals. During one community feedback session, one commenter said no outreach was provided to STR owners, who were largely unaware of the draft codes. Ferrato acknowledged that because the city doesn’t currently regulate STRs there’s no contact list that can be used to reach out to the owners for feedback.
Ten new industry-specific workshops are planned from Sept. 9-24, and weekly virtual meetings are being offered for licensees with alcohol licenses, such as bars and restaurants. Times and venues for the meetings have yet to be confirmed. The list of dates is below.
- Sept. 9 – General licensing (Chapters 1-5 and 61-62) and other chapters not listed
- Sept. 10 – Adult Cabarets and Adult-Oriented Businesses (Chapters 7 and 9)
- Sept. 11 – Pawnbroker and Secondhand Dealers (Chapters 39 and 43)
- Sept. 12 – Cannabis Establishments (Chapter 19)
- Sept. 16 – General licensing (Chapters 1-5 and 61-62) and other chapters not listed
- Sept. 17 – Special Events and Expressive Activities (Chapter 51)
- Sept. 18 – Alcoholic Beverages (Chapter 13)
- Sept. 19 – Gaming and Charitable Lotteries (Chapter 25)
- Sept. 23 – General licensing (Chapters 1-5 and 61-62) and other chapters not listed
- Sept. 24 – Massage Establishments and Massage Therapists (Chapter 27)
Ferrato said that, in addition to the planned meetings and workshops, the city will promote more feedback opportunities through emails, media interviews and social media posts through Oct. 31.
Following the extended feedback period, the draft code will be revised. City Council members are tentatively scheduled to discuss the revised draft in January 2025.
