Reno adopted an ordinance on July 22, 2026, updating its property-maintenance standards by adopting the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code with regional amendments. The change replaces the city’s 2012 property-maintenance code. Owners, landlords, and buyers should treat it as a reason to review a property’s condition and local requirements, not as a reason to guess at compliance.
What changed in Reno’s 2026 update
The City of Reno says the ordinance updates Reno Municipal Code Chapter 14.05 and includes standards for vacant buildings, accessibility, fire safety, plumbing, mechanical systems, and building maintenance. It also replaces the prior downtown standards with updated redevelopment-area standards that now include RDA 2.
Why vacant-property conditions deserve attention
Vacant properties can deteriorate quickly when windows, landscaping, waste areas, plumbing, or security are neglected. Reno says the updated redevelopment-area standards address issues such as graffiti removal, landscaping, waste enclosures, window maintenance, sidewalk cleanliness, and queue-line management. Investors and owners should check the actual location and standard that applies before planning work.
Inspect before you buy or list
A general home inspection is important, but it does not answer every local code question. Walk the property with an eye toward visible maintenance, damaged exterior elements, drainage, accumulated debris, accessible routes, and equipment that needs evaluation. Sellers should avoid promising that a property is code-compliant unless they have a reliable basis for that statement.
Use permits and records carefully
Past permits, inspections, and recorded documents can add context to a property file, but they do not guarantee present compliance. Keep the address, APN, permit information, inspection reports, contractor invoices, and photographs together. If you receive a notice, use the City of Reno’s current guidance and contact the responsible department with property-specific questions.
Plan maintenance as part of long-term ownership
Routine maintenance protects safety, livability, and resale readiness. For owners also thinking about fire resilience, our Reno market comparison offers local context. Property Records of Nevada can help with organized property research, while Reno’s code-enforcement materials and qualified local professionals are the right sources for compliance decisions.
