Reno Development News

City Proposes Major Overhaul of Alcohol Licensing Code, Introducing Delivery and To-Go Options

The city is proposing significant updates to its alcohol licensing code, including revised definitions, consolidated license sections, and new provisions for alcohol delivery and to-go cocktails. Key changes address definitions of terms like 'change of ownership,' 'food-covers establishment,' 'premises,' and 'specified anatomical areas.' The code consolidates various license types into a single, alphabetized section for clarity. New provisions are introduced for alcohol delivery services and to-go alcohol sales, aligning with state statutes. The discussion also covered amendments to prohibited activities, the handling of minors in establishments, and location compatibility, particularly the 'sensitive use' definition and its 500 ft radius, with proposed shifts towards administrative approval and security plans over blanket prohibitions. Provisions for inactive licenses, state license requirements, and administrative approvals for certain license changes were also refined. Additionally, the city is seeking council direction on discretionary sections related to packaged alcohol licenses and is clarifying standards for visibility and security measures like metal bars and grates on windows, allowing for administrative approval under certain conditions. Updates also address the package alcohol license cap downtown and in the Wells Avenue overlay, and allow for more flexible ID verification equipment. Feedback from business owners and stakeholders was solicited on these changes, with a follow-up meeting scheduled before presenting to the council on July 22nd.