Reno City Council to Extend Package Liquor License Moratorium

Reno, Nevada will likely extend a moratorium on the issuance of new package liquor licenses at tomorrow’s City Council Meeting.

The moratorium prohibits the City of Reno from accepting any applications for an alcoholic beverage package license or wine and beer package privilege licenses, unless the business meets specific identified exceptions. Those exceptions notably include:

1. A convenience store located on the site of a gas station;
2. A business with at least 15,000 square feet and 15 percent or less of its revenue comes from alcohol sales (e.g. a supermarket);
3. A business with at least 15,000 square feet and at least 95 percent of its revenue comes from alcohol sales;
4. A hotel; or
5. A licensed on-premise licensee (e.g. a restaurant) located in certain areas of Reno.

In May 2019, the Reno City Council first approved the 1 year moratorium preventing the City from accepting new package liquor license applications, with the first four exceptions listed above. Reno was concerned about the possible negative impacts of package liquor licenses on surrounding neighborhoods. The City Council approved the moratorium to provide staff with time to research possible changes to the Reno liquor code. While Reno has presented a proposed amendment, the City has delayed public hearings because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, in April 2020, the City of Reno extended the moratorium through the end of the year. Then in May, City Council added the fifth exception to assist restaurants and bars struggling during the pandemic.

Six months later, the City of Reno is scheduled to extend the moratorium another year, through the end of 2021. The Reno City Council can of course choose to lift the moratorium sooner, notably in the event Reno is able to amend its liquor code.

Should you have any questions regarding the moratorium or liquor licensing in Reno, Nevada, please feel free to contact us at Saltzman Mugan Dushoff.