Washoe County eyes junk vehicle rule

RENO -- Washoe County officials are working out the details of a new ordinance they say will help control suburban blight by requiring junk vehicles be hidden from view.

Once in place, officials said the county will be in a stronger position to rid blight from the unincorporated communities surrounding Reno and Sparks.

In late October, the county commission backed down on an ordinance change that had set a limit of no more than two junk cars per lot.

The commission agreed it would set no limit on vehicles as long as they can't be seen by the public. With such a significant change, the draft ordinance had to be rewritten. It will be introduced Dec. 8 and a final vote is scheduled for Jan. 12.

A companion ordinance approved in September will allow the county to hire administrative hearing officers to hear these nuisance cases, uphold fines and eventually order abatement of a property and put on a lien to recover the cost when the land is sold.

Currently, the county puts no limit on the number of junk cars, as long as they are screened from view from the front of the property or a nearby street.