April 24, 2026, 10:27 a.m. PT
In the last 30 years, I have watched Reno double in size. We have a special place here, and it is gratifying to have other people appreciate it too. Without a better plan and a more thoughtful process, however, we risk losing much of what makes Reno so special.
I have been teaching business law at the university, and more than a few students have told me they can’t afford to stay here after graduation. For a variety of reasons, we aren’t building the type of housing that our graduates, teachers and first responders can afford, and we also aren’t building houses that work for our neighborhoods. The result is a city that risks becoming unaffordable and unsustainable for the very people who built it.
Housing is at the center of this challenge. Reno struggles with a lack of both available and affordable housing. Some say we should just keep building houses so supply keeps up with demand. But simply building more isn’t enough. That’s growth without a plan, and it doesn’t strengthen our city; it strains it. We need to build with purpose because we are building homes. Homes that give families stability. Homes that help working people build wealth. Homes that anchor our neighborhoods where people feel connected, invested and proud to stay.
When we just build, we ignore planning and we don’t just risk overcrowding — we risk unraveling what makes Reno special.
I am running for Mayor to build a stronger Reno where working families can still afford to live, where young people can build a future and where neighborhoods remain strong and connected.
That doesn’t mean stopping growth; it means shaping it. We can leverage the regulations we already have to yield the results we desire. I support streamlining our permitting process by having multiple departments review project plans at the same time rather than sequentially. In communities across the country this has lowered costs and reduced approval times to 45 to 90 days, half the time the City of Reno takes today.
I support building with purpose — so new housing strengthens, not disrupts, our neighborhoods. That means integrating thoughtfully scaled homes where they fit, while focusing apartments and multi-family housing along major roads and bus routes that can support growth.
By prioritizing smaller, attainable homes, we can restore the “missing middle” that keeps Reno affordable for working families. And by concentrating more housing along key roads, we connect residents to jobs, services and everyday essentials — keeping our city more accessible, efficient and livable for everyone.
Examples of housing that fits includes the use of flag lots (currently allowed in Reno) and cottage courts (allowed in Washoe) which can address the important need for smaller starter homes and more affordable housing. It uses the land we have more efficiently and ensures that such homes blend seamlessly into the existing fabric of our neighborhoods. Planning in this way results in fewer driveways, reduces the visual dominance of cars on the streets and makes room for more walkable neighborhoods.
By building apartments and multi-family units along major roads and bus lines, we can create more diverse neighborhoods where residents have access to jobs, shopping and more urban amenities. Multifamily housing along major roads increases the spending power of our community and supports our small businesses and entrepreneurs. It also supports more neighborhood scale retail such as locally owned restaurants and small retail stores.
In planning vernacular this is called “human scale housing and economic development” and it supports local builders who are committed to Reno’s long-term future, not just short-term gains. It also means holding developers accountable for their promises, so that we can rebuild the community’s trust in city leadership.
The choice is ours — but the window to act is closing. We are building Reno for the next generation. It’s time to start planning like it.
Kate Marshall is a former Nevada lieutenant governor and state treasurer. She is running for Reno mayor in 2026.
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