A lengthy discussion at the Reno City Council meeting on Wednesday, as city staff discussed the institution of c-scale audio limits at local live entertainment establishments.

Currently, some grandfathered-in bars in certain areas of Reno enjoy unrestricted live entertainment without noise limits, while newer establishments face different regulations requiring a conditional use permit specific to their location.

It’s created an imbalance throughout the city that Reno staff wants to fix.

Recently, Reno officials conducted a noise study at establishments throughout the city, testing for the c-scale noise, which relates to the boom and base that comes from music, rather than the a-scale, which simply measures how loud audio is being played.

The original ordinance involved capping noise levels at 80 decibels beyond 11 p.m.

But on Wednesday, the city council directed Assistant Development Services Director Angela Fuss to look into other cities that have instituted c-scale limits, like Key West and Atlanta.

“We are a 24-hour entertainment downtown, but we have people moving in. We wanna make sure that we’re not making this an uncomfortable place to live. So we’re just, again, going to try and look at some best practices from communities that are similar to Reno in terms of nightlife and see if we can come up with some suggestions,” Fuss said.

They are also considering requiring grandfathered-in businesses to submit a security plan at their cabaret license review.

City staff were also directed to reach out to local bar owners like Shea Tavern’s Lacey Shea, and get their thoughts on the proposal, even though she does like the idea as currently put forth.

“As a whole, as a community, if we stop music or entertainment at 11 pm, I think that impacts everyone in the nightlife or bar atmosphere,” said Shea.

The city did not provide a firm timetable for when they would revisit the topic, but city staff will work on this project over the next few months.