CIVIC SPACES
Mesa City Code § 11-62-3
in effect11-62-3: - CIVIC SPACES
A. The standards established in this Chapter provide the transect zones with a diverse palette of parks and other publicly accessible civic spaces, publicly or privately owned, that are essential components of walkable urban environments.
B. There are 11 different civic space types defined in Table A (Civic Space Type Standards). Two of the civic space types, Playgrounds and Community Gardens, may be incorporated into any of the other nine types or may stand alone.
C. In Table A (Civic Space Type Standards), the illustration and description of each civic space type are illustrative in nature and not regulatory.
D. The service area, size, frontage and disposition of elements standards of each civic space types are regulatory.
1. Service Area. Describes how the civic space relates to the City as a whole and the area that will be served by the civic space.
2. Size. The overall range of allowed sizes of the civic space.
3. Frontage. The relationship along property lines of a civic space to adjacent buildings or lots.
a. The front of the lots attached to or across a thoroughfare from a civic spaces should face on to the civic space to the maximum extent possible.
b. Building. Lots that are attached to or across a thoroughfare from civic spaces listed as having an "Building" frontage shall have the front of the lot facing on to the civic space for a minimum of three quarters of the civic space perimeter.
[image omitted; see the official code]
c. Independent. Lots that are attached to or across a thoroughfare from civic spaces listed as having an "Independent" may have the front, side street, or rear of the lot facing on to the civic space.
4. Disposition of Elements. The placement of objects within the civic space.
a. Natural. Civic spaces with natural character are designed in a natural manner with no formal arrangement of elements.
b. Formal. Civic spaces with a formal character have a more rigid layout that follows geometric forms and has trees and other elements arranged in formal patterns.
c. Informal. Civic spaces with an informal character have a mix of Formal and Natural characteristics.
E. Typical Facilities. A list of the typical facilities found within the civic space. This list is not intended to be a complete list of facilities allowed nor is it intended that every civic space would contain each of the facilities listed. Facilities larger than indicated gross square footage (gsf) require review and approval by the Director and Parks Director.
F. The civic spaces specified in Table A (Civic Space Type Standards) are allowed By Right or By Review in the designated transect zones. (Civic Space allowed By Review are allowed if approved by the Director and Parks Director.)
Table 11-62-3.A Civic Space Type Standards
Transect Zone | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
Civic Space Type | Regional Park | Sport Complex | Community Park
Illustration | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
Description | A natural preserve available for unstructured recreation. | An open space that consolidates heavily programmed athletic fields and associated facilities. | An open space available for unstructured recreation and a limited amount of structured recreation.
Location and Size
Location
Service Area | Regional | Regional | Multiple Neighborhoods
Size
Minimum | 200 acres | 25 acres | 12 acres
Maximum | - | - | -
Character
Frontage | Independent | Independent | Independent
Disposition of Elements | Natural, Formal or Informal | Formal or Informal | Informal
Typical Facilities
Passive and Active Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Community Facility <7,500 gsf, Paths and Trails | Passive and Active Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Community Facility <7,500 gsf, Paths and Trails | Passive and Active Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Community Facility <5,000 gsf, Paths and Trails
[image omitted; see the official code]
Table 11-62-3.A Civic Space Type Standards (continued)
Transect Zone | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
Civic Space Type | Greenway | Neighborhood Green | Neighborhood Square
Illustration | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
Description | A linear open space that may follow natural corridors providing unstructured and limited amounts of structured recreation. | An open space available for unstructured and limited amounts of structured recreation. | An open space available for civic purposes, unstructured and limited amounts of structured recreation.
Location and Size
Location
Service Area | Multiple Neighborhoods | Neighborhood | Neighborhood
Size
Minimum | 8 acres (60' wide by 1 mile long) | 1 acre | ½ acre
Maximum | - | 15 acres | 5 acres
Character
Frontage | Independent or Building | Building | Building
Disposition of Elements | Natural or Informal | Informal | Formal
Typical Facilities
Passive and Active Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Community Facility <5,000 gsf, Paths and Trails | Passive and Active (unstructured or structured) Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Community Facility <5,000 gsf, Paths and Trails | Passive and Active (unstructured or structured) Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Community Facility <5,000 gsf, Paths and Trails
[image omitted; see the official code]
Table 11-62-3.A Civic Space Type Standards (continued)
Transect Zone | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
Civic Space Type | Plaza | Pocket Plaza | Pocket Park
Illustration | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
Description | A formal open space available for civic purposes and commercial activities. Plazas are typically hardscaped. Commercial activities shall be subordinate to Civic use. | A formal open space available for civic purposes and commercial activities. Pocket Plazas are typically hardscaped. Commercial activities shall be subordinate to Civic use. | An open space available for informal activities in close proximity to neighborhood residences.
Location and Size
Location
Service Area | Neighborhood | Neighborhood | Neighborhood
Size
Minimum | ½ acre | 2,000 sf | 2,000 sf
Maximum | 2½ acres | ½ acre | 1 acre
Character
Frontage | Building | Building | Building
Disposition of Elements | Formal | Formal | Formal or Informal
Typical Facilities
Passive Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Paths and Trails | Passive Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Paths and Trails | Passive Recreation, Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Paths and Trails
[image omitted; see the official code]
Table 11-62-3.A Civic Space Type Standards (continued)
Transect Zone | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
Civic Space Type | Playground | Community Garden1
Illustration | [image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
Description | An open space designed and equipped for the recreation of children. A Playground should be fenced and may include an open shelter. Playgrounds may be included within other civic spaces. | An open space designed as a grouping of garden plots that are available to nearby residents for small-scale cultivation. Community Gardens may be included within other civic spaces.
Location and Size
Location
Service Area | Neighborhood | Neighborhood
Size
Minimum | - | -
Maximum | - | -
Character
Frontage | Independent or Building | Independent or Building
Disposition of Elements | Formal or Informal | Formal or Informal
Typical Facilities
Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Paths and Trails | Accessory Structure, Drinking Fountains, Paths and Trails
1 See Section 11-31-10 (Community Gardens) for specific standards.
[image omitted; see the official code]
Source: City of Mesa, Arizona, Mesa City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/az/mesa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT11ZOOR_ART6FOSECO_CH62CISPST_11-62-3CISPFetched: 11/1/2026