GENERAL
Mesa City Code § 4-1-1
in effect4-1-1: - GENERAL
(A) Title. These regulations shall be known as the "Mesa Administrative Code," may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein, as "this Chapter." (4242)
(B) Scope. The provisions of this Chapter shall serve as the administrative, organizational, and enforcement rules and regulations for the technical codes which regulate site preparation and construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, demolition, repair, maintenance, use, and occupancy of buildings, structures, and building service equipment or appurtenances attached thereto within the City of Mesa, Arizona. The intent of the technical codes is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment and to provide safety to firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations. (4242)
(C) Technical Codes. The technical codes shall include all of the following codes applied as indicated, plus the codes and standards referenced in the technical codes shall be considered part of the requirements of the technical codes to the prescribed extent of each such reference. (4242)
1. Building Code. The provisions of the Mesa Building Code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures. Refer to Chapter 4-2 for the requirements of the Mesa Building Code. (4242)
EXCEPTIONS: (4242, 4579)
(a) R-5 occupancies and their accessory structures shall comply with the Mesa Residential Code, Chapter 4-3. (4242, 4579)
(b) Existing buildings undergoing repair, alteration, or additions and change of occupancy shall be permitted to comply with the Mesa existing Building Code, Chapter 4-8. (4242, 4579)
2. Residential Code. The provisions of the Mesa Residential Code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of detached one- (1-) and two- (2-) family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three (3) stories above grade plane in height with separate means of egress and their accessory structures. Such dwellings and occupancies shall be designated as R-5 occupancies. Refer to Chapter 4-3 for the requirements of the Mesa Residential Code. (4242, 4579)
3. Electrical Code. The provisions of the Mesa Electrical Code shall apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances thereto. Refer to Chapter 4-4 for the requirements of the Mesa Electrical Code. (4242)
EXCEPTION: Electrical work for R-5 occupancies and their accessory structures shall comply with the Mesa Residential Code, Chapter 4-3. (4242, 4579)
4. Plumbing Code. The provisions of the Mesa Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair, replacement, and maintenance of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. Refer to Chapter 4-5 for the requirements of the Mesa Plumbing Code. (4242)
EXCEPTION: Plumbing work for R-5 occupancies and their accessory structures shall comply with the Mesa Residential Code, Chapter 4-3. (4242, 4579)
5. Mechanical Code. The provisions of the Mesa Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs, and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and/or appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other energy-related systems. Refer to Chapter 4-6 for the requirements of the Mesa Mechanical Code. (4242)
EXCEPTION: Mechanical work for R-5 occupancies and their accessory structures shall comply with the Mesa Residential Code, Chapter 4-3. (4242, 4579)
6. Fuel Gas Code. The provisions of the Mesa Fuel Gas Code shall apply to the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances, and related accessories as covered in Chapter 4-7. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances and the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories. Refer to Chapter 4-7 for the requirements of the Mesa Fuel Gas Code. (4242)
EXCEPTIONS: (4242, 4579)
(a) Fuel gas work for R-5 occupancies and their accessory structures shall comply with the Mesa Residential Code, Chapter 4-3. (4242, 4579)
(b) Portable LP-gas equipment of all types not connected to a fixed fuel piping system. (4242)
(c) Oxygen-fuel gas cutting and welding systems. (4242)
(d) Industrial gas applications using gases such as acetylene and acetylenic compounds, hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitrogen. (4242)
(e) Petroleum refineries, pipeline compressor or pumping stations, loading terminals, compounding plants, refinery tank farms, and natural gas processing plants. (4242)
(f) Integrated chemical plants or portions of such plants where flammable or combustible liquids or gases are produced by, or used in, chemical reactions. (4242)
(g) LP-gas installations at utility gas plants. (4242)
(h) Liquefied natural gas (LNG) installations. (4242)
(i) Fuel gas piping in power and atomic energy plants. (4242)
(j) Proprietary items of equipment, apparatus, or instruments such as gas-generating sets, compressors, and calorimeters. (4242)
(k) LP-gas equipment for vaporization, gas mixing, and gas manufacturing. (4242)
(l) Temporary LP-gas piping for buildings under construction or renovation not becoming part of the permanent piping system. (4242)
7. Existing Building Code. The provisions of the Mesa Existing Building Code shall apply to existing buildings undergoing repair, alteration, addition, relocation, and change of occupancy. Refer to Chapter 4-8 for the requirements of the Mesa Existing Building Code. (4242)
EXCEPTION: A building or portion of a building not previously occupied, used for its intended purpose, or for which a Certificate of Occupancy has not been issued shall comply with the Mesa Building Code, Chapter 4-2. (4242)
8. Fire Code. The provisions of the Mesa Fire Code shall apply to matters affecting or relating to structures, processes, and premises from the hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling, or use of structures, materials, or devices; from conditions hazardous to life, property, or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; and from the construction, extension, repair, alteration, or removal of fire suppression and alarm systems or fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation. (4242)
9. Energy Conservation Code. The provisions of the Mesa Energy Conservation Code shall apply to the energy efficiency of building thermal envelopes and installation of energy efficient mechanical, lighting, and power systems. Refer to the Mesa Energy Conservation Code, Chapter 4-9, for the requirements. (5055)
10. Swimming Pool and Spa Code. The provisions of the Mesa Swimming Pool and Spa Code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, renovation, replacement, repair and maintenance of aquatic recreation facilities, pools and spas. (5481)
(D) Appendices. Provisions in the appendices of the technical codes shall not apply unless specifically adopted. (4242)
(E) Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall have the meanings as shown in this Chapter. Definitions located in the technical codes are hereby incorporated into this Chapter. (4242)
BUILDING: Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy. (4242)
BUILDING, EXISTING: A building erected prior to the adoption of this Chapter* [2] or one for which a legal certificate of occupancy has been issued for at least one (1) year. (4242)
BUILDING SAFETY DIRECTOR: The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this Chapter and the technical codes, or a regularly authorized deputy or other designee. The Building Safety Director shall be appointed by the City Manager or his designee. When the term or title administrative authority, Building Official, chief inspector, code enforcement officer, code official, gas official, plumbing official, mechanical official, responsible official, or other similar designation is used in this Chapter or in any of the technical codes, it shall be construed to mean the Building Safety Director. (4242)
BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT: The plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and elevator equipment including piping, wiring, fixtures, and other accessories which provide sanitation, lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration, firefighting, and transportation facilities essential to the occupancy of the building or structure for its designated use. (4242)
JURISDICTION: The City of Mesa, Arizona. (4242)
OWNER: The person, firm, corporation, company, partnership, joint venture, association, estate, trust, receiver, or other legal entity, with legal or equitable interest in a property. (4242,5273)
PERMIT: The official document issued by the Building Safety Director authorizing performance of a specified, legal activity. (4242)
R-5 OCCUPANCIES: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with separate means of egress and their accessory structures. (4579)
SHALL: As used in this Chapter and the technical codes is mandatory. (4242)
TENANT COMPLETION: The work performed by or on behalf of the initial tenant in a shell building, or space within a shell building, resulting in the completion and occupancy of the building or space. (4579)
TENANT IMPROVEMENT: Work performed by or on behalf of a tenant in a completed building, or space within a building, that has previously received a Certificate of Occupancy. (4579)
(Ord. No. 5979, § 2, 12-8-25)
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_TIT4BURE_CH1MEADCO_4-1-1GEFetched: 11/1/2026