SITE PLANNING AND DESIGN STANDARDS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT DISTRICTS
Mesa City Code § 11-7-4
in effect11-7-4: - SITE PLANNING AND DESIGN STANDARDS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT DISTRICTS
A. Character and Image.
1. Shared Characteristics.
a. In multiple building developments, each individual building shall include predominant characteristics shared by each building so that the buildings within the development appear to be part of a cohesive, planned area, yet are not monotonous in design.
b. Compatibility shall be achieved through techniques such as, the replication of roof lines, the use of similar proportions in building mass and outdoor spaces, similar relationships to the street, similar window and door patterns, or the use of building materials that have color shades and textures that are similar to or complimentary to those existing on, or in the immediate area of, the subject property.
2. No Established Theme or Stand-alone Development. Where there is no established or consistent neighborhood or area character or unifying theme, or where the existing character is not desirable to continue, because it does not reflect a design theme consistent with the development standards as described in this Chapter, the proposed development shall be designed to establish character and a sense of place through the strategic use of architectural elements, building form, materials, landscaping, lighting etc. which creates a cohesive theme or style for future developments and buildings within the area to follow.
3. Corporate Architecture. Where the proposed architecture of a building or structure is the result of a franchise style, prototypical or franchise architectural design, including materials and color, shall be modified if necessary to meet these development standards and set a standard, or contribute to a high-level of quality for future developments and buildings within the area.
B. Employee and Visitor Amenities. Development within the Employment District shall provide common open space and amenities for the useful enjoyment of employees and visitors to the site. Common open space shall be located adjacent to buildings and be furnished with eating areas, site furniture (such as benches, tables, waste receptacles, planters), or other amenities.
1. Buildings 30,000 square feet or larger, shall provide common open space at a rate of 1% per building gross floor area (GFA). A collection of smaller buildings linked by common walls is considered one (1) building.
2. Multiple areas of common open space are encouraged; however, the minimum size of any one (1) common open space shall be 300 square feet with a minimum dimension of 15 feet in any direction.
3. At least 50% of common open space must be open to the sky.
4. At least 75% of the open space area must be landscaped and maintain live plant material if the area is not otherwise used as active recreation facilities.
C. Massing and Scale. Buildings shall contain varied massing and architectural elements and techniques shall be utilized to reduce the apparent massing and scale of buildings, provide shading, and define different uses and activities in the buildings.
1. Façade Articulation. Exterior building walls shall be subdivided and proportioned to human scale, using projections, overhangs and recesses in order to add architectural interest and variety and to avoid long, uninterrupted wall planes.
a. Publicly Visible Façades. Street-facing and publicly visible façades (viewed from right-of-way or private property), shall have at least one (1) horizontal projection or recess of at least four (4) feet in depth, or two (2) projections or recesses of at least 2.5 feet in depth, for every 50 horizontal feet of wall.
b. Non-publicly Visible Façades. For side or rear walls not publicly visible from right-of-way or private property, articulation may be provided by any combination of the following for every 50 horizontal feet of wall:
i. One (1) horizontal projection or recess of at least four (4) feet in depth, or two (2) projections or recesses of at least 2.5 feet in depth;
ii. Change in color accompanied by a distinct change in texture, pattern, or coursing;
iii. Windows or fenestration (false windows and door openings) defined by frames, sills, or lintels;
iv. Trellises with climbing plants; or
v. Projecting fins or louvres extending at least four (4) inches from the wall plane.
2. Building Projections into Setbacks. Appropriate separation shall be maintained between buildings on adjacent properties to allow for light, air, and circulation while recognizing the need to allow minor projections that improve the effectiveness of environmental or aesthetic features.
a. Awnings, eaves, overhangs, light shelves and basement window wells may encroach up to three (3) feet into any required setback, but shall not be closer than two (2) feet to any property line.
b. Building projections shall be no closer than 15 feet to any property line adjacent to sites located in the RS and RSL Districts.
3. Roof Articulation. Roof articulation is required to provide architectural interest at the skyline and accentuate appropriate building elements.
a. Varied Roof Form or Height. Roof forms shall be integrated into the building design and vary over different parts of the building. Each building shall provide at least two (2) changes in height or roof form, achieved through changes in pitch, plane, and orientation.
b. Flat Roofs. Flat roofs or façades with a horizontal eave, fascia, or parapet, in excess of 100 feet in length, shall provide vertical modulation that is the greater of either:
i. Two (2) feet; or
ii. One-tenth ( 1/10 ) the height of the supporting wall height, not to exceed one-third (⅓) of the wall height.
c. Parapet Detailing. All parapets must have details such as cornices, moldings, trim, or variations in brick coursing.
d. Height Transitions in Multi-Building Developments. Multiple building developments shall be configured to locate the tallest and largest structures within the core of the site and provide a gradual decrease in building height and mass towards adjacent residential land uses.
D. Materials. Buildings and structures shall be constructed of durable, high-quality materials appropriate for the Arizona climate.
1. Primary Exterior Building Materials.
a. Primary exterior building materials are brick, stone, integrally tinted and textured masonry block, precast concrete, synthetic wood, natural and synthetic stone, stucco and synthetic stucco, or other material approved by the Planning Director.
b. Variations in the color, finish, or texture of a material (e.g. form-board concrete, smooth stucco vs sand stucco, etc.) shall not be considered separate or distinct materials for the purpose of meeting the material requirements of this section.
c. Glazing may be considered as a primary exterior building material only when it is installed as an architectural glazing system (e.g., curtainwall, structural glass wall) and comprises more than 30% of an individual building façade. Standard window systems, storefront glazing, and other non-architectural fenestration shall not qualify as a primary building material for the purposes of this requirement.
2. Minimum Use of Primary Materials.
a. Publicly Visible Façades.
i. Each publicly visible building façades shall incorporate at least two (2) different primary exterior building materials.
ii. Primary exterior materials shall cover no less than 75% of each building façade.
iii. Each primary building material used to satisfy Subsection (2)(a)(i) above shall cover at least 25% of that façade.
b. Non-publicly Visible Façades. For side or rear walls not publicly visible from rights-of-way or private property, primary exterior materials shall cover no less than 50% of each building façade.
c. Primary Material Calculation. Primary building material coverage shall be calculated by measuring the area of each façade, excluding non-architectural fenestration, storefront systems, pedestrian and vehicular openings, mechanical equipment, and signage. The percentage of each primary building material shall be calculated by dividing the area covered by that material by the resulting façade area.
3. Architectural Metals. Architectural metals, such as bronze, brass, copper, aluminum, metal-composite material (MCM), and steel shall not cover more than 25% of a building façade.
4. Change in Materials.
a. Where material changes are horizontal (i.e., different materials side by side) the transition between materials shall occur at a change in wall plane, preferably at inside corners or where architectural elements intersect (e.g., pilasters, bays, projections), and shall not occur mid-field on a flat wall surface.
b. Where material changes are vertical (i.e., different materials stacked one above another), the transition between materials shall include a belt course, trim band, sill, cap, frame, or similar element to separate the two (2) materials.
5. Roof Materials. All visible pitched roofs shall consist of metal seam, clay tile, concrete tile, or a similar grade of roofing material.
E. All Sided Architecture. Architectural detailing shall be applied to all sides of a building. While detailing may vary based on orientation and context, all façades visible from a street, parking lot, or open space shall incorporate a level of architectural quality, materials, articulation, and detailing equivalent to the primary façade.
F. Colors.
1. Buildings larger than 10,000 square feet shall use at least two (2) exterior colors on every façade that is publicly visible.
2. Changes in building color shall occur at the inside corners where wall planes change, or be separated by a façade element or architectural detail.
G. Building Entrances. Primary building entrances shall be clearly defined, shaded, and inviting. The architectural details of building entrances shall be integrated with the overall building design in terms of materials, scale, proportion, and design elements and are appropriately scaled for people.
1. Entry Definition. Entries shall have a roofed projection or recess with a minimum depth of five (5) feet and minimum horizontal area of 50 square feet.
2. Orientation. Primary entries shall face the street or primary pedestrian areas.
H. Access, Circulation, and Parking.
1. Parking Area Design.
a. Parking areas, including areas used for the parking and storage of commercial trucks and trailers, shall be located to the side or rear of buildings, except;
b. A maximum of two (2) rows of required off-street parking may be located between the building and adjacent street.
2. Location of Parking Spaces. A minimum 25% of the required parking spaces shall be provided within 200 feet of the building served, with the balance of the required parking within 400 feet.
(Ord. No. 5996, § 1, 3-9-26)
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_ART2BAZO_CH7EMDI_11-7-4SIPLDESTEMDIFetched: 11/1/2026