DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR THE DOWNTOWN RESIDENCE DISTRICTS
Mesa City Code § 11-8-3
in effect11-8-3: - DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR THE DOWNTOWN RESIDENCE DISTRICTS
Table 11-8-3.A prescribes the development standards for the DR Districts. The "Additional Standards" column lists additional standards that apply in some or all districts. Section numbers in this column refer to other sections of the Zoning Ordinance, while individual letters refer to subsections that directly follow the table.
Table 11-8-3.A: Development Standards - DR Downtown Residence Districts
Standard | DR-1 | DR-2 | DR-3 | Additional Standards
Lot and Density Standards
Minimum Lot Area (sq. ft.)
1 dwelling unit | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000
2 dwelling units | NA | 11,000 | 7,000
3 dwelling units | NA | 15,000 | 11,000
4 or more units in DR-2 | NA | 18,000 | NA
4 dwelling units in DR-3 | NA | NA | 15,000
5 or more dwelling units | NA | NA | 18,000
Maximum Density (dwelling units/net acre) | NA | 12 | 40
Building Form and Location
Maximum Height (ft.) | 30 | 30 | 40
Minimum Setback (ft.)
Front | 15 | 15 | 10 | Section 11-8-3(A), Transitional Standards
Interior Side: 1-story building | 5 | 1-2 units: 5 ft. 3+ units: 15 ft. | 10
Interior side: 2-story building | 5 | 1 unit: 5 ft. 2 units: 10 ft. 3+ units: 15 ft. | 15
Interior side: 3-story building | 20 | 20 | 20
Street Side | 10 | 10 | 10
Rear: 1-story building | 15 | 15 | 10
Rear: 2-story building | 20 | 20 | 20
Rear: 3-story building | 20 | 20 | 20
Parking Spaces | 20 | 20 | 20
Minimum Open Space (sq. ft./dwelling unit) | Single Residence- detached: 400 | Single Residence- detached and attached: 400 Multiple Residence: 200 | Single Residence-detached and attached: 400 Multiple Residence: 200 | Section 11-8-3(B), Multiple Residence and Single Residence-Attached Open Space Requirements
A. Transitional Standards. For a residential structure in the DR-3 District that is adjacent to the DR-1 District or the DR-2 District, the following shall apply:
1. Front Yard Setback. The required front yard setback shall be the same as that in the DR-1 and DR-2 Districts, i.e. 15 feet. This 15-foot front yard setback shall be required for the first 40 feet of lot street frontage adjacent to the DR-1 or DR-2 District.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-8-3.A(1): TRANSITION TO
RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE IN DR-3 DISTRICT
2. Roof Profile.
a. Height. The height of new residential structures in the DR-3 District shall be no more than 10 feet greater than the height of the existing residential structure in the DR-1 or DR-2 Districts.
b. Roof Form. The roof of the new residential structures in the DR-3 District shall have the same form (i.e. gable, gambrel, hip, mansard, parapet, pitched, and shed) as the adjacent existing residential structure in the DR-1 or DR-2 Districts.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-8-3.A(2): TRANSITION TO RESIDENTIAL
STRUCTURE ROOF PROFILE
B. Multiple Residence and Single Residence-Attached Open Space Requirements. Multiple Residence developments in the DR-2 and DR-3 Districts shall have a minimum of 200 square feet of open space for each dwelling unit. The required front and side setbacks shall not count towards this requirement.
1. Proportion of Private and Common Open Space. Required open space shall be provided in one (1) of the following ways:
a. At least 200 square feet of private open space or patio area attached to the individual unit;
b. A private balcony or deck of at least 60 square feet in area adjacent to the individual dwelling unit and the remainder of the open space (140 square feet per unit) provided in a usable common open space; or
c. If no individual private open space is provided adjacent to a dwelling unit, 300 square feet of common open space per dwelling unit shall be provided.
2. Surfacing. Surfaces provided for outdoor activities shall allow convenient use for outdoor activities. Such surface may be any combination of lawn, garden, brick, flagstone, wood planking, concrete, or other serviceable, dust-free surface.
3. Slope. The slope of required open space areas shall not exceed 10%.
4. Exclusive Dedication. Off-street parking and loading areas, driveways, and service areas shall not be counted as usable open space.
a. Amenities. Common open space shall include amenities for the everyday use and enjoyment of residents of the development.
i. Amenities Required. Multiple Residence and Single Residence-attached developments containing five (5) or more dwelling units shall provide amenities from Table 11-8-3.B.2 to meet the minimum point value specified in Table 11-8-3.B.1, unless an alternative amenity is approved in accordance with Subsection (iii) below.
Table 11-8-3.B.1: Multiple Residence and Single Residence-Attached Amenity Minimums
Number of Dwelling Units | Minimum Points Required
5—19 dwelling units | 1
20—50 dwelling units | 2
51—100 dwelling units | 3
101—150 dwelling units | 4
151—250 dwelling units | 5
>250 dwelling units | 6
ii. Amenity Types. Table 11-8-3.B.2 below lists amenity types, the minimum standard (where applicable), and the point value. A proposed amenity may be counted only once toward the required minimum point total, except that regulation-sized sports courts of different types may each be counted separately.
Table 11-8-3.B.2: Amenity Types
Amenity Type | Minimum Standard | Points
Fenced dog park/pet run area | 500—1,000 sq. ft. | 1
>1,000 sq. ft | 2
Ramada with bbq and seating area | Min. 200 sq. ft. | 1
Putting Green | 1
Fire pit with seating area | 1
Regulation-size sports court (e.g., tennis court, racquetball court, pickleball court, basketball court, etc.) | Regulation size | 2
Jacuzzi | Min. 6-person capacity | 2
Covered pavilion with seating area | Min. 600 sq. ft. | 2
Community garden | Min. 25 ft. in any direction | 2
Swimming pool | 500—1,000 sq. ft. | 2
>1,000 sq. ft. | 3
Outdoor fitness area | Min. 3 stations | 2
Tot lot | 1,000—2,500 sq. ft., 2 distinct play features | 2
>2,500 sq. ft., 3 distinct play features | 3
Rooftop deck/terrace with seating and weather protection | Min. 1,500 sq. ft. | 3
Indoor recreational facility (e.g., fitness center, game room, movie theater, etc.) | Min. 1,500 sq. ft. | 3
iii. Alternative Amenities. Additional amenities not listed above may be approved by the Planning Director. Upon approval, the Planning Director shall assign a point value based on the amenity's comparability in function, scale, and resident benefit to those listed in Table 11-8-3.B.2.
C. Multiple Residence Screening. Whenever a new Multiple Residence is constructed, or floor area is added to an existing Single Residence to convert it to a Multiple Residence use, a privacy wall shall be constructed along the property lines separating the Multiple Residence use, its parking areas, and driveways from any adjacent existing Single Residence.
1. Exception. Conversion of an existing Single Residence to a Multiple Residence use, without increasing floor area does not invoke the screening requirement.
2. Wall Design.
a. Materials. The privacy wall shall be of masonry construction with stucco, mortar wash, or other finish to match that of the main building.
b. Height. The privacy wall shall be six (6) feet in height.
c. Location. The privacy wall shall extend along interior side lot lines to the front setback of the main building or to the front setback of the existing adjacent residence, whichever is closer to the street right-of-way, but shall not extend into the front setback without being reduced in height to a maximum of three (3) feet.
d. Fences and Freestanding Walls Standards. All other standards of Section 11-30-4 shall apply.
D. Encroachments. Building projections may extend into required setbacks, subject to the following standards:
1. No projection may extend into a public utility easement or closer than two (2) feet to an interior lot line.
2. Awnings, eaves, overhangs, or basement window wells may encroach up to three (3) feet into any required setback.
3. Vestibules, bay windows, nooks, chimneys, or similar wall projections with or without footings may encroach not more than three (3) feet into any required front or rear setback and not more than two (2) feet into any required side setback, provided the aggregate width of all such projections adjacent to any yard does not exceed one-third (⅓) of the length of the building wall.
4. Staircases may encroach up to three (3) feet into any required front setback, and up to 10 feet into any required rear setback.
5. Attached open porches, open patios, open carports or open balconies may encroach into a required rear setback, but shall be no closer than 10 feet to a rear property line. Such open structures may include window screens, knee walls, and other partial enclosures as specified in the Mesa Building Code for patio covers.
6. On single-story structures, enclosed livable rooms may encroach up to 10 feet into a required rear setback for up to one-half (½) the width of the building, provided a minimum of 10 feet remains between the building face and the rear property line.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-8-3.D(1): BUILDING PROJECTION
(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_CH8DODI_11-8-3DESTDOREDIFetched: 11/1/2026