THOROUGHFARES
Mesa City Code § 11-63-6
in effect11-63-6: - THOROUGHFARES
Thoroughfares define the public streets that refine pedestrian sheds into walkable environments. Care should be taken in the layout and sizing of thoroughfares, as wide thoroughfares and a lack of connectivity reduce the pedestrian friendliness of the area.
A. Design.
1. Thoroughfares shall be designed per Chapter 61 (Thoroughfare Standards).
2. The thoroughfare network shall be mapped on a Street Regulating Plan that shall:
a. Indicate the layout of thoroughfares and the block network according to the standards established in Subsections 11-63-6.B (Block Size) and 11-63-6.C (Connectivity); and
b. Be reviewed and approved by the Director, City Traffic Engineer, and Fire Department.
3. Thoroughfares that pass from one transect zone to another shall adjust their public frontages to match the character of the transect zone. For example a thoroughfare that goes from an urban transect zone with retail shops may change in character from wide sidewalks with trees in tree grates to a narrower sidewalk with a planting strip as the thoroughfare transitions to a less urban transect zone composed of various residential building types.
B. Block Size. Individual block faces and the total block perimeter shall follow the standards established in the table below. If a block contains multiple transect zones, the most intense transect zone shall be used to establish the requirements for block size.
Table 11-63-6.A Block Size
Transect Zone | Block
Face Length | Perimeter Length
T3 | 900 ft. max. | 2,400 ft. max.
T4 | 600 ft. max. | 2,000 ft. max.
T5 | 600 ft. max. | 1,800 ft. max.
C. Connectivity.
1. Interconnected Thoroughfares. Proposed thoroughfares shall be interconnected and shall connect with adjacent thoroughfares external to the site to provide multiple routes for pedestrian and vehicle trips from, to, and within the site.
2. Thoroughfares shall terminate/connect to other thoroughfares. Thoroughfares shall not terminate on alleys and lanes.
3. Thoroughfare Extensions and Thoroughfare Stubs.
a. Where a plan adjoins non-subdivided land, thoroughfares shall be extended to the adjacent non-subdivided land, as prescribed by the maximum block length requirements to provide access to the non-subdivided land in the event of its future subdivision.
b. Where a plan adjoins developed or entitled parcels, thoroughfares shall connect to existing or entitled thoroughfare right-of-ways and stubs.
4. Dead-End Thoroughfares and Cul-de-Sacs.
a. Thoroughfares shall not include dead-end thoroughfares or cul-de-sacs except where through-streets cannot be provided because of an environmental feature requiring protection and/or preservation (e.g., a creek channel).
b. The length of dead-end thoroughfares shall not exceed 300 feet, as measured from the center of the closest intersection to the center of the cul-de-sac bulb, and these thoroughfares shall provide a suitable turn-around designed to the satisfaction of the Director.
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_CH63SMGRCOPL_11-63-6THFetched: 11/1/2026