COURTYARD BUILDING
Mesa City Code § 11-59-11
in effect11-59-11: - COURTYARD BUILDING
A. Description
Courtyard Building: This Building Type is a grouping of small structures or an individual medium-to-large-sized structure that is oriented around a shared courtyard or series of courtyards. The units consist of multiple side-by-side and/or stacked dwelling units primarily accessed directly from a courtyard. A Courtyard Building is primarily applicable for medium-density neighborhoods but is also appropriately scaled to fit in sparingly within primarily single-residence neighborhoods. It enables appropriately-scaled, well-designed higher densities and is important for providing a broad choice of housing types and promoting walkability.
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[image omitted; see the official code] | [image omitted; see the official code]
(All photos are illustrative, not regulatory)
B. Permitted Transects
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C. Number of Units
Units | 4 min.; 24 max.
D. Building Size and Massing
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Main Body/Secondary Wing(s)
Height | 2 stories min.; 4 stories max. 1 | See Chapter 58: Building Form Standards
Width | 100' max. | [image omitted; see the official code]
Depth | 40' max. | [image omitted; see the official code]
Accessory Structure(s)
No accessory structures are allowed.
E. Frontage Requirements
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Allowed Private Frontages | Porch, Projecting Shopfront Stoop Forecourt Gallery Arcade Dooryard | See Chapter 60: Private Frontage Standards for private frontage type descriptions and regulations
Entrance Locations
Main Entry 2
Ground Floor Units | Accessible directly off of a courtyard or a street.
Upper Floor Units | Stairs accessing upper floors may serve no more than three units.
Courtyards | Accessible from the front. 3 | [image omitted; see the official code]
F. Vehicle Access and Parking
Parking shall be accessed from the alley, side street or front.
Parking may be accessed from the front only when there is no adjacent alley or side street.
Parking spaces may be structured, tuck-under, or open.
Pedestrian connections should link all buildings to the public right-of-way, courtyards, and parking areas.
G. Private Open Space
No private open space requirement.
Courtyard(s)
Width | 20' min.; 50' max. 4 | [image omitted; see the official code]
Width-to-Height Ratio | 1:2 min. to 2:1 max. 4
Depth | 20' min.; 150' max. 4 | [image omitted; see the official code]
Depth-to-Height Ratio | 1:1 to 3:1 4
Area (total) | 400 sf min.; 50 sf/unit min. 4
Footnotes:
1. Height must also comply with Building Form Standards.
2. Each unit may have an individual entry.
3. Passages through buildings (zaguans) and between buildings should be provided to connect multiple courtyards.
4. Buildings must define a minimum of two (2) courtyard edges. Courtyard edges not defined by building should be defined by a six (6) foot stucco or masonry wall.
(Ord. No. 5948, § 1, 7-1-25)
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_TIT11ZOOR_ART6FOSECO_CH59BUTYST_11-59-11COBUFetched: 11/1/2026