FOUNDATION BASE
Mesa City Code § 11-33-5
in effect11-33-5: - FOUNDATION BASE
All buildings shall provide a foundation base of plant materials such as trees, shrubs, ground covers, and/or accent plants and hardscape such as decorative pavement adjacent to the exterior walls. Pedestrian areas and building entrance plazas should be shaded with trees and shade structures.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5: FOUNDATION BASE
A. Foundation Base along Exterior Walls.
1. Exterior Walls with a Public Entrance. A 12-foot-wide foundation base shall be provided, measured from face of building to face of curb along the entire length of the exterior wall. For Buildings with corner entries, both adjacent walls require a 12-foot-wide foundation base.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5.A.1: FOUNDATION BASE AT EXTERIOR WALL WITH PUBLIC ENTRANCE
a. For buildings larger than 10,000 square feet with parking spaces that abut the foundation base, additional foundation base width is required as follows:
i. Typical Building Entrances. An additional foundation base shall be provided at the entrance to create an entry plaza area. The plaza area shall have a minimum width and depth of 20 feet, and a minimum area of 900 square feet.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5.A.1.A: FOUNDATION BASE AT BUILDING
ENTRANCE
ii. Buildings with Corner Entrances. A foundation base shall be provided to ensure an area equivalent to 900 square feet.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5.A.1.B: FOUNDATION BASE WITH CORNER ENTRANCE
b. Medical Buildings Less Than 10,000 Square Feet. A 13-foot-wide patient drop-off area shall be provided with at least one 5-foot-wide accessible Sidewalk.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5.A.1.C: FOUNDATION BASE AT MEDICAL BUILDINGS
2. Exterior Walls without a Public Entrance.
a. A minimum 10-foot-wide foundation base shall be provided, measured from face of building to face of curb along the entire length of the exterior wall adjacent to parking stalls.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5.A.2.A: FOUNDATION BASE EXTERIOR WALL WITHOUT A
PUBLIC ENTRANCE
b. A minimum 5-foot-wide foundation base shall be provided, measured from face of building to face of curb along the entire length of the exterior wall adjacent to drive aisles as illustrated.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5.A.2.B: FOUNDATION BASE AT EXTERIOR WALL WITHOUT A PUBLIC ENTRANCE
3. Averaging Depth of Foundation Base. The designated depth of the foundation base may be less than the minimum required depth (as specified above), provided:
a. That for each location in which the depth is less, a corresponding location along the same foundation base exceeds the minimum depth by the same amount; (for example, if 15 feet is the minimum required depth of a foundation base, the foundation base may be reduced to 10 feet at one (1) point provided that an equal portion of the same foundation base depth extends to 20 feet in depth) and;
b. In all cases involving principally pedestrian access points into a building, the foundation base shall be no less than 5 feet in depth.
c. The foundation base area remains equivalent to or more than the amount of foundation base area that would be provided if the edge of the foundation base remained parallel to the building elevation.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5.A.3: AVERAGING FOUNDATION BASE
B. Landscape Area in Foundation Base.
1. Number of Trees. A minimum one (1) tree per 50 linear feet or less of exterior wall length of a building shall be provided. Trees in a parking lot and within 30 feet of the building may be counted toward this requirement. Any calculation resulting in a percentage of a whole tree shall be rounded up to the nearest whole.
2. Size of Trees. A minimum 10 percent of the required trees in foundation base shall be at least 36-inch box size. The balance of the required trees shall be 24- inch box size. Substitution of landscape plants based on plant size is not permissible for trees planted within a required foundation base.
3. Plant Material within Foundation Base.
a. Exterior Walls Visible From Public Parking or Right-of-Way with Public Entrances. A landscape area shall be provided equal in length to 33 percent (minimum) of adjacent exterior wall.
b. Exterior Walls Visible From Public Parking or Right-of-Way without Public Entrances. A landscape area shall be provided equal in length to 25 percent (minimum) of adjacent exterior wall.
c. Exterior Walls Not Visible From Public Parking or Right-of-Way without Public Entrances. A landscape area shall be provided equal in length to 10% (minimum) of adjacent exterior wall.
4. Trees shall be in planters that are at least five (5) feet wide. other plant material shall be in planters that are at least three (3) feet wide.
5. If the foundation base contains expansive soils (as determined by a certified engineer) the plant material shall be placed away from the building.
C. Setback for Raised Planter Boxes. Raised planter boxes shall be 5 feet minimum from drive aisles and parking stalls.
D. Setback for Columns in Foundation Base. Columns shall be 5 feet minimum from drive aisles and parking stalls.
[image omitted; see the official code]
FIGURE 11-33-5.D: SETBACKS FOR RAISED PLANTER BOXES AND COLUMNS
E. Exceptions.
1. Loading and Service Areas. A foundation base is not required along exterior walls at overhead doors.
2. Foundation Base Adjacent to Drive-Thru Lanes. Provide 2-foot-wide foundation base along exterior wall, except at window.
(Ord. No. 5996, § 4, 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_ART4DERE_CH33LA_11-33-5FOBAFetched: 11/1/2026