Childcare and Daycare Facility Zoning in Mesa
Childcare facilities and daycare centers are permitted throughout various zoning districts in the City of Mesa, ranging from residential "group homes" to commercial centers and employer-provided amenities. While small home-based daycares are generally permitted by right in most residential and agricultural zones, larger commercial daycare centers typically require a Special Use Permit (SUP) in low-density residential areas or are permitted by right in commercial and industrial districts. All facilities must comply with specific safety standards, including a 6-foot solid fence for outdoor play areas and a parking ratio of one space per 375 square feet [Section 11-31-13, Table 11-32-3.A].
Permitted Zoning Districts for Childcare Facilities
The City of Mesa categorizes childcare into two primary types: Day Care Group Homes (located within a residence) and Day Care Centers (non-residential establishments).
Residential and Agricultural Districts
In residential and agricultural areas, the City of Mesa distinguishes between small group homes (up to 4 children) and large group homes (5–10 children).
| District Type | Small Day Care Group Home (up to 4) | Large Day Care Group Home (5–10) | Day Care Center (Commercial/Non-Res) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural (AG) | Permitted [Table 11-4-2] | Permitted [Table 11-4-2] | Not Listed |
| Single Residence (RS) | Permitted [Table 11-5-2] | Permitted [Table 11-5-2] | SUP/Permitted (Note 10) [Table 11-5-2] |
| Small Lot Residence (RSL) | Permitted [Table 11-5-2] | Permitted [Table 11-5-2] | Permitted (Note 8) [Table 11-5-2] |
| Multiple Residence (RM) | Permitted [Table 11-5-2] | Permitted [Table 11-5-2] | Permitted [Table 11-5-2] |
- Note 8: In the RSL district, Day Care Centers are only permitted as an accessory activity when provided as an amenity by a homeowner’s association (HOA) for the benefit of its residents [Section 11-5-2].
- Note 10: In the RS district, centers are permitted only with an SUP and if located at an intersection of an arterial street and a local/collector street, with a maximum size of 2,000 square feet [Section 11-5-2].
Commercial and Downtown Districts
Commercial daycare centers are widely permitted in business-oriented zones of the City of Mesa to support the local workforce.
| District Type | Day Care Center Permission |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | Permitted [Table 11-6-2] |
| Limited Commercial (LC) | Permitted [Table 11-6-2] |
| General Commercial (GC) | Permitted [Table 11-6-2] |
| Office Commercial (OC) | Permitted [Table 11-6-2] |
| Mixed Use (MX) | Permitted [Table 11-6-2] |
| Downtown Residence (DR-1, 2, 3) | SUP [Table 11-8-3] |
| Downtown Business (DB-1, 2) | Permitted [Table 11-8-3] |
| Downtown Core (DC) | Permitted [Table 11-8-3] |
Employment and Industrial Districts
The City of Mesa allows daycare centers in employment hubs to facilitate child care for workers, though some high-intensity industrial zones require a Special Use Permit.
- Light Industrial (LI): Permitted [Table 11-7-2].
- Planned Employment Park (PEP): Special Use Permit (SUP) required [Table 11-7-2].
- General Industrial (GI) & Heavy Industrial (HI): Special Use Permit (SUP) required [Table 11-7-2].
Development and Operational Standards
The City of Mesa enforces specific supplemental regulations for childcare facilities to ensure the safety of children and the stability of surrounding neighborhoods.
Large Day Care Group Homes (5–10 Children)
When operating a large group home in an Agricultural or Residential district, the following standards apply:
- Registration: The location must be registered with the Planning Division, and evidence of certification by the Arizona Department of Health Services must be provided [Section 11-31-13(A)].
- Signage: No identification of the facility may be visible from a public street by signage or graphics [Section 11-31-13(B)].
- Fencing: A 6-foot-high solid (opaque) fence or wall must be provided between all outdoor play areas and adjacent properties [Section 11-31-13(D)].
- Separation: A 600-foot separation distance is required between large day care group homes [Section 11-31-13(E)].
Parking Requirements
All daycare facilities in the City of Mesa must meet minimum off-street parking standards to prevent neighborhood congestion.
| Facility Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Day Care Centers | 1 space per 375 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Group Homes | Generally follows standard residential requirements for the district |
Accessory Daycare
Daycare facilities are also permitted as an accessory use to Places of Worship in Agricultural and Residential districts, provided they obtain a Special Use Permit [Table 11-4-2, Table 11-5-2].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-4-2: Land Use Regulations (Agricultural)
- Section 11-5-2: Land Use Regulations (Residential)
- Section 11-6-2: Land Use Regulations (Commercial)
- Section 11-7-2: Land Use Regulations (Employment)
- Section 11-8-3: Land Use Regulations (Downtown)
- Section 11-31-9: Commercial Uses in Any Residence Districts
- Section 11-31-13: Large Day Care Group Homes
- Section 11-32-3: Parking Spaces Required
- Section 11-86-2: Residential Use Classifications (Definitions)
- Section 11-86-3: Public and Semi-Public Use Classifications (Definitions)