Guide to OC: Office Commercial Zoning in Mesa, Arizona
The OC: Office Commercial zoning designation in the City of Mesa is primarily established to support small-scale professional and medical offices that are compatible with adjacent residential neighborhoods. Key requirements include a minimum lot area of 10,000 square feet, a maximum building height of 30 feet, and a 1,500-square-foot size limit for accessory retail and food services. Most residential, industrial, and heavy automotive uses are strictly prohibited within this district to maintain its intended low-intensity character.
Purpose and Intent of the OC District
The City of Mesa established the OC: Office Commercial district to provide dedicated space for professional and medical services. The intent is to foster environments for office-based employment that do not generate the high traffic, noise, or light pollution typical of more intensive commercial zones. By limiting retail uses to small-scale accessory functions and prohibiting drive-thru facilities for professional offices, the City of Mesa ensures that the OC: Office Commercial district serves as a transition between residential areas and more active commercial corridors [Section 11-6-1(B)(4)].
Allowed and Permitted Uses
Uses in the OC: Office Commercial district are classified by their level of permission: "P" for permitted by right, "CUP" for Council Use Permit, "SUP" for Special Use Permit, and "TUP" for Temporary Use Permit.
Permitted by Right (P)
The following uses are allowed without special discretionary permits, though they must adhere to standard building codes and the City of Mesa development regulations:
- Offices: Business, professional, medical, and dental offices. These may not include drive-thru or pick-up window facilities [Section 11-6-2, Note 9].
- Medical Facilities: Hospitals and standard medical clinics (excluding plasma centers) [Section 11-6-2, Note 3].
- Public and Institutional: Government offices, public safety facilities, public schools (K-12), and public colleges or universities [Table 11-6-2].
- Assembly: Places of worship [Table 11-6-2].
- Recreation: Public parks and recreation facilities, as well as community gardens [Table 11-6-2].
- Small-Scale Accessory Services: Coffee shops, cafes, limited-service restaurants, and personal services (such as salons), provided they are located within an office or commercial building and occupy no more than 1,500 square feet [Section 11-6-2, Note 5].
- Markets: General markets and convenience markets. Convenience markets are limited to 1,500 square feet and are prohibited from selling fuel in the OC: Office Commercial district [Section 11-6-2, Note 13].
- Technology: Data centers as an accessory use (occupying no more than 10% of total gross floor area) [Section 11-31-36(A)].
Discretionary and Temporary Uses (SUP, CUP, TUP)
Certain uses require higher levels of review to ensure they do not negatively impact the City of Mesa community:
- Special Use Permit (SUP): Required for clubs and lodges, cultural institutions, community centers, and caretakers' residences [Table 11-6-2].
- Council Use Permit (CUP): Required for private colleges or universities, and private K-12 schools [Table 11-6-2].
- Temporary Use Permit (TUP): Required for temporary outdoor sales and temporary outdoor entertainment [Table 11-6-2].
Prohibited Uses
The OC: Office Commercial district explicitly excludes uses that involve heavy machinery, high traffic volumes, or residential living (except for specific non-conforming or accessory circumstances).
- Residential: Detached single-family residences (unless pre-existing), attached single residences, multi-family housing, boarding houses, and community residences [Table 11-6-2].
- Automotive: Automobile rentals, sales, leasing, and all major or minor vehicle repair services. Service stations and vehicle washing facilities are also prohibited [Table 11-6-2].
- Industrial & Employment: Manufacturing (heavy or limited), wholesale distribution, warehousing, mini-storage, and contractors' yards [Table 11-6-2].
- Commercial Entertainment: Bars, clubs, lounges, full-service restaurants, and movie theaters [Table 11-6-2].
- Miscellaneous: Pawn shops, tattoo and body piercing parlors, and heliports [Table 11-6-2].
Development Standards
Development within the OC: Office Commercial district must comply with specific physical requirements to ensure the built environment remains consistent with City of Mesa standards.
| Standard | Requirement in OC District |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 10,000 square feet |
| Minimum Lot Width | 100 feet |
| Minimum Lot Depth | 100 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 30 feet |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 80% |
| Front Setback | Varies by street (minimum 15–30 feet) |
| Side Setback (Adjacent to RS) | 25 feet for 1-story; 50 feet for 2-story |
| Rear Setback (Adjacent to RS) | 25 feet for 1-story; 50 feet for 2-story |
Setbacks must be landscaped in accordance with Chapter 33 of the City of Mesa code. Specifically, the first 20 feet of setbacks adjacent to Single Residence (RS) districts must be landscaped and remain free of parking or driveways [Section 11-6-3.A].
Sections Cited
- 11-6-1: Purpose (Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
- 11-6-2: Land Use Regulations (Commercial Districts)
- 11-6-3: Development Standards (Commercial Districts)
- 11-31-36: Data Centers
- 11-86-5: Employment and Industrial Use Classifications