Hotels, Motels, and Lodging Regulations in the City of Mesa
In the City of Mesa, hotels and motels are primarily permitted in commercial, employment, and specific downtown business districts, while smaller-scale lodging like Bed and Breakfast Inns are allowed in residential zones subject to specific performance standards. Most lodging uses located within Airport Overflight Areas (AOA) 1 or 2 require the approval of a Council Use Permit (CUP) due to their status as noise-sensitive uses [Table 11-6-2, Section 11-31-34].
Permitted Districts for Hotels and Motels
The City of Mesa categorizes "Hotels and Motels" as establishments providing lodging to transient patrons, typically for stays of 30 days or less [Section 11-86-4].
| Zoning District Group | Specific City of Mesa District Name | Permission Status |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Districts | Limited Commercial (LC) | Permitted (P) |
| General Commercial (GC) | Permitted (P) | |
| Mixed Use (MX) | Permitted (P) | |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | Prohibited (—) | |
| Office Commercial (OC) | Prohibited (—) | |
| Employment Districts | Planned Employment Park (PEP) | Permitted (P) |
| Light Industrial (LI) | Permitted (P) | |
| General Industrial (GI) | Permitted (P) | |
| Heavy Industrial (HI) | Prohibited (—) | |
| Downtown Districts | Downtown Business District 1 (DB-1) | Permitted (P) |
| Downtown Core (DC) | Permitted (P) | |
| Downtown Residence (DR-1, DR-2, DR-3) | Prohibited (—) | |
| Downtown Business District 2 (DB-2) | Prohibited (—) |
Note: In the City of Mesa, any hotel or motel use proposed within Airport Overflight Areas 1 or 2 requires a Council Use Permit [Table 11-6-2, Note 21 & 22; Table 11-7-2, Note 12 & 13].
Specialized Lodging: Bed and Breakfast Inns, Hostels, and Inns
The City of Mesa provides separate regulations for smaller-scale or specialized lodging facilities, including Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs), Hostels, and Inns/Lodges [Section 11-86-4, Section 11-87].
Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&B)
A Bed and Breakfast Inn in the City of Mesa is limited to a maximum of five guest rooms within a converted single-family or multi-family dwelling [Section 11-87].
- Residential Districts: Allowed with a Special Use Permit (SUP) in Single Residence (RS) districts and permitted by right in Multiple Residence (RM) districts [Table 11-5-2].
- Commercial Districts: Allowed with a Special Use Permit (SUP) in Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Limited Commercial (LC), and General Commercial (GC) districts. They are permitted by right in Mixed Use (MX) districts [Table 11-6-2].
- Downtown Districts: Allowed with a Special Use Permit (SUP) in Downtown Residence 1 (DR-1) and permitted by right in DR-2 and DR-3 [Table 11-8-3].
Hostels and Inns/Lodges
- Inn/Lodge: Defined as a building for temporary accommodation with 5 to 20 guest rooms. In the City of Mesa, these are permitted by right in the Downtown Business 1 (DB-1), Downtown Business 2 (DB-2), and Downtown Core (DC) districts [Table 11-8-3, Section 11-87].
- Hostel: Defined as a facility for residence of under 29 days with dormitory-style rooms. These are permitted by right in the Downtown Business 2 (DB-2) and Downtown Core (DC) districts [Table 11-8-3, Section 11-87].
Development and Parking Standards
Lodging establishments in the City of Mesa must adhere to specific on-site requirements regarding access and vehicle storage.
| Lodging Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Hotels and Motels | 1 space per room or suite (plus requirements for ancillary uses like restaurants or conference centers) |
| Residential B&B | Must provide parking behind the front yard building setback; requires forward-motion exit |
Supplemental Standards for Bed and Breakfast Inns
For Bed and Breakfast Inns located in Single Residence (RS) or Downtown Residence (DR) districts, the City of Mesa enforces the following [Section 11-31-8]:
- Lot Size: Minimum lot area of 15,000 square feet is required in RS districts.
- Residency: An owner or manager must reside on-site.
- Separation: Outdoor facilities (such as pools or decks) must maintain a minimum 20-foot separation from any abutting Single Residence lots.
- Signage: Limited to one non-illuminated attached sign no larger than 4 square feet.
Sections Cited
- Table 11-5-2 (Residential Districts Land Use)
- Table 11-6-2 (Commercial Districts Land Use)
- Table 11-7-2 (Employment Districts Land Use)
- Table 11-8-3 (Downtown Districts Land Use)
- Section 11-31-8 (Bed and Breakfast Inns)
- Table 11-32-3.A (Required Parking Spaces)
- Section 11-86-4 (Commercial Use Classifications)
- Section 11-87 (Definitions)