Land Use and Development Standards for GC: General Commercial Zoning in Mesa
The GC: General Commercial zoning district in the City of Mesa is intended to provide for a broad range of indoor retail, automotive-oriented services, and commercial activities serving a large trade area of four to five miles. The City of Mesa permits most high-intensity commercial uses by right in this district, including vehicle repair and large-scale markets, provided they adhere to a 30-foot maximum height limit and an 80% maximum lot coverage [Section 11-6-1].
Purpose of the GC: General Commercial District
The primary intent of the GC: General Commercial district is to support indoor retail and service-oriented businesses, including limited outdoor display. This City of Mesa designation specifically accommodates automobile-oriented uses and support services such as welding, light assembly, and fabrication related to an on-site commercial use. It also allows for commercial lodging, restaurants, and movie theaters [Section 11-6-1].
Allowed Land Uses
The City of Mesa classifies uses within the GC: General Commercial district into several categories: Permitted (P), Special Use Permit (SUP), Council Use Permit (CUP), and Temporary Use Permit (TUP). If a use is not specifically listed in the City Code, it is prohibited [Section 11-6-2].
Permitted Commercial and Employment Uses
- Retail and Sales: General markets, pet stores, pet supply stores, and plant nurseries [Section 11-6-2].
- Automotive Services: Automobile/vehicle sales and leasing, major and minor vehicle repair, large vehicle and equipment sales, and accessory automobile rentals [Section 11-6-2].
- Office and Professional: Business and professional offices, medical and dental offices, financial institutions, and banks (including those with drive-up ATMs/teller windows) [Section 11-6-2].
- Eating and Drinking: Full-service and limited-service restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges, coffee shops, and cafes [Section 11-6-2].
- Services: Personal services, artists' studios, funeral parlors, mortuaries, and maintenance/repair services [Section 11-6-2].
- Employment: Handicraft or custom manufacturing, light assembly, and research and development [Section 11-6-2].
- Infrastructure: Minor utilities, data centers, and transportation passenger terminals [Section 11-6-2].
Residential and Semi-Public Uses
- Residential: Single residence-attached, multiple residences, and live-work units (often requiring a CUP or SUP depending on the context, such as adaptive reuse or airport overflight area restrictions) [Section 11-6-2].
- Public/Semi-Public: Community gardens, government offices, parks, recreation facilities, and places of worship [Section 11-6-2].
- Education: Commercial trade schools and public schools [Section 11-6-2].
Uses Requiring Special or Council Approval
Certain uses in the City of Mesa GC: General Commercial district are deemed to have potential impacts that require additional oversight through a Special Use Permit (SUP) or a Council Use Permit (CUP).
- Special Use Permits (SUP): Required for automobile/vehicle washing, service stations, accessory crematoriums, boarding houses, and small indoor collection facilities for recycling [Section 11-6-2].
- Council Use Permits (CUP): Required for pawn shops, non-chartered financial institutions (payday lenders), mini-storage, boat and recreational vehicle storage, wholesale activities, major utilities, and heliports [Section 11-6-2].
Prohibited Uses
The City of Mesa explicitly prohibits any use in the GC: General Commercial district that is not listed in the official land use tables. Specific prohibited activities often include those more suited for heavy industrial districts or uses that conflict with the commercial character of the zone.
- Private Industrial Trade Schools: Explicitly prohibited in the GC district [Table 11-6-2].
- Heavy Manufacturing: Most general or heavy manufacturing activities not classified as "limited" or "light assembly" are prohibited [Section 11-86-5].
- Unlisted Residential: Any residential form not specifically classified as attached or part of a mixed-use/adaptive reuse project is typically prohibited [Section 11-6-2].
Development Standards
The City of Mesa mandates specific physical standards for all structures within the GC: General Commercial district to ensure consistency in the built environment.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 5,000 square feet |
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet |
| Minimum Lot Depth | 100 feet |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 80% of lot area |
| Maximum Building Height | 30 feet |
| Minimum Front Setback | Varies by street (e.g., 15 ft for 6-lane arterials) |
| Side/Rear Setback (Adjacent to RS) | 25 ft (1-story); 50 ft (2-story); 75 ft (3-story) |
| Side/Rear Setback (Adjacent to RM) | 20 ft (1st story); +15 ft per additional story |
[Table 11-6-3.A]
Parking Requirements
Parking in the GC: General Commercial district is determined by the specific use and intensity of the development within the City of Mesa.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Office/Retail/Services | 1 space per 375 square feet |
| Medical/Dental Offices | 1 space per 200 square feet |
| Full Service Restaurant | 1 space per 75 sq. ft. (indoor); 1 per 200 sq. ft. (outdoor) |
| Automobile Repair | 1 space per 375 square feet (including service bays) |
| Hotels and Motels | 1 space per room/suite + ancillary use requirements |
| Data Center | 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. (first 200k); 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. (after) |
[Table 11-32-3.A]
Sections Cited
- Section 11-6-1: Purpose (Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
- Section 11-6-2: Land Use Regulations (Commercial Districts)
- Section 11-6-3.A: Development Standards - Commercial Districts
- Section 11-32-3.A: Required Parking Spaces By Use
- Section 11-86-4: Commercial Use Classifications
- Section 11-86-5: Employment and Industrial Use Classifications