Mesa Accessory Dwelling Unit Parking Requirements
Under the City of Mesa Zoning Ordinance, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are explicitly exempt from off-street parking requirements, meaning no additional parking spaces must be created to support the unit. Furthermore, if a property owner in the City of Mesa converts an existing garage or carport into an ADU, the Mesa City Code does not require the replacement of the covered parking spaces that were originally dedicated to the primary residence.
General Parking Exemption for ADUs
The City of Mesa identifies Accessory Dwelling Units as auxiliary living quarters that do not require independent parking facilities. According to the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, while a primary single-family residence is generally required to provide two parking spaces, the ADU is assigned a ratio of zero. This regulation applies whether the ADU is attached to the primary structure or detached as a separate building [Table 11-32-3.A].
| Use Classification | Minimum Parking Standard in Mesa |
|---|---|
| Single Residence (Primary) | 2 spaces per dwelling |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | No parking space required |
| ADU in Transect Zones (T3, T4, T5, T6) | No parking required for the first 2,000 sf |
Garage and Carport Conversions
A significant provision of the Mesa City Code relates to the conversion of existing parking structures. If a resident chooses to convert an existing garage or carport into a habitable Accessory Dwelling Unit, the City of Mesa does not require the owner to build new covered parking to replace the spots lost during the conversion [Section 11-31-3(G)]. This provides flexibility for homeowners to utilize existing footprints for housing without the burden of finding additional land for vehicle storage.
Parking Regulations in Specific Districts
In specialized areas of the City of Mesa, such as Infill Development Districts or Form-Based Code Transect Zones, the parking exemptions remain consistent with the general code. For residential uses in these districts, the Mesa Zoning Ordinance specifies that no parking is required for the first 2,000 square feet of residential use, which effectively covers most ADU developments [Section 11-58-5].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-31-3: Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Section 11-32-3: Parking Spaces Required
- Table 11-32-3.A: Required Parking Spaces By Use
- Section 11-58-5: T4 Neighborhood (T4N) Standards
- Section 11-58-6: T4 Neighborhood Flex (T4NF) Standards