Mesa Agricultural (AG) District Land Use and Development Guide
The Agricultural (AG) District in the City of Mesa is primarily intended to protect and preserve agricultural lands and activities while preventing premature urban encroachment. Most standard farming and livestock activities are permitted by right on sites of at least 10 acres, while residential and public uses are strictly regulated based on proximity to Airport Overflight Areas (AOA). Any use not explicitly listed in the City of Mesa’s official use table for the Agricultural District is considered prohibited.
Purpose of the Mesa Agricultural (AG) District
The City of Mesa established the Agricultural (AG) District to provide a guide for physical development that achieves the goals of the General Plan. It serves to limit incompatible land uses, foster local food production, and ensure that infrastructure is in place before higher-intensity development occurs. The district specifically safeguards the character of agricultural lands from urban sprawl [Section 11-4-1].
Residential Land Uses in the AG District
Residential uses within the Mesa AG District are generally permitted but are subject to significant restrictions regarding airport noise and safety zones.
| Proposed Use | AG Designation | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Single Residence | P (2, 3) | Subject to AOA overflight restrictions |
| Day Care Group Home (up to 4) | P (2, 3) | Subject to AOA overflight restrictions |
| Large Day Care Group Home (5-10) | P (2, 3) | Section 11-31-13 |
| Family Community Residence | P (2, 3) | Section 11-31-14 |
| Transitional Community Residence | SUP (2, 3) | Special Use Permit required |
Note on Limitations: (2) indicates the use is not permitted in AOA 1 overflight areas; (3) indicates the use is not permitted in AOA 2 overflight areas [Section 11-4-2].
Public and Semi-Public Land Uses
Public uses in the Mesa Agricultural District range from parks to educational institutions.
| Proposed Use | AG Designation | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Community Gardens | P | Section 11-31-10 |
| Cultural Institutions | P (2, 4) | (4) requires a Council Use Permit in AOA 2 |
| Parks and Recreation Facilities | P | Generally permitted |
| Places of Worship | P (2, 4) | Section 11-31-22 |
| Schools, Public (K-12) | P | Generally permitted |
| Schools, Private (K-12) | CUP (2, 3) | Council Use Permit required |
| Cemeteries | SUP | Special Use Permit required |
Commercial and Industrial Land Uses
Commercial activities in the Mesa AG District are largely limited to those supporting animal sales and services or the extraction of natural resources.
| Proposed Use | AG Designation | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding Stables | SUP | Special Use Permit required |
| Kennels | SUP | Special Use Permit required |
| Veterinary Services | SUP | Special Use Permit required |
| Plant Nurseries and Garden Centers | SUP | Section 11-4-4(C) |
| Utilities, Major | CUP | Council Use Permit required |
| Utilities, Minor | P | Generally permitted |
| Mining and Quarrying | SUP | Special Use Permit required |
Agricultural and Animal Uses
Farming and crop-related activities are the primary intended use for this district in the City of Mesa.
- Permitted by Right: Aviaries, apiaries, plant nurseries, greenhouses, poultry/egg farms, and the commercial breeding and grazing of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, ostriches, and other livestock [Section 11-4-2, Note 1].
- Special Use Permit Required: Dairies and feedlots [Section 11-4-2, Note 1].
- Livestock Standards: Commercial breeding and grazing in the Mesa AG District require a site of at least 10 acres in area [Section 11-4-4(B)].
Accessory Uses
The City of Mesa allows several accessory uses to support the primary agricultural or residential functions of the property.
| Accessory Use Type | AG Designation | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Keeping | P | Sections 11-4-4(B) and 11-31-4 |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | P (13, 14) | Section 11-31-3; subject to AOA |
| Agriculture-based Entertainment | SUP (2) | Section 11-4-5 (e.g., corn mazes, petting zoos) |
| Farm Stands | SUP (2) | Special Use Permit required |
| Home Occupations | P/SUP (2) | Section 11-31-33 |
| Portable Storage Containers | P | Section 11-30-16 |
Prohibited Uses
In the City of Mesa, use classifications that are not explicitly listed as Permitted (P), Special Use Permit (SUP), Council Use Permit (CUP), or Temporary Use Permit (TUP) in the Agricultural District are prohibited. Specifically, the Agricultural District excludes most high-intensity commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential developments to prevent the premature conversion of farmland [Section 11-4-2].
Development Standards for the AG District
All development in the Mesa AG District must adhere to the following physical requirements:
| Standard | AG Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 10 acres |
| Minimum Lot Width | 400 feet |
| Maximum Density | 0.1 dwelling units per acre |
| Maximum Building Height | 30 feet |
| Maximum Number of Stories | 2 stories |
| Maximum Building Coverage | 15% |
| Minimum Front Yard Setback | 30 feet |
| Minimum Rear Yard Setback | 60 feet |
Sections Cited
- Section 11-4-1 - Purpose of Agricultural District
- Section 11-4-2 - Land Use Regulations
- Section 11-4-3 - Development Standards
- Section 11-4-4 - Supplemental Regulations
- Section 11-4-5 - Agriculture-Based Entertainment
- Section 11-30-16 - Portable Storage Containers
- Section 11-31-3 - Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Section 11-31-4 - Animal Keeping
- Section 11-31-10 - Community Gardens
- Section 11-31-13 - Large Day Care Group Homes
- Section 11-31-14 - Community Residences
- Section 11-31-22 - Places of Worship
- Section 11-31-24 - Schools
- Section 11-31-33 - Home Occupations