Mesa, AZ LI: Light Industrial Zoning District Guide
The Mesa LI: Light Industrial zoning district is established to accommodate limited manufacturing, processing, and distribution activities that occur primarily within enclosed buildings on sites of at least 1.0 acre. This district facilitates a maximum lot coverage of 90% and a building height of 40 feet, serving as a vital transitional buffer between General Industrial areas and less intensive land uses in Mesa [Section 11-7-1].
Purpose and General Character
The Mesa LI: Light Industrial district focuses on low-impact industrial and high-impact commercial operations. The general character is defined by:
- Enclosure: Most activities, including manufacturing and processing, must take place within enclosed buildings [Section 11-7-1].
- Storage Limitations: Accessory outdoor storage is strictly restricted and must be managed to support the primary use without creating a nuisance [Section 11-7-1].
- Buffering: The district is intentionally positioned to buffer General Industrial uses from other less intense zones, ensuring compatibility in both use and form across the City of Mesa [Section 11-7-1].
- Aesthetics: Developments within the LI: Light Industrial district that are visible to the general public must include well-designed landscape areas to maintain Mesa's community standards [Section 11-7-1].
Permitted and Conditional Land Uses
Land uses in the Mesa LI: Light Industrial district are categorized as permitted (P), requiring a Special Use Permit (SUP), requiring a Council Use Permit (CUP), or requiring an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) [Table 11-7-2].
Industrial and Employment Uses
| Use Classification | Permission Level | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Handicraft/Custom Manufacturing | P | Subject to Note 4 |
| Light Assembly/Cabinetry | P | Subject to Note 5 |
| Manufacturing, General | P | Subject to Note 5 |
| Manufacturing, Limited | P | Subject to Note 5 |
| Research and Development | P | Subject to Note 5 |
| Warehousing and Storage (Indoor) | P | - |
| Data Center | P | Subject to Note 20 & Section 11-31-36 |
| Mini-Storage | CUP | - |
| Wholesale | P | - |
Commercial Uses
| Use Classification | Permission Level | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Automobile Rentals | P | Section 11-31-5 |
| Automobile/Vehicle Repair (Major/Minor) | P | Section 11-31-6 |
| Service Station | SUP | Section 11-31-25 |
| Banks and Financial Institutions | P | - |
| Business Services | P | Subject to Note 6 |
| Restaurants (Full/Limited Service) | P | Subject to Note 6 |
| Convenience Market | P | Subject to Notes 1, 7; Section 11-31-11 |
Residential and Public Uses
- Multiple Residence: Permitted only with an Adaptive Reuse Permit [Table 11-7-2, Note 3].
- Hospitals and Clinics: Permitted, subject to airport overflight limitations [Table 11-7-2, Notes 10, 11].
- Day Care Centers: Permitted, subject to airport overflight limitations [Table 11-7-2, Notes 10, 11].
Development Standards
Mesa enforces specific site and building standards for the LI: Light Industrial district to ensure orderly growth and functional efficiency.
| Standard | LI: Light Industrial Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Site Area | 1.0 acre [Table 11-7-3] |
| Minimum Lot Width | 100 feet [Table 11-7-3] |
| Minimum Lot Depth | 100 feet [Table 11-7-3] |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 90% [Table 11-7-3] |
| Maximum Building Height | 40 feet [Table 11-7-3] |
| Front Yard Setback | 20 feet (Major/Midsection Collector) [Table 11-7-3] |
| Interior Side/Rear Setback | 1 ft. per foot of building height (min. 20 ft.) if adjacent to RS/RSL/RM districts [Table 11-7-3] |
Parking and Loading Requirements
Parking standards in Mesa are based on the specific use within the LI: Light Industrial district to ensure adequate onsite capacity for employees and visitors [Section 11-32-1].
| Use Category | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| General Industrial | 1 space per 600 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Warehousing and Storage | 1 space per 900 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| General Offices/Retail | 1 space per 375 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Mini-Storage | 4 spaces plus 2 for manager's quarters [Table 11-32-3.A] |
Sections Cited
- Chapter 11-7: Employment Districts
- Section 11-7-1: Purpose
- Table 11-7-2: Employment Districts Land Use Regulations
- Table 11-7-3: Development Standards - Employment Districts
- Chapter 11-31: Standards for Specific Uses and Activities
- Chapter 11-32: On-Site Parking, Loading, and Circulation
- Table 11-32-3.A: Required Parking Spaces By Use