Mesa NC Neighborhood Commercial District Setback Requirements
In the City of Mesa, setback requirements for the NC: Neighborhood Commercial district vary based on the specific street classification and the proximity of the property to residential zones. For standard NC developments, front setbacks range from 15 to 30 feet, while NC-U (Urban) designated areas allow for 0-foot front setbacks to promote a pedestrian-friendly environment. Additionally, setbacks for the NC district increase significantly when a building exceeds one story and is adjacent to a Single Residence (RS) district, reaching up to 75 feet for a three-story structure.
Standard NC District Setbacks
For properties in the City of Mesa zoned as NC (C-1) without an urban character designator, the following setbacks apply to buildings and parking areas. The front and street-facing side setbacks are determined by the classification of the adjacent street as identified in the Mesa Transportation Plan [Table 11-6-3.A].
| Setback Location | Requirement for NC District |
|---|---|
| Front and Street-Facing Side | |
| - 6-lane arterial | 15 ft. |
| - 4-lane arterial | 15 ft. |
| - Major/Midsection Collector | 15 ft. |
| - Industrial/Commercial Collector | 20 ft. |
| - Local Street | 20 ft. |
| - Freeways | 30 ft. (buildings); 15 ft. (parking structures) |
| Interior Side and Rear: Adjacent to RS District | |
| - 1-story building | 25 ft. |
| - 2-story building | 50 ft. |
| - 3-story building | 75 ft. |
| Interior Side and Rear: Adjacent to RM District | |
| - 1st story | 20 ft. |
| - Each additional story | 15 ft. |
| Interior Side and Rear: Adjacent to Non-residential | 15 ft. |
NC-U (Urban) Character Designator Setbacks
The City of Mesa utilizes the "-U" designator for areas intended to have an urban character where buildings are built close to the street and sidewalk [Section 11-3-1]. These regulations apply to the NC-U district to support pedestrian-oriented development [Table 11-6-3.B].
| Setback Location | Requirement for NC-U District |
|---|---|
| Front and Street-Facing Side | 0 ft. |
| Maximum Yard (Front and Street-Facing) | 10 ft. |
| Interior Side and Rear: Adjacent to RS District | |
| - 1-story building | 15 ft. |
| - 2-story building | 25 ft. |
| - 3-story building | 35 ft. |
| Interior Side and Rear: Adjacent to RM District | 15 ft. |
| Each additional story (Adjacent to RM) | 10 ft. |
| Interior Side and Rear: Adjacent to Non-residential | 0 ft. |
Special Intersection Setbacks
The City of Mesa requires specific minimum radii for setbacks at street intersections for buildings and patios (covered or uncovered). These distances ensure visibility and safety at corners [Table 11-6-3.A].
- Arterial with Arterial: 25 ft.
- Arterial with Major/Midsection Collector: 25 ft.
- Arterial with Collector/Commercial/Industrial: 25 ft.
- Major/Midsection Collector with Major/Midsection Collector: 15 ft.
- Major/Midsection Collector with Collector/Industrial/Commercial: 15 ft.
- Collector/Industrial/Commercial with Collector/Industrial/Commercial: 15 ft.
Supplemental Landscaping and Screening Rules
Setbacks in the City of Mesa's NC district are subject to additional landscaping standards. All setbacks must be landscaped according to the standards in Chapter 33 of the City Code [Table 11-6-3.A]. Furthermore, when an NC district property abuts a residential district or use, the City of Mesa requires a screening wall of 6 feet in height to be provided on the interior lot lines [Section 11-30-9].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-3-1: Districts Established
- Section 11-6-1: Purpose (Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
- Section 11-6-3.A: Development Standards - Commercial Districts
- Section 11-6-3.B: Development Standards - Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts - with Character Designators
- Section 11-30-9: Screening