Mesa Residential Single Dwelling Districts (RS) Setback Requirements
In the City of Mesa, setback requirements for Residential Single Dwelling Districts are determined by specific density designators, with front yard requirements for livable areas ranging from 10 to 22 feet and rear yards ranging from 20 to 30 feet. Interior side setbacks in these Mesa districts vary from a minimum of 5 feet in higher-density zones to 20 feet in the RS-90 zone, while garages and carports generally require deeper setbacks of up to 30 feet from the front property line.
Minimum Setback Standards for RS Districts
The City of Mesa establishes the following minimum yard requirements (setbacks) for the various Residential Single Dwelling Districts. These standards regulate the distance between structures and property lines to ensure adequate light, air, and separation between residences [Table 11-5-3.A.1].
Table of Minimum Setback Requirements (in feet)
| Standard | RS-90 | RS-43 | RS-35 | RS-15 | RS-9 | RS-7 | RS-6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front (Livable Area/Porch) | 22' | 22' | 22' | 22' | 15' | 10' | 10' |
| Front (Garage/Carport) | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 25' | 20' | 20' |
| Interior Side (Min. Each) | 20' | 10' | 10' | 7' | 7' | 5' | 5' |
| Interior Side (Aggregate) | 40' | 30' | 30' | 20' | 17' | 15' | 15' |
| Street Side | 20' | 30' | 10' | 10' | 10' | 10' | 10' |
| Rear | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 25' | 20' | 20' |
| Rear (Abutting Arterial) | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' |
Front Yard Setback Specifics
In all City of Mesa Residential Single Dwelling Districts, there is a distinction between the setback required for the enclosed livable area of a home and the setback required for garages or carports.
- Livable Space: In the RS-90, RS-43, RS-35, and RS-15 districts, the front yard must be at least 22 feet. This drops to 15 feet for RS-9 and 10 feet for RS-7 and RS-6 [Table 11-5-3.A.1].
- Garages: To prevent garage doors from dominating the streetscape, the City of Mesa requires garages and carports to be set back 30 feet in lower-density districts (RS-15 through RS-90) and 20 to 25 feet in higher-density districts [Table 11-5-3.A.1].
- Atypical Alignments: If existing adjacent buildings are located closer to the street than the regulated front setback, a new building in the City of Mesa may be aligned with the façade of the front-most immediately adjacent property [Section 11-5-3(A)(1)].
Side Yard Setback Specifics
The City of Mesa utilizes two measurements for interior side yards: a minimum for each individual side and a minimum aggregate total for both sides combined.
- Aggregate Requirements: For example, in the RS-35 district, while one side can be as narrow as 10 feet, the total of both side yards must equal at least 30 feet [Table 11-5-3.A.1].
- Zero-Lot-Line Option: Zero-lot-line developments are permitted specifically in the RS-6 and RS-7 Residential Single Dwelling Districts, provided that the opposite side yard meets the minimum aggregate setback or 10 feet, whichever is greater [Section 11-5-3(A)(3)].
Rear Yard Setback Specifics
Rear setbacks in the City of Mesa Residential Single Dwelling Districts are generally 30 feet for larger lots and scale down to 20 feet for the RS-6 and RS-7 districts.
- Arterial Street Buffer: If a rear yard in the RS-7 or RS-6 district directly abuts an arterial street right-of-way, the minimum lot depth must be increased by an additional 10 feet, and the rear yard must be at least 30 feet deep [Section 11-5-3(A)(2)].
- Alley/Canal Exception: Rear yard setbacks adjacent to a 16-foot or wider alley or canal may be measured from the centerline of that alley or canal, up to a maximum credit of 10 feet [Section 11-5-3(A)(3)].
Allowed Encroachments
The City of Mesa permits certain architectural features to project into the required setbacks:
- Eaves and Awnings: These may encroach up to 3 feet into any required yard [Section 11-5-3(B)(2)(A)(ii)].
- Bay Windows and Chimneys: These wall projections may encroach up to 3 feet into front or rear yards and 2 feet into side yards, provided they do not exceed one-third of the length of the building wall [Section 11-5-3(B)(2)(A)(iii)].
- Porches and Balconies: Attached open porches, patios, or balconies may encroach up to 10 feet into a required rear yard [Section 11-5-3(B)(2)(A)(5)].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-5-1: Purpose (Residential Districts)
- Table 11-5-3.A.1: Development Standards - RS Residential Single Dwelling Districts
- Section 11-5-3(A): Reductions to Lot Area and Additional Lot Width
- Section 11-5-3(B): Site Planning and Design Standards