Mesa Zoning Requirements for Gymnasiums and Fitness Centers
In the City of Mesa, gymnasiums and fitness centers are primarily categorized under "Commercial Recreation" or "Health/Fitness Facilities." These uses are permitted by right in Limited Commercial (LC), General Commercial (GC), and specific Employment and Downtown districts, while others require a Special Use Permit (SUP) or Administrative Use Permit (AUP) depending on the size of the facility and the specific transect zone. Most facilities of this type require one parking space per 100 square feet of floor area.
Permitted Zoning Districts for Fitness and Recreation
The City of Mesa Zoning Ordinance regulates gymnasiums and health clubs based on the intensity of the district and the scale of the facility. "Small-scale" facilities generally include those under 50,000 square feet in building area, while "large-scale" refers to those exceeding that threshold [Section 11-86-4].
Commercial and Employment Districts
In standard base zones, gymnasiums are most commonly located in commercial corridors.
| District Name | Small-Scale Recreation (e.g., Gyms) | Large-Scale Recreation |
|---|---|---|
| NC: Neighborhood Commercial | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| LC: Limited Commercial | Permitted (P) | Special Use Permit (SUP) |
| GC: General Commercial | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| OC: Office Commercial | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| MX: Mixed Use | Special Use Permit (SUP) | Prohibited |
| PEP: Planned Employment Park | Permitted (P) | Special Use Permit (SUP) |
| LI: Light Industrial | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P) |
| GI: General Industrial | Prohibited | Prohibited |
[Table 11-6-2, Table 11-7-2]
Downtown Districts
Within the City of Mesa Downtown area, fitness facilities are encouraged to support the urban core.
| District Name | Small-Scale Recreation | Large-Scale Recreation |
|---|---|---|
| DR-1, 2, 3: Downtown Residence | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| DB-1: Downtown Business 1 | Permitted (P) | Prohibited |
| DB-2: Downtown Business 2 | Permitted (P) | Prohibited |
| DC: Downtown Core | Permitted (P) | Permitted (P)* |
*Large-scale recreation in the Downtown Core is only permitted if all activities are conducted entirely within an enclosed building [Table 11-8-3, Note 5].
Form-Based Code (Transect Zones) Requirements
In areas of the City of Mesa governed by Article 6 (Form-Based Code), permissions are further refined by the specific indoor area of the facility [Table 11-58-3.A].
- Small Indoor (< 3,000 sf): Permitted (P) in T4NF, T4MS, T5MSF, T5MS, and T6MS.
- Medium Indoor (3,001 – 10,000 sf): Requires a Special Use Permit (SUP) in T4NF, T4MS, and T5MSF. It may be permitted via AUP or P in T5MS and T6MS depending on sub-area rules.
- Large Indoor (> 10,000 sf): Generally requires a Council Use Permit (CUP) across most applicable transects.
- Health/Fitness Facility (≤ 3,000 sf): Often requires an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) in T4NF, T4MS, T5MSF, and T6MS [Table 11-58-3.A].
Parking Standards for Gyms and Health Clubs
The City of Mesa establishes specific off-street parking ratios to ensure adequate space for patrons and to prevent overflow into residential neighborhoods.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Standard |
|---|---|
| Health space, clubs, and gyms | 1 space per 100 square feet |
| Tennis, handball, racquetball | 1 space per 100 sq. ft. (excluding courts) + 2 spaces per court |
| Bowling Centers | 5 spaces per lane + ancillary use requirements |
[Table 11-32-3.A]
Definitions of Use
To clarify what constitutes a gymnasium or fitness center under the City of Mesa Code:
- Health/Fitness Facility: A fitness center, gymnasium, or health and athletic club which may include exercise machines, weight facilities, group exercise rooms, saunas, spas, indoor tennis, handball, or racquetball [Section 11-86-3].
- Commercial Recreation Facility (Small Indoor): Includes facilities 3,000 square feet or less, such as exercise studios and gymnasiums [Section 11-86-5].
- Commercial Recreation Facility (Medium Indoor): Includes facilities greater than 3,000 square feet but less than 10,000 square feet [Section 11-86-5].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-6-2: Commercial Districts Land Use Regulations
- Section 11-7-2: Employment Districts Land Use Regulations
- Section 11-8-3: Downtown Districts Land Use Regulations
- Section 11-32-3: Parking Spaces Required
- Section 11-58-3: Form-Based Code Composite Use Table
- Section 11-86-3: Public and Semi-Public Use Classifications
- Section 11-86-4: Commercial Use Classifications
- Section 11-86-5: Employment and Industrial Use Classifications