MX: Mixed Use District Regulations in Mesa, Arizona
The MX Mixed Use District in the City of Mesa is designed to provide high-intensity environments that integrate employment centers, retail, and service commercial uses with residential components. The City of Mesa allows residential densities in this district typically ranging from 15 to 25 units per acre, though higher densities may be permitted in specific locations designated by the General Plan [Section 11-6-1].
Purpose of the MX Mixed Use District
The primary objective of the MX Mixed Use District is to allow for a variety of purposes including employment centers and retail, while supporting mixed-use development that reduces reliance on automobiles. The City of Mesa uses this designation to implement urban forms that contribute to the pedestrian environment, ensuring ground-floor visibility and shaded connectivity [Section 11-6-1].
Land Use Regulations for the MX District
In the City of Mesa, land uses within the MX Mixed Use District are classified as Permitted (P), permitted with a Council Use Permit (CUP), permitted with a Special Use Permit (SUP), or permitted with a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). If a use is marked with a dash (—), it is prohibited [Section 11-6-2].
Residential Use Classifications
| Proposed Use | MX Permission Level | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Single Residence - Attached | CUP/P | Min. density of 15 units/acre [Note 16] |
| Multiple Residence | P | Subject to Chapter 81 [Note 21, 22] |
| Assisted Living Home (5-10 residents) | CUP/P | Section 11-31-14 [Note 16, 19, 20] |
| Assisted Living Center (>10 residents) | CUP/P | Section 11-31-28 [Note 22] |
| Boarding House | SUP | Section 11-31-31 [Note 19, 20] |
| Family Community Residence | CUP/P | Section 11-31-31 [Note 19, 20] |
| Transitional Community Residence | CUP/P | Section 11-31-14 [Note 19, 20] |
| Home Occupation | P | Section 11-31-33 [Note 23] |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit | P | Section 11-31-3 [Note 30] |
Public and Semi-Public Use Classifications
| Proposed Use | MX Permission Level | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Community Gardens | P | Section 11-31-10 |
| Cultural Institutions | P | [Note 19, 22] |
| Day Care Centers | P | [Note 19, 22] |
| Government Offices | P | [Note 2] |
| Clinics | P | Section 11-31-15 [Note 19, 20] |
| Nursing and Convalescent Homes | CUP/P | Section 11-31-28 [Note 22] |
| Parks and Recreation Facilities, Public | P | — |
| Places of Worship | P | Section 11-31-22 [Note 19, 22] |
| Public Safety Facilities | P | — |
| Schools, Colleges, and Trade Schools (Public) | P | — |
| Schools, Colleges, and Trade Schools (Private) | P | Section 11-31-24 [Note 21, 22] |
| K-12 (Private) | CUP | Section 11-31-24 [Note 19, 20] |
| Social Service Facilities | — | Prohibited |
Commercial Use Classifications
| Proposed Use | MX Permission Level | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Small Animal Day Care | SUP | [Note 4, 7] |
| Pet Stores | SUP | [Note 4, 7] |
| Veterinary Services | P | [Note 4, 7] |
| Artists' Studios | P | — |
| Bars/Clubs/Lounges | P | — |
| Coffee Shops/Cafes | P | — |
| Restaurants (Full or Limited Service) | P | — |
| Commercial Entertainment | P | [Note 19, 22] |
| Commercial Recreation (Small-Scale) | SUP | — |
| Convenience Market | P | Section 11-31-11 [Note 13] |
| General Market | P | Section 11-31-16 |
| Funeral Parlors and Mortuaries | P | [Note 18] |
| Hotels and Motels | P | [Note 21, 22] |
| Large Commercial Development | CUP | Section 11-31-16 [Note 7] |
| Live-Work Unit | P | Section 11-31-17 [Note 7, 19, 20] |
| Personal Services | P | — |
| Pawn Shops | — | Prohibited |
Employment and Industrial Use Classifications
| Proposed Use | MX Permission Level | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Research and Development | P | — |
| Manufacturing, Limited | P | — |
| Data Center | P | Section 11-31-36 [Note 1] |
| Warehouse and Storage (Wholesale) | — | Prohibited |
| Mini-Storage | CUP | [Note 7] |
[Table 11-6-2]
Specific Prohibited Uses in the MX District
The following uses are explicitly prohibited in the MX Mixed Use District by the City of Mesa:
- Industrial Trade Schools: Both private and public [Table 11-6-2].
- Social Service Facilities: Not permitted within this classification [Table 11-6-2].
- Kennels: Animal boarding is not allowed [Table 11-6-2].
- Automobile/Vehicle Services: This includes Automobile Rentals, Sales, Leasing, and both Major and Minor Repair facilities [Table 11-6-2].
- Large-Scale Commercial Recreation: Facilities exceeding 50,000 square feet are not permitted [Table 11-6-2].
- Wholesale Operations: Warehousing and storage for wholesale are prohibited [Table 11-6-2].
- Accessory Fuel Sales: These are specifically not permitted in the MX or OC districts [Note 13, page 44].
Accessory and Temporary Use Permissions
The City of Mesa allows certain temporary activities in the MX Mixed Use District subject to a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). These include:
- Temporary Outdoor Entertainment: TUP required [Section 11-31-30].
- Temporary Outdoor Sales: TUP required [Section 11-31-30].
- Portable Storage Containers: Permitted (P) subject to Section 11-30-16 [Table 11-6-2].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-6-1: Purpose (Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
- Section 11-6-2: Land Use Regulations (Table 11-6-2)
- Section 11-30-16: Portable Storage Containers
- Section 11-31-3: Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Section 11-31-11: Convenience Markets
- Section 11-31-14: Community Residences
- Section 11-31-15: Hospitals and Clinics
- Section 11-31-16: Large Commercial Development
- Section 11-31-17: Live-Work Units
- Section 11-31-22: Places of Worship
- Section 11-31-24: Schools
- Section 11-31-28: Assisted Living Centers
- Section 11-31-30: Temporary Uses
- Section 11-31-31: Residential Uses in Commercial Districts
- Section 11-31-33: Home Occupations
- Section 11-31-36: Data Centers