Off-Street Parking Requirements for Mesa Residential Single Dwelling (RS) Districts
In the City of Mesa Residential Single Dwelling (RS) Districts, detached or attached single residences are required to provide a minimum of two off-street parking spaces per unit. Commercial or non-residential projects permitted via special authorization in these districts must generally provide between one space per 75 square feet to one space per 375 square feet depending on the specific use, while Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are entirely exempt from additional parking requirements [Table 11-32-3.A].
Residential Parking Requirements
The City of Mesa establishes specific counts for residential uses within the RS-6, 7, 9, 15, 35, 43, and 90 districts. While the standard requirement is two spaces, the Zoning Administrator has the authority to approve tandem parking configurations for these single-family residences [Table 11-32-3.A].
| Use Classification | Minimum Parking Standard |
|---|---|
| Single Residence (Detached or Attached) | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | No parking space required |
| Residential Care, General (Nursing Home, Hospice) | 1.0 space per room or Dwelling Unit plus 2 additional spaces |
| Bed and Breakfast Inns | 1.0 space per room or Dwelling Unit plus 2 additional spaces |
| Live-Work Units | 2.1 spaces per unit |
Commercial and Non-Residential Parking Requirements
Certain commercial and public uses may be located within the City of Mesa Residential Single Dwelling (RS) Districts, typically requiring a Special Use Permit (SUP) or Council Use Permit (CUP) [Section 11-5-2]. These projects must adhere to the following ratios:
| Commercial/Non-Residential Use | Minimum Parking Standard |
|---|---|
| General Offices, Retail, and Services | 1 space per 375 square feet |
| Medical/Dental Offices and Outpatient Clinics | 1 space per 200 square feet |
| Day Care Centers | 1 space per 375 square feet |
| Restaurants, Full or Limited Service (Indoor) | 1 space per 75 square feet of indoor area |
| Restaurants (Outdoor Seating) | 1 space per 200 square feet of outdoor area |
| Places of Worship / Schools (K-12 Private) | 1 space per 200 square feet (High School) or per assembly capacity |
Design and Development Standards
The City of Mesa enforces specific design regulations to ensure that parking areas do not negatively impact the character of Residential Single Dwelling (RS) Districts.
Location and Paving
- Yard Restrictions: Required parking spaces and maneuvering areas cannot be located within the required Front Yard of any Single Residence District or in any required front or corner Side Yard [Section 11-32-2.A].
- Paving Exemption: While most districts require asphalt or concrete paving, the City of Mesa grants an exemption for Single Residence and Agricultural uses, meaning these residential parking areas are not strictly required to use those specific materials [Section 11-32-2.C.1].
- Maneuvering: Vehicles must be able to approach a street or alley in a forward motion. This regulation, however, does not apply to Single-Family Residences served by individual driveways [Section 11-32-4.G.1.c].
Garage and Carport Dimensions
For projects in the Residential Single Dwelling (RS) Districts that include covered parking, the City of Mesa defines the following minimum interior dimensions [Section 11-32-4.E, 11-32-4.F]:
| Structure Type | Minimum Interior Width | Minimum Interior Length |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Carport (Single-car) | 10 feet | 20 feet |
| Residential Carport (Double-car) | 18 feet | 20 feet |
| Enclosed Garage (Single-car) | 10 feet | 22 feet |
| Enclosed Garage (Double-car) | 20 feet | 22 feet |
| Enclosed Garage (Tandem) | 10 feet | 44 feet |
Vehicle Limitations
- Commercial Vehicles: It is prohibited to park or store any commercial vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) exceeding 13,000 pounds overnight on any residential lot in the City of Mesa [Section 11-32-2.B].
- Recreational Vehicles (RVs): In RS districts, RVs may be parked in the Side Yard (behind the front line of the dwelling) or the Rear Yard. If an RV parked in a Side Yard exceeds 6 feet in height, it must be screened from the public street by a 6-foot high opaque fence [Section 11-34-5.B.3.c.iii].
Sections Cited
- 11-3-1: Districts Established
- 11-5-2: Residential Land Use Regulations
- 11-31-3: Accessory Dwelling Unit
- 11-32-1: Purpose and Applicability
- 11-32-2: General Regulations and Standards
- 11-32-3: Parking Spaces Required
- 11-32-4: Parking Area Design
- 11-34-5: General Provisions (Recreational Vehicles)