Off-Street Parking Requirements for the Downtown Core (DC) District
In the Downtown Core (DC) district of the City of Mesa, off-street parking is regulated to prioritize a high-intensity, vibrant urban environment by discouraging open surface parking and encouraging the use of covered multi-level parking structures. For non-residential projects, the City of Mesa allows for significant reductions in required off-street parking through on-street parking credits and specific exemptions for small-scale ground-floor uses.
General Parking Standards for the DC District
The City of Mesa identifies the Downtown Core (DC) as a focal point for high-intensity land uses. Consequently, the design and location of all parking facilities are subject to review and approval by the Planning & Zoning Board through a site plan review [Section 11-8-6(C)].
Key procedural and design standards for the City of Mesa DC district include:
- Encouragement of Structures: Covered multi-level parking structures are the preferred method for meeting parking demands; open surface parking is explicitly discouraged [Section 11-8-6(C)(1)].
- Shared Parking: Differing commercial and mixed-use projects may share parking spaces if their peak operating hours do not overlap, subject to an Administrative Use Permit and a recorded agreement [Section 11-32-5].
- Off-Site Parking: Required parking may be provided off-site in an approved facility if it is located within 1,200 feet of the non-residential use it serves [Section 11-8-7(A)(1)].
Specific Parking Ratios
The following table outlines the minimum off-street parking requirements for common uses within the Downtown Core (DC) district.
| Use Classification | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residential (Multiple Residence) | 2.1 spaces per Dwelling Unit [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | 0 spaces (No parking required) [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| General Office, Retail, and Services | 1 space per 375 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Restaurant (Full Service) | 1 space per 75 sq. ft. indoor area; 1 space per 200 sq. ft. outdoor seating [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Hospitals | 1 space per 400 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Hotels and Motels | 1 space per room or suite plus ancillary use requirements [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Data Center | 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. for first 200,000 sq. ft.; 1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. thereafter [Table 11-32-3.A] |
Parking Reductions and Credits
The City of Mesa provides specific mechanisms to reduce the burden of off-street parking for developments within the Downtown Core (DC) district:
On-Street Parking Credit
For non-residential uses, on-street parking spaces located immediately adjacent to the frontage of a property in the DC district may be counted toward the required off-street parking total. One on-street space may be substituted for each required off-street space [Section 11-32-3(F)].
Small-Scale Use Exemptions
In high-intensity urban contexts like the Downtown Core, the following exemptions apply:
- Residential Exemption: No parking spaces are required for the first 2,000 square feet of residential use [Table 11-58-11, Footnote 9].
- Ground Floor Non-Residential: No parking spaces are required for ground-floor, non-residential uses that occupy less than 5,000 square feet [Table 11-58-11, Footnote 10].
Bicycle Parking Substitutions
In the Downtown Core, projects may substitute up to 50% of required full-size vehicle parking spaces with a combination of golf-cart spaces, motorcycle/scooter spaces, or bicycle parking [Section 11-32-8(G)].
Parking Design and Dimensions
All parking spaces in the City of Mesa must meet standard dimensions unless specifically designated as "compact."
| Space Type | Stall Width | Stall Depth (at 90°) | Aisle Width (Two-Way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 9' 0" | 18' 0" | 24' 0" |
| Compact | 8' 0" | 16' 0" | 24' 0" |
Note: Compact spaces are permitted for up to 20% of the total required spaces on sites with at least 10 required spots [Section 11-32-2(D) and Table 11-32-2-H-1].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-8-1: Purpose (Downtown Districts)
- Section 11-8-6: Development Standards—Downtown Core District
- Section 11-8-7: Supplemental Regulations for all Downtown Districts
- Section 11-32-2: General Regulations and Standards (Parking)
- Section 11-32-3: Parking Spaces Required
- Section 11-32-5: Shared Parking
- Section 11-32-8: Bicycle and Motorcycle Parking
- Section 11-58-11: T6 Main Street (T6MS) Standards