Off-Street Parking Requirements for the RM-2, 3, 4, and 5 Districts in Mesa, Arizona
In the RM-2, 3, 4, and 5 Residential Multiple Dwelling Districts, the City of Mesa generally requires 2.1 off-street parking spaces per typical multi-family dwelling unit, though this may be reduced to as low as 1.2 spaces per unit for projects located within one-quarter mile of high-frequency transit. Commercial and public service uses allowed within these districts, such as medical offices or day care centers, must provide parking at specific ratios ranging from one space per 200 square feet to one space per 375 square feet. All parking facilities in these City of Mesa districts must adhere to strict design standards, including a standard stall dimension of 9 feet by 18 feet and a prohibition against locating parking within required front yard setbacks [Section 11-32-2; Table 11-32-3.A].
Residential Parking Ratios
The City of Mesa prescribes specific parking minimums for residential uses within the RM-2, 3, 4, and 5 Districts. These requirements vary based on the specific type of dwelling and its proximity to major transit infrastructure.
| Use Classification | Minimum Parking Standard |
|---|---|
| Single Residence (Detached or Attached) | 2 spaces per dwelling (may be in tandem with Zoning Administrator approval) [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | No parking space required [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Multiple Residence (Typical) | 2.1 spaces per Dwelling Unit [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Multiple Residence (Near Transit) | (Within 1/4 mile of BRT or Light Rail): • 9 or fewer units: 1.4 spaces/unit • 10-25 units: 1.3 spaces/unit • 26+ units: 1.2 spaces/unit [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Live-Work Units | 2.1 spaces per unit [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Assisted Living Home (5-10 residents) | 1.2 spaces per unit for distinguishable units; or 1.0 per room + 2 additional spaces for congregate dining [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Boarding House | 1.2 spaces per Dwelling Unit [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Residential Care (General) | 1.0 space per room or unit plus 2 additional spaces [Table 11-32-3.A] |
Commercial and Public Use Parking Ratios
While the RM-2, 3, 4, and 5 Districts are primarily residential, the City of Mesa allows certain non-residential and commercial-supportive uses (often subject to a Special Use Permit). These uses must meet the following off-street parking requirements:
| Use Classification | Minimum Parking Standard |
|---|---|
| Medical and Dental Offices | 1 space per 200 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Day Care Centers | 1 space per 375 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| General Offices and Services | 1 space per 375 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Restaurants (Full/Limited Service) | 1 space per 75 sq. ft. (indoor area) and 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (outdoor seating) [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Cultural Institutions / Museums | 1 space per 250 square feet used for public assembly [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Places of Worship / Theaters | 1 space per 75 square feet used for public assembly [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Schools (K-12) | 1 space per 75 feet for public assembly space (auditoriums/theaters) and 1 space per 600 square feet for all other areas [Table 11-32-3.A] |
Parking Design and Development Standards
The City of Mesa enforces uniform design standards for all off-street parking areas in the RM-2, 3, 4, and 5 Districts to ensure safety and functionality.
Stall and Aisle Dimensions
Standard parking spaces must generally be 9 feet wide by 18 feet deep. Maneuvering aisles must meet the dimensions established for the angle of the parking provided [Section 11-32-2.H].
| Angle of Parking | Stall Width | Stall Depth | Two-Way Aisle Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90° (Perpendicular) | 9'0" | 18'0" | 24' |
| 60° | 9'0" | 21'0" | 24' |
| 45° | 9'0" | 19'10" | 24' |
| Parallel | 9'0" | 9'0" | 20' |
Location and Setbacks
- Yard Restrictions: Required parking spaces and maneuvering areas shall not be located within the required Front Yard of any RM-2, 3, 4, or 5 District [Section 11-32-2.A].
- Paving: All required parking spaces, maneuvering areas, and driveways must be paved with asphalt, concrete, or masonry [Section 11-32-2.C].
- Forward Motion: Parking areas must be designed so that all vehicles approach a street or alley in a forward motion (this rule does not apply to single-family residences served by individual driveways) [Section 11-32-2.C].
Specialized Parking Provisions
Compact Parking
On sites within the RM-2, 3, 4, and 5 Districts that have at least 10 required parking spaces, up to 20 percent of those spaces may be compact. Compact stalls must be at least 8 feet wide by 16 feet deep and must be clearly designated with signs or pavement markings [Section 11-32-2.D; Table 11-32-2.H.2].
Bicycle Parking
Multi-unit residential buildings and non-residential developments in the RM-2, 3, 4, and 5 Districts must provide bicycle parking. The requirement is at least 3 bicycle spaces or 1 bicycle space per 10 on-site vehicle parking spaces, whichever is greater [Section 11-32-8.A].
Shared Parking
For mixed-use projects or adjacent non-residential uses with different peak hours, an Administrative Use Permit may be sought to allow shared parking. Up to 100% of the parking required for one use may be supplied by the spaces of another use if it is demonstrated that their peak demands occur at different times [Section 11-32-5].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-5-2: Residential Districts Land Use Regulations
- Section 11-5-5: Development Standards for the RM District
- Section 11-32-1: Purpose and Applicability (Parking)
- Section 11-32-2: General Regulations and Standards (Parking)
- Section 11-32-3: Parking Spaces Required
- Section 11-32-4: Parking Area Design
- Section 11-32-5: Shared Parking
- Section 11-32-8: Bicycle and Motorcycle Parking
- Table 11-32-2-H-1: Standard Parking Space and Aisle Dimensions
- Table 11-32-3.A: Required Parking Spaces By Use