Off-Street Parking Standards for Mesa Downtown Business Districts (DB-1 and DB-2)
In the City of Mesa, residential developments in the Downtown Business Districts (DB-1 and DB-2) typically require 2.1 parking spaces per unit, although significant reductions are available for projects located near major transit stations. Commercial requirements for these Mesa districts generally follow a ratio of one space per 375 square feet for office and retail uses, with options for on-street parking credits and shared parking agreements to encourage urban walkability.
General Parking Regulations for the DB Districts
The Downtown Business Districts in the City of Mesa are intended to promote a high-intensity, walkable urban environment. DB-1 is focused on general retailing, services, and medium-density residential uses, while DB-2 provides for intensive commercial and light manufacturing [Section 11-8-1].
Off-street parking and loading facilities in the City of Mesa must be constructed or installed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the uses they serve [Section 11-32-1]. For non-residential uses within the DB-1 and DB-2 districts, the City of Mesa allows one on-street parking space to be substituted for each required off-street space, provided the on-street spaces are located immediately adjacent to the property frontage [Section 11-32-3(F)].
Specific Parking Ratios by Use
The following table outlines the minimum off-street parking requirements for the most common uses found in the Mesa DB-1 and DB-2 districts.
| Use Category | City of Mesa Minimum Parking Standard |
|---|---|
| Residential Uses | |
| Single Residence (Detached/Attached) | 2 spaces per dwelling unit [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Multiple Residence (Typical) | 2.1 spaces per dwelling unit [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Multiple Residence (Within 1/4 mile of transit) | 1.4 per unit (9 or fewer units); 1.3 per unit (10-25 units); 1.2 per unit (26+ units) [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Live-Work Units | 2.1 spaces per unit [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Commercial & Office Uses | |
| General Offices, Retail, and Services | 1 space per 375 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Restaurants (Full or Limited Service) | 1 space per 75 sq. ft. (indoor) + 1 space per 200 sq. ft. (outdoor) [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Medical/Dental Offices | 1 space per 200 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Bank/Financial Institutions | 1 space per 375 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Hotels and Motels | 1 space per room/suite + requirements for ancillary uses [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Industrial & Specialized Uses | |
| Industrial / Manufacturing | 1 space per 600 square feet [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| Data Center | 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. (first 200k) + 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. thereafter [Table 11-32-3.A] |
Downtown Supplemental Regulations
The City of Mesa provides specialized rules for the Downtown area to support urban density and flexibility:
- Off-Site Parking: Required parking may be provided off-site in a privately or municipally owned parking garage or commercial lot. If leased, the lease term must be provided to the City upon request [Section 11-8-7(A)(1)].
- Shared Parking: Shared parking may be authorized through an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) for differing commercial and mixed-use projects if their peak parking demands occur at different times [Section 11-8-7(A)(2)].
- Interconnectivity: In the DB-1 and DB-2 districts, parking areas should be interconnected on-site to allow vehicular access between parcels and avoid numerous driveway cuts along street rights-of-way [Section 11-8-7(A)(4)].
- Loading: All non-residential uses must demonstrate the availability of convenient, paved space for loading and unloading within 300 feet of the site [Section 11-8-7(B)].
Parking Area Design Standards
All parking areas in the City of Mesa must meet specific dimensional requirements to ensure safety and functionality.
| Feature | Standard Dimension |
|---|---|
| Standard Stall Size (90°) | 9 feet wide by 18 feet deep [Table 11-32-2-H-1] |
| Two-Way Aisle Width (90°) | 24 feet [Table 11-32-2-H-1] |
| Compact Stall Size (90°) | 8 feet wide by 16 feet deep [Table 11-32-2.H.2] |
| One-Way Aisle Width (90°) | 21 feet [Table 11-32-2.H.2] |
Compact Parking: On sites with at least 10 required spaces, up to 20 percent of the total required parking spaces may be compact spaces [Section 11-32-2(D)]. Bicycle Parking: The City of Mesa requires most non-residential developments to provide at least 3 bicycle parking spaces or a ratio of 1 space per 10 on-site vehicle spaces, whichever is greater [Section 11-32-8].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-8-1: Purpose (Downtown Districts)
- Section 11-8-5: Development Standards—Downtown Business Districts
- Section 11-8-7: Supplemental Regulations for All Downtown Districts
- Section 11-2-3: Rules for Measurement
- 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 11-32-8: Bicycle and Motorcycle Parking