Off-Street Parking Standards for the LC District in Mesa, Arizona
In the City of Mesa Limited Commercial (LC) district, residential developments typically require 2.1 spaces per dwelling unit, although significant reductions are available for projects located within one-quarter mile of rapid transit. Most commercial uses in the City of Mesa LC district follow a standard ratio of one space per 375 square feet of gross floor area, though high-intensity uses like restaurants require significantly higher ratios of one space per 75 square feet. Parking facilities in this district are prohibited within required front yard setbacks and must be set back at least 15 feet from street-facing property lines [Table 11-6-3.A].
Residential Parking Requirements in the LC District
Residential uses in the City of Mesa Limited Commercial (LC) district are generally permitted only when part of a mixed-use project or through a discretionary permit process [Table 11-6-2]. The number of required spaces varies based on the specific type of residential use and its proximity to transit stations.
| Use Classification | Minimum Parking Standard |
|---|---|
| Single Residence (Attached) | 2 spaces per dwelling (tandem parking may be allowed with approval) |
| Multiple Residence (Typical) | 2.1 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multiple Residence (Near Transit) | (Within 1/4 mile of BRT or light rail): |
| - 9 or fewer units | 1.4 spaces per unit |
| - 10 to 25 units | 1.3 spaces per unit |
| - 26 or more units | 1.2 spaces per unit |
| Live-Work Units | 2.1 spaces per unit |
| Assisted Living Home (5-10 residents) | 1.2 spaces per unit (distinguishable units) or 1.0 per room |
| Nursing & Convalescent Homes | 1 space per 400 square feet |
[Table 11-32-3.A]
Commercial Parking Ratios in the LC District
Commercial projects within the City of Mesa Limited Commercial (LC) district must provide parking based on the specific intensity and nature of the business.
| Commercial Use Category | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| General Retail, Office, & Services | 1 space per 375 square feet |
| Medical and Dental Offices | 1 space per 200 square feet |
| Restaurants (No Drive-Through) | 1 space per 75 sq. ft. (indoor) + 1 per 200 sq. ft. (outdoor) |
| Restaurants (With Drive-Through) | 1 space per 100 sq. ft. (indoor) + 1 per 200 sq. ft. (outdoor) |
| Banks & Financial Institutions | 1 space per 375 square feet |
| Hotels and Motels | 1 space per room/suite + additional for ancillary uses |
| Data Centers | 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. (first 200k) + 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. (thereafter) |
| Plant Nurseries & Garden Centers | 1 space per 375 sq. ft. of sales/service building (min. 4 spaces) |
[Table 11-32-3.A]
Parking Facility Design and Location
The City of Mesa enforces specific design standards for all parking areas within the Limited Commercial (LC) district to ensure safety and aesthetic compatibility with the surrounding community.
Location and Setbacks
- Front Yard Restriction: Parking spaces and maneuvering areas shall not be located within the required front yard or corner side yard [Section 11-32-2(A)].
- Landscape Buffers: Setbacks for parking areas in the City of Mesa LC district must be landscaped according to Chapter 33. The minimum setback for parking structures is 15 feet [Table 11-6-3.A].
- Separation from Buildings: Parking spaces must be located behind buildings. If physical attributes prevent this, a property owner may seek alternative compliance [Section 11-6-3.B(4)(d)].
Dimensions and Maneuvering
Standard stall dimensions are determined by the angle of the parking provided. For the most common 90-degree parking:
- Stall Width: 9 feet.
- Stall Depth: 18 feet.
- Two-Way Aisle Width: 24 feet.
[Table 11-32-2-H-1]
Compact and Motorcycle Parking
- Compact Spaces: On sites with at least 10 required spaces, up to 20% of the total may be compact (8' x 16'). These must be designated with signs or markings and clustered in groups of no more than nine [Section 11-32-2(D)].
- Motorcycle/Scooter: For any nonresidential use providing 50 or more spaces, a portion of the required parking may be redesigned for motorcycles/scooters [Section 11-32-8(B)].
Special Credits and Reductions
The City of Mesa provides mechanisms to reduce the total number of off-street parking spaces required for Limited Commercial (LC) projects under specific circumstances.
- On-Street Parking Credit: In the Limited Commercial (LC) district, one on-street parking space located immediately adjacent to the property frontage may be substituted for each required off-street space for non-residential uses [Section 11-32-3(F)].
- Shared Parking: An Administrative Use Permit (AUP) may be approved to allow shared parking between different nonresidential uses or mixed-use projects with different peak parking periods [Section 11-32-5].
- Transit Reductions: Beyond the specific multi-family ratios, most non-residential uses can receive a 5% to 10% reduction in total required spaces if located within a specified radius of a light rail station or bus rapid transit stop [Section 11-32-6(C)].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-6-1: Purpose (Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
- Section 11-6-2: Land Use Regulations (Commercial Districts)
- Section 11-6-3: Development Standards (Commercial Districts)
- 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 11-32-6: Parking Reductions
- Section 11-32-8: Bicycle and Motorcycle Parking