Permitted Zoning Districts for Professional and Medical Offices in Mesa
In the City of Mesa, professional and medical offices are primarily allowed by right in all Commercial (NC, LC, GC, OC, MX) and Employment (PEP, LI, GI) districts. While these uses are permitted in Residential districts (RS, RSL, RM) and Downtown Residence (DR) districts, they are strictly limited to a maximum of 2,000 square feet, must be located at specific street intersections, and require a Special Use Permit.
Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts
The City of Mesa identifies Commercial districts as the primary locations for office-based services. In these zones, "Business and Professional" and "Medical and Dental" offices are generally permitted by right, though specific development standards like floor area may trigger additional reviews.
- Neighborhood Commercial (NC): Intended for small-scale, locally oriented offices.
- Limited Commercial (LC) and General Commercial (GC): Allow for broader professional and medical services.
- Office Commercial (OC): Specifically designed to provide areas for small-scale medical and professional offices intended to be compatible with adjacent residential areas [Section 11-6-1].
- Mixed Use (MX): Supports employment centers and professional office uses as part of integrated developments.
Clinic Use Restrictions in Commercial Zones
While offices are permitted, "Clinics" (outpatient and urgent care) have specific limitations in the City of Mesa Commercial districts:
- Size: In Commercial districts, clinics are permitted by right if they occupy less than 5,000 square feet. If the floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet, a Special Use Permit (SUP) is required [Table 11-6-2, Note 2].
- Type: A Council Use Permit (CUP) is mandatory for plasma centers and substance abuse detoxification or treatment centers [Table 11-6-2, Note 3].
Employment and Industrial Districts
The City of Mesa allows professional and medical offices in most employment sectors to encourage a range of employment opportunities [Section 11-7-1].
- Planned Employment Park (PEP): Allows professional and medical offices in a campus-like setting.
- Light Industrial (LI) and General Industrial (GI): Allow business and professional offices by right.
- Heavy Industrial (HI): These uses are generally prohibited to preserve land for intense manufacturing.
Residential Districts
Professional and medical offices are highly restricted in Mesa's residential neighborhoods to protect the residential character. In Single Residence (RS), Small Lot (RSL), and Multiple Residence (RM) districts, these uses may only be allowed if they meet all of the following criteria [Table 11-5-2]:
- Approval: A Special Use Permit (SUP) must be granted.
- Location: The site must be coterminous to an intersection of an arterial street with a local or collector street.
- Scale: The aggregate maximum Gross Floor Area must be less than 2,000 square feet [Section 11-5-2, Note 10].
Downtown Districts
In the Downtown Business (DB-1, DB-2) and Downtown Core (DC) districts, professional and medical offices are permitted by right. In Downtown Residence (DR-1, DR-2, DR-3) districts, these uses require a Special Use Permit and are subject to the same 2,000-square-foot and location restrictions found in other residential zones [Table 11-8-3].
Technical Standards
All office and clinic developments in the City of Mesa must adhere to specific parking and height regulations.
Minimum Parking Requirements
| Use Classification | Minimum Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Medical/Dental Offices and Outpatient Clinics | 1 space per 200 square feet |
| General Offices, Retail, and Services | 1 space per 375 square feet |
| Hospitals | 1 space per 400 square feet |
Maximum Building Height
| District | Maximum Height (ft.) |
|---|---|
| Agricultural (AG) | 30 ft. |
| Residential (RS, RSL) | 30 ft. |
| Commercial (NC, LC, GC, OC) | 30 ft. |
| Employment (LI, GI, HI) | 40–50 ft. |
| Downtown Business (DB-1) | 50 ft. |
[Sources: Table 11-4-3, Table 11-5-3.A.1, Table 11-6-3.A, Table 11-7-3, Table 11-32-3.A]
Sections Cited
- Section 11-5-1: Purpose (Residential Districts)
- Section 11-5-2: Land Use Regulations (Residential Districts)
- Section 11-6-1: Purpose (Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
- Section 11-6-2: Land Use Regulations (Commercial Districts)
- Section 11-7-1: Purpose (Employment Districts)
- Section 11-7-2: Land Use Regulations (Employment Districts)
- Section 11-8-1: Purpose (Downtown Districts)
- Section 11-8-3: Land Use Regulations (Downtown Districts)
- Section 11-10-2: Land Use Regulations (Public and Semi-Public)
- Section 11-32-3: Parking Spaces Required
- Section 11-86-5: Employment and Industrial Use Classifications (Definitions)