Places of Worship and Religious Assembly in Mesa
The City of Mesa Zoning Ordinance permits places of worship as a allowed use in nearly every primary zoning district, including Agricultural, Residential, Commercial, and Downtown districts. While generally permitted by right, these facilities are subject to specific supplemental regulations regarding accessory buildings, parking ratios of one space per 75 square feet of assembly area, and compatibility with residential setbacks.
Permitted Zoning Districts
Under the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, "Places of Worship" are broadly accommodated across various character areas of the City of Mesa. The following table outlines the permission levels for religious assembly by district:
| District Group | Specific Zoning Districts | Permission Status |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural | AG | Permitted [Table 11-4-2] |
| Residential | RS, RSL, RM-2, RM-3, RM-4 | Permitted [Table 11-5-2] |
| Residential | RM-5 | Prohibited [Table 11-5-2, Note 9] |
| Commercial | NC, LC, GC, OC | Permitted [Table 11-6-2] |
| Mixed-Use | MX | Permitted [Table 11-6-2] |
| Industrial/Employment | PEP, LI | Permitted [Table 11-7-2] |
| Industrial/Employment | GI, HI | Prohibited [Table 11-7-2] |
| Downtown | DR-1, DR-2, DR-3, DB-1, DB-2, DC | Permitted [Table 11-8-3] |
| Public/Leisure | PS, LR | Permitted [Tables 11-10-2, 11-15-2] |
| Form-Based (Transect) | T3N, T4N, T4NF, T4MS, T5N, T5MSF, T5MS, T6MS | Permitted (Size limits apply) [Table 11-58-3.A] |
Supplemental Development Standards
The City of Mesa imposes additional requirements on religious facilities to ensure they integrate harmoniously with surrounding land uses. These standards are detailed in the supplemental regulations for specific uses.
Accessory Uses and Facilities
In the City of Mesa, a Place of Worship is permitted to include various related activities on the same or a contiguous lot. Permitted accessory uses include:
- Parish houses, parsonages, and rectories.
- Seminaries, classrooms, and convents [Section 11-31-22(A)].
- Athletic Facilities and Day Care: While these are allowed in conjunction with a religious facility, they require the approval of a Special Use Permit (SUP) [Section 11-31-22(B)].
Design and Setbacks
When a religious facility is located within a residential district, the City of Mesa requires that buildings be located within the standard required setbacks for that specific zoning district. Furthermore, the facility must comply with the design standards of the LC (Limited Commercial) district unless it is located in an area with an Urban (-U) or Auto-Oriented (-A) character designator [Section 11-31-22(C)].
Parking and Circulation
The Mesa Zoning Ordinance establishes specific parking requirements based on the intensity of the assembly use. For most religious institutions, the parking requirement is calculated based on the square footage of the primary assembly area.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Standard |
|---|---|
| Places of Worship | 1 space per 75 square feet used for public assembly [Table 11-32-3.A] |
| On-Street Parking Credit | On-street spaces adjacent to the lot may count toward the minimum in Transect Zones [Section 11-58-12(D)] |
Form-Based Code Considerations
In the Downtown and Pioneer/Temple neighborhoods governed by the Form-Based Code, the City of Mesa regulates the size and placement of religious assembly facilities differently. In these areas, facilities 5,000 square feet or smaller are generally permitted by right, while larger facilities may require an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) or a Special Use Permit (SUP) depending on the specific Transect Zone [Table 11-58-3.A].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-4-2 (Agricultural District Land Use Regulations)
- Section 11-5-2 (Residential Districts Land Use Regulations)
- Section 11-6-2 (Commercial Districts Land Use Regulations)
- Section 11-7-2 (Employment Districts Land Use Regulations)
- Section 11-8-3 (Downtown Districts Land Use Regulations)
- Section 11-10-2 (Public and Semi-Public District Land Use Regulations)
- Section 11-15-2 (Leisure and Recreation District Land Use Regulations)
- Section 11-31-22 (Places of Worship Supplemental Regulations)
- Section 11-32-3 (Parking Spaces Required)
- Section 11-58-3.A (Composite Use Table - Form-Based Code)
- Section 11-58-12 (Additional Standards for All Transect Zones)