Public and Semi-Public (PS) Zoning District in Mesa, Arizona
The Public and Semi-Public (PS) zoning district in the City of Mesa is established to accommodate large-scale governmental, public utility, recreational, and educational facilities. While the PS District has no minimum site area requirements, buildings are restricted to a maximum height of 60 feet (reduced to 30 feet when near specific residential zones) and must provide a 6-foot-high screening wall whenever the property abuts a residential or downtown residence district. Facilities owned, leased, or operated by government agencies or school districts are generally permitted by right, while more intensive uses like hospitals and airports require a Council Use Permit.
Purpose and Intent of the PS District
The primary objective of the PS District in the City of Mesa is to provide a dedicated space for public entities while ensuring that these large-scale uses remain compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. The City of Mesa uses this designation to recognize public-use facilities, ensure high-quality development, and encourage the use of sustainable development practices [Section 11-10-1].
Permitted and Conditional Land Uses
Land use in the Mesa PS District is categorized based on whether the use is permitted by right ("P"), requires a Council Use Permit ("CUP"), or requires a Special Use Permit ("SUP"). Notably, any facility owned or operated by the City of Mesa, Maricopa County, the State of Arizona, or federal agencies is considered a permitted use [Section 11-10-2].
| Use Classification | Permission Level | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Community Gardens | P | Section 11-31-10 |
| Cemeteries | P | — |
| Community Center | P | Subject to location limits |
| Cultural Institutions | P | — |
| Government Offices | P | — |
| Public Safety/Maintenance Facilities | P | — |
| Schools, Public (K-12 and Higher Ed) | P | Section 11-31-24 |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit | P | Section 11-31-3 |
| Hospitals and Clinics | CUP | Section 11-31-15 |
| Schools, Private (K-12 and Higher Ed) | CUP | Section 11-31-24 |
| Airports and Heliports | CUP | Subject to AOA restrictions |
| Utilities, Major | CUP | — |
| Utilities, Minor | P | — |
| Temporary Outdoor Entertainment/Sales | TUP | Section 11-31-30 |
Note on Airport Overflight Areas (AOA): In the City of Mesa, certain uses in the PS District are prohibited or restricted if the property is located within an Airport Overflight Area or Runway Protection Zone. For instance, most new construction is not permitted in AOA 1 or AOA 2 without specific approval [Table 11-10-2].
Development Standards
The City of Mesa enforces specific dimensional standards for the PS District to maintain a consistent urban form and protect the privacy of adjacent residential areas.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Site Area | None |
| Maximum Building Height | 60 feet (30 feet if within 60 feet of RS, RSL, or DR-1 districts) |
| Front Setback: 6-Lane Arterial | 30 feet |
| Front Setback: 4-Lane Arterial | 20 feet |
| Front Setback: Collector Street | 25 feet |
| Front Setback: Local Street | 20 feet |
| Interior Side/Rear Setback (Site < 5 acres) | 20 feet (Adjacent to RS District) |
| Interior Side/Rear Setback (Site $\ge$ 5 acres) | 25 feet (Adjacent to RS District) |
| Interior Side/Rear Setback (Adjacent to RM) | 20 feet (1-story); 15 feet per story (Multi-story) |
| Minimum Building Separation (Same Lot) | 25 feet (1-story); 30 feet (2-story); 35 feet (3+ story) |
Buffer and Screening Requirements
The City of Mesa requires that any lot in the PS District that abuts a residential ("R") or Downtown Residence ("DR") district must install a 6-foot-high masonry screening wall at the time of development. Furthermore, if a PS-zoned lot abuts an RS or DR-1 district, a landscape buffer with a minimum width of 15 feet must be provided on the PS-zoned property [Section 11-10-3(A)].
Parking Requirements
Off-street parking in the Mesa PS District is determined by the specific use of the facility. Common ratios include:
- Public Safety Facilities (Police): 1 space per 300 square feet, plus 1 space per 75 square feet of any community room [Table 11-32-3.A].
- Fire Stations: 1 space per bed, plus 1 space per 75 square feet of any community room [Table 11-32-3.A].
- Schools (K-9): 1 space per 75 feet for public assembly space (such as auditoriums) and 1 space per 600 square feet for all other areas [Table 11-32-3.A].
Review of Plans
All development in the PS District is subject to administrative or public hearing review. Administrative use permits and Special Use Permits are processed according to the procedures established in Article 7 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance [Section 11-10-4].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-10-1: Purpose and Intent
- Section 11-10-2: Land Use Regulations
- Section 11-10-3: Development Standards
- Section 11-10-4: Review of Plans
- Section 11-31-3: Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Section 11-31-10: Community Gardens
- Section 11-31-15: Hospitals and Clinics
- Section 11-31-24: Schools
- Section 11-31-30: Temporary Uses
- Section 11-32-3: Parking Spaces Required
- Table 11-10-2: Public and Semi-Public District Land Use
- Table 11-10-3: Development Standards - PS District
- Table 11-32-3.A: Required Parking Spaces By Use