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Setback and Building Placement Requirements for Transect 5 Districts in Mesa, AZ

Jurisdiction: MesaCode Version: July 2025

In the City of Mesa, Transect 5 districts (T5N, T5MSF, and T5MS) utilize a combination of Build-to Lines (BTL) for building facades and minimum setbacks for side and rear property lines. The T5N and T5MSF districts require building facades to be placed within a 0 to 15-foot or 0 to 10-foot range from the front property line respectively, while the T5MS district mandates a strict 0-foot maximum front build-to line. Parking setbacks in these Mesa districts are significantly deeper, reaching up to 50 feet for ground-floor parking in the Main Street (T5MS) zone.

T5N: Transect 5 Neighborhood Standards

The T5N district in the City of Mesa is intended to provide medium-density residential building types, such as townhouses and mansion apartments, within walking distance of transit [Section 11-58-8]. Building placement in the T5N district is governed by specific Build-to Lines and setbacks to ensure a consistent street wall.

Building Placement and Setbacks for T5N

Feature Requirement
Front Build-to Line (BTL) 0 ft. min.; 15 ft. max.
Side Street Build-to Line (BTL) 0 ft. min.; 15 ft. max.
Side Setback (Interior) 0 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to T5N, T4N, or T3N) 5 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to All Other Transect Zones) 0 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to Alley) 0 ft. min.

Parking Setbacks for T5N

Parking Location Requirement
Front Setback 30 ft. min.
Side Street Setback 0 ft. min. from BTL
Side Setback 0 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to T4N or T3N) 5 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to all other Zones/Alleys) 0 ft. min.

T5MSF: Transect 5 Main Street Flex Standards

The T5MSF district in Mesa, Arizona, serves as a transition area allowing for a mixture of ground-floor uses, including live/work and residential, that can evolve into commercial spaces over time [Section 11-58-9]. The building placement standards are slightly more restrictive regarding the maximum distance from the street compared to the T5N zone.

Building Placement and Setbacks for T5MSF

Feature Requirement
Front Build-to Line (BTL) 0 ft. min.; 10 ft. max.
Side Street Build-to Line (BTL) 0 ft. min.; 10 ft. max.
Side Setback (Interior) 0 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to T5N, T4N, or T3N) 5 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to All Other Transect Zones) 0 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to Alley) 0 ft. min.

Parking Setbacks for T5MSF

Parking Location Requirement
Front Setback 30 ft. min.
Side Street Setback 0 ft. min. (from BTL)
Side Setback 0 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to T5N, T4N, or T3N) 5 ft. min.
Rear Setback (Adjacent to all other Zones/Alleys) 0 ft. min.

T5MS: Transect 5 Main Street Standards

The T5MS district is designed to integrate medium-intensity vertical mixed-use developments near Mesa's transit stops and pedestrian-oriented urban areas [Section 11-58-10]. This district requires the highest level of street engagement, mandating that buildings be placed directly at the property line.

Building Placement and Setbacks for T5MS

Feature Requirement
Front Build-to Line (BTL) 0 ft. max.
Side Street Build-to Line (BTL) 0 ft. max.
Side Setback (Interior) 0 ft. min.
Rear Setback 0 ft. min.

Parking Setbacks for T5MS

Parking Location Ground Floor Requirement Upper Floors Requirement
Front Setback 50 ft. min. 30 ft. min.
Side Street Setback 30 ft. min. 0 ft. min.
Side Setback 0 ft. min. 0 ft. min.
Rear Setback 0 ft. min. 0 ft. min.

Additional Placement Regulations

In all Transect 5 districts in the City of Mesa, the following supplemental rules apply:

  • Contextual Alignment: If existing adjacent buildings are located in front of the regulated Build-to Line, a new building may be aligned with the facade of the front-most immediately adjacent property [Section 11-58-11].
  • Corner Lots: On corner lots, the Build-to Line must be defined by a building for at least the first 50 feet from the corner [Section 11-58-10].
  • Garage Screening: All garages must be screened from the front and the side street by habitable space [Section 11-58-8, 11-58-9, 11-58-10].
  • Alley Access: Parking access should be primarily from an alley when one is available [Section 11-58-10].

Sections Cited

  • Section 11-58-8: T5 Neighborhood (T5N) Standards
  • Section 11-58-9: T5 Main Street Flex (T5MSF) Standards
  • Section 11-58-10: T5 Main Street (T5MS) Standards
  • Section 11-58-11: T6 Main Street (T6MS) Standards (referenced for specific T5-related footnotes)

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