Setback Requirements for Mesa Residential Multiple Dwelling (RM) Districts

In the City of Mesa, front setbacks for the RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, and RM-5 districts are primarily determined by the classification of the adjacent street, ranging from 20 to 30 feet. For projects with three or more units, the City of Mesa requires an interior side and rear setback of 20 feet for single-story buildings or 15 feet per story for multi-story buildings. Specific reductions to 0 or 5 feet are permitted for detached or attached single-residence dwellings within these multiple-dwelling zones [Table 11-5-5].

Standard Yard Requirements for RM Districts

The City of Mesa establishes yard requirements based on the number of units on the lot and the height of the structures. These standards apply to the RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, and RM-5 districts, including those with the "U" (Urban) character designator.

Minimum Setback Requirements (Side and Rear)

Condition	Interior Side Setback	Rear Setback
3 or more units on lot (Single Story)	20 feet	20 feet
3 or more units on lot (Multi-Story)	15 feet per story	15 feet per story
2 units on lot	10 feet	15 feet
Single-Residence Detached	5 feet	15 feet
Single-Residence Attached	0 feet	15 feet

[Table 11-5-5]

Front and Street-Facing Side Setbacks

In the City of Mesa RM districts, the front setback is not a single fixed number but fluctuates based on the functional classification of the street as identified in the Mesa Transportation Plan.

Street Classification	Minimum Setback
6-lane arterial	30 feet
4-lane arterial	20 feet
Collector street	25 feet
Local street	20 feet
Freeways	30 feet

Note for Urban (-U) Districts: For RM-3U and RM-4U districts, the City of Mesa applies the NC-U standards, which may allow significantly reduced setbacks to encourage a pedestrian-oriented street wall [Table 11-5-5].

Transition and Supplemental Setback Rules

The City of Mesa enforces stricter setback rules when high-density residential developments are located near less intensive residential zones or specific infrastructure.

Setbacks Adjacent to Single Residence (RS) Districts

When an RM-zoned lot is adjacent to an RS District, the City of Mesa requires increased protection for the lower-density neighborhood:

Single-story buildings: Must be set back at least 25 feet from the RS District property line.
Multi-story buildings: Must provide a minimum of 15 feet of setback for each story (e.g., a two-story building requires 30 feet; a three-story building requires 45 feet).
RM-5 Exception: In the RM-5 district, the minimum transition setback is capped at 25 feet regardless of the number of stories [Section 11-5-5(A)(1)(a)].
Landscaping Requirement: At least 20 feet of the transition setback depth must be landscaped and remain free of parking and driveways [Section 11-5-5(A)(1)(a)].

Canal and End Unit Setbacks

Canal Setbacks: A minimum building setback of 15 feet is required along property lines that abut a canal [Section 11-5-5(A)(1)(b)].
Attached Single Residences: While internal units may have a 0-foot side setback, the end units of a row of attached residences must maintain an interior side yard of at least 10 feet [Section 11-5-5(A)(1)(c)(i)].

Building Separation on a Single Lot

When multiple buildings are constructed on a single lot in the City of Mesa, they must maintain minimum separation distances to ensure safety and privacy.

Building Type	Minimum Separation
One-story building	25 feet
Two-story building	30 feet
Three-story building	35 feet
Detached covered parking canopies	20 feet